Studio Ghibli (Part one)

There are a bunch of misfits and too-much-fits in the college who have one thing in common: Love for pop culture.

It was originally started out as just an Anime Club but the more people joined it, the more diverse it became. But I was new to all this. I’d seen a few anime here and there on Animax, and had read a few Manga as well. But I was strongly suggested to watch the movies of Studio Ghibli.

The first one that I watched was Tales From Earthsea

I picked this one totally randomly, and since I’d heard a lot about other movies like The Cat Returns, or Ponyo, or even My Neighbour Totoro, I decided to save them for last.

Tales From Earthsea is a fantasy movie, which explores the myth, or rather belief that humans and dragons were once “one”, until a human chose freedom and became dragons, or chose possessions and remained human.

The story is of a young prince named Arren, who killes his father, steals his sword and flees from the palace. Then he embarks on an journey with Archmage Sparrowhawk, and he meets Tenar and finds out that the girl he saved earlier was with her, Therru. They battle against Cob, another wizard.  And once again, dragons and humans become one.

That sums it up without any spoiler.

I didn’t know what to expect of Ghibli movies. All I’d ever heard was how dimple and yet how beautiful and moving the movies were. This was a good start. But I did expect it to be better.

I will admit, it got a little boring in the beginning. But there were parts which kept me on the edge.

What I didn’t understand was the significance of the two Dragons fighting each other, and one killing the other ultimately. I know it must mean something. Or was it just a clever way to bring up the dragons issue?

They made it a happy ending but it seemed forced.

Yesterday, I watched Howl’s Moving Castle, as a good friend of mine insisted that I watch it.

I loved Howl. He was beautiful, narcissistic (that has a sad back story), and loved only beautiful women. Only later does he realize the true meaning of beauty.

I liked the transformation he undergoes. I liked how he goes from all protective to bossy to protective again and then to protect-her-with-my-life amount of love (You’ll know when you watch the movie).

The characters in this movie were so much better that in Tales From Earthsea. They were more lively, real and not stereotypical at all (not that they were in Tales From Earthsea).

I liked it a lot!

I think I’ll watch My Neighbor Totoro next. Will put up a post after watching two more movies!!