I have to go with Kiki as well. It was the first anime film I ever saw and still to this day is probably my favorite. It was a film that just filled me with such joy watching it and still is able to accomplish that even now.

Nausicaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

My Neighbor Totoro, all the way. I don't think I've ever felt such a feeling of childlike glee and wonder watching a movie. It just captured simple innocence and playfulness in a way I've never seen matched.

My vote still has to go to Spirited Away.

I'll really have to watch Kiki one of these days.

castle in the sky

All of the ones that aren't Howl's. I loved Howl's- went to see it 3 times in theaters- Until I read the book and found out how horribly Miyazaki had played with the stroyline, and how much better it would have been if he had followed the book. And I mean, followed he book at all. After the first two minutes of the movie nothing is the same.

That being said, I still like Spirited Away. They're all good, though. Except Howl's.

Waaaah! How can I make this choice? Totoro and Kiki were childhood favorites, but Spirited Away was really, really good. I think, in the end, I'm going to have to vote for Princess Mononoke, though, since it is the ONLY anime I have ever gotten my parents to watch.

It was hilarious, really. I was watching it alone in the living room after throwing a tantrum in Blockbuster before my parents would let me rent it. Forty minutes in, I looked back and found that my whole family had been sucked in. Mom and Dad, Mr. and Mrs. "cartoons are for kids" were literally glued to the couch behind me as the forest of the Shishigami burned in a montage of flame and suffering. It was a moment of vindication that I will savor forever.

Maybe Mononoke Hime is a little preachy. It's certainly not subtle about its message. But it was a turning point in my parents' acceptance of my anime habits. It helped them understand that anime is a MEDIUM, not a homogenous genre of inconsequential fantasy...and that animation can be effectively used to address anything from jiggling boobs to serious social issues.

Kiki's Delivery Service was amazing, but I love Nausica. It may have the same formula as a few of his other movies, but I love aerial combat.

I have to say Howling's Moving Castle because I love the art, music, and story even with the kind of wtf ending. I'm actually ordering the book it was (loosely) based on hearing it's 10x better than the movie, but even with that it's still my personal fave.

I really ought to see Kiki's Delivery Service because a Facebook quiz said I was Kiki (I justify it that way, stfu), but from what I've seen, I'd have to go with Ponyo, honestly. I was smiling throughout the entire thing, I just couldn't help it.
Even if Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away came close.
(I have got to see the rest of the Miyazaki films...)
So, answer: Ponyo.

Howl's.

Howl's Moving Castle. He was too bad ass not to like.

[quote]I have to say Howling's Moving Castle because I love the art, music, and story even with the kind of wtf ending. I'm actually ordering the book it was (loosely) based on hearing it's 10x better than the movie, but even with that it's still my personal fave.[/quote]

Until you read the book. Srsly, 10x better does not even begin to describe it.

Princess Mononoke. Because that forest spirit is scary as fuck.

No one's said it yet?

Porco Rosso hands down. It's not as preachy as Princess Mononoke nor is it as lighthearted as Totoro, but Porco Rosso had a charm that really appealed to me when I first saw it. Maybe it was because Porco was such a great character.

Well whatever the reason, Porco Rosso is definitely my favorite (and the most underrated) Miyazaki movie.

I'm gonna have to say Howl's it holds a special place in my heart because it was the first Miyazaki movie I saw. I know it's insanely different from the book but that's why they call it a adaptation and not a Hey we made the book move.

I'm torn, because Totoro has been a favorite of mine since I was like 6, so I feel almost obligated to choose Totoro. And I love all the other Miyazaki films! Including Ponyo, which had the same childlike innocence that Totoro had. But I think I will cast my vote for Howl's Moving Castle, because not only did it re-spark my love for anime at a time when I was feeling less and less into it, but also because of how strongly I felt connected to the characters. They were the most fully developed set of Miyazaki characters, in my opinion, especially Howl, since you see his many flaws and charms very clearly throughout the movie and then witness his changes and the new flaws and charms that come with them.

Porco Rosso. It's perhaps the most underrated out of all of them - maybe it's the moustached pig that sets people off from watching it, I don't know. And yet, it remains my favorite.

Monoke Hime ftw!!!

Porco Rosso. Nuff said.

Princess Mononoke

i was thinking an thinking and i have to go with Monoke Hime, it was to bad ass to pass up. Though i have watched all of his films and very much enjoyed every one of them Kikkie Delevery service seem to innocent for me it can be said for a lot of his film in actuality.

Howl's Moving Castle.

Princess Mononoke

Despite the unbridled amazingtude of Miyazaki's opuses , Mononoke Hime stand above the rest because it inspires some dormant hope of purity inside of me. The stoic warrior with the pure heart falling for the Circean that lives with the wolf god Moro what could be more beautiful.

Hmmm.... its a tough one! totoro was really great and I loved the easy Japanese songs you could pick up from it, but the one that has the most history for me is Howls Moving Castle, Howls Moving Castle is my most favorite!

Totoro: redefined Japan and anime forever
Laputa: best story in anime, ever. I am a fan of structure in things and it's well put together.
Kiki's: best soundtrack (Joe Hisaishi), gorgeous visuals and design
Ocean Waves: the only non-Miyazaki Ghibli film worth anyone's time, love it
My overall fave might just have to be Spirited Away though.

I'm going to go with Princess Monenoke, it was one of the most visceral animated films I've ever seen. It was dubbed redictulusly well (billy bob thorton was even in it?!) and he was able to be craft characters so well that you felt endeared to them all, regardless of good or evil, because they all had good intentions at heart, and it's a movie i could keep rewatching.

if i had to pick a runner up it would be nassica because it's fantastic and often overlooked for more recent work, and also set in a far flung future unlike any of myazaki's other work.

also any wallpaper sized versions of the header image anywhere? it's too awesome.

Porco Rosso, such a great action movie set in such an interesting real world setting.

I've not seen all of his works but the two that stand out the most to me are Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Porco Rosso. Both of these movies have great visuals and great stories. Unfortunately, as much as I want either to win, this is probably a debate between Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. Since I'm going to be voting for a "loser" I might as well make it a big one. I'll be the first, as I'm typing this, to vote for my pick; and what a pick it is.
My vote: Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro.

I'm mostly stuck between Mononoke and Spirited Away as those were my first Ghibli's, but Laputa had such an impact on so many things that its hard to count it out.

I liked the story of Spirited Away but I liked the characters of Mononoke better.

sigh...Mononoke. Stupid hard otaku debates. Damn you Tim Sheehy for making me choose!

@peterinjapan

I was really hoping someone would mention Ocean Waves. It's not Miyazaki, so it doesn't really count here, but it was a pretty amazing film in its own right. I'm also with you on Kiki's having the best soundtrack of all the films he's directed.

@Antwhan I should have mentioned this in the post, so forgive me, but the piece was done by a talented artist named Andrew Dobson. I encourage everyone to check out his gallery at www.andysartwork.com

I'd have to go with Laputa - Castle in the Sky.


I still tear up when the title screen pops up and the main theme starts to play.

mine was spirited away i loved that movie it really was his best work so far. it was really fun to watch and i think his message came across more clearly. plus the characters were really inventive and i felt more of his personality in the movie. but to be fair i loved all his movies i thought they were all great.
also i think that spirited away had the best soundtrack.

Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro

as a young adult Princess Mononoke had a profound effect on my life and how i feel about nature. but all of the films of his that i have seen, i have really enjoyed its message.

My Neighbor Totoro.

Nausicaa of the valley of the wind.

I really love all the Ghibli movies, but from all the movies I've watched and remembered from when I was 4-5 years old, Nausicaa is the most epic one. It truly deserves to be on the top of the Ghibli releases.

Definitely Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Kick-ass heroine, epic world complete with giant insects, and meve, the only way to fly. Not to mention Miyazaki wrote an exhaustive manga based on this world that ran on and off for 13 years. It is so much a part of him.

Mononoke Hime will probably always be my favorite Ghibli film.

Princess Mononoke because it was first film I saw that got me into Miyazaki and anime in general.

The mighty Totoro! Isn't he just the cutest fluffy animal you've ever seen?


He can fly, he's cuter than the competition,
Not to mention he will EAT THEM ALL!!!

Another vote for Nausicaa... Stupendously epic awesomeness. But also watch "The Cat Returns". It is awesome where you don't expect it. I demand the construction of a Ghibli theter in the U.S. immediately. San Francisco? Yes. There would be fine.

"theater". Lord I'm tired.

My Neighbor Totoro, fond childhood memories.

Kiki. It's one of the first anime movies i can remember seeing as a kid.
For a long time I dont think i even realized it was a Miyazaki film.
Later on in life i realized that the few truly great anime movies I had seen were all made by him.

Porco Ross.. the only one whitch is AWASOME!!!

Princess Mononoke

God dammit. There are three that come to mind as the best of the best in terms of Miyazaki. Those are Castle of Cagliostro, Laputa, and Porco Rosso. After much deliberation, I'm gonna give it to Cagliostro. That was always one of his most fun movies, and he took an established franchise and made the defining portion of it. Close second to Porco.

Spirited Away

for the story and the visuals

It may not be the best film but it was the first anime I had ever seen so my vote goes for Tonari no Totoro. Wootz for 4th grade teachers who show anime.

Whisper of the Heart hasn't been mentioned at all... :( I love this one, but since he didn't actually direct it, I'm not sure if it counts. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. It's a very real setting and characters, but all of whom seem to exude creativity (writers, artisan, violin makers, musicians). It has the fantasy that you can find in real life, if only you know how to find it.

I also hold near to my heart Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away for their imagery and whimsy. I love that characters that never speak and say volumes and both had some of the most creative characters.

Porco Rosso and Nausicaa are both masterpieces as well as Mononokoe, but the one that holds the biggest place in my heart though will always be Kiki's Delivery Service. Miyazaki is able to blend a very real setting with a very unreal character seamlessly. The movie is a coming of age story that everyone can relate to and the music put it over the edge for me.

My vote is for Kiki!

Laputa: Castle in the Sky.

It just has a sense of narrative completeness that some of the later Ghibli films lack.

I'm in love with both how's moving castle and spirited away(my first love)
but I'd have to go with howl's moving castle...I think I just underestimated it so much that after I watched it, it blew me away...

Nausicaa- I would spend hours looking through the TV guide to see if it would play again on HBO when I was 6 or 7. Foxsquirrel, gliders, awesome insect designs...you can't go wrong. And the comic is one of the best coimics I have ever read.

I love them all and each is my favorite. They all need to be seen. In this case my vote for number 1 goes to:

Porco Rosso!

"A Pig's gotta fly"

Kiki's Delivery Service is my favorite. It always has a calming, happy effect on me when I watch! Of course Totoro and Nausicaa are wonderful too... but I watch Kiki over and over.

Big Grey Totoro pwns all who stand before him!

Laputa III: Castle of Cagliostro in the Sky

I'll have to choose, don't I? Laputa it is then.

I have to go with Princess Mononoke. It was the first anime film that I saw and remains one of my favorites

Spirited Away is my choice. Not the first movie I've seen by Miyazaki (that honour goes to Castle of Cagliostro), but it effected me in an emotional way. I actually shed tears over this film, and part of the reason is because of Joe Hisaishi's excellent score.

Not only that, the movie is also free to tell the story without being bogged down in morals and messages (Mononoke, I'm looking at you).

SPIRITED AWAY.

Best animated movie I've ever seen. Nothing will ever change that.

I've only seen three of them. Princess Mononoke was the first one I saw. It was back when I was first getting into anime, and I really thought it was good, it just seemed really long. Too long.

I absolutely loved Spirited Away when I saw it. The story was beautifully written and I loved all the characters. The end tends to make me cry, though.

I only saw Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro about a month ago. I really like the anime, but I never had gotten around to watching the movies. I did like the story, but it felt a bit slow at times.

My vote has to go to Spirited Away. Although Castle of Cagliostro would come in a very close second.

First I'd like to point out that I love each Miyazaki film and hold them all very dearly.
That said, Princess Mononoke is the quintessential Gibli film, and has been my favorite since I was 13. Admittedly at first I loved it for opening my world to gory anime and the concept of animation as not just for kids, but it has evolved since then.
First off, it has the obligatory nature versus man/machine themes Miyazaki loves so much but he doesn't hammer it into you as much as in other films like Nausica. It's cute at times (who doesn't love kodama?) and even appropriate for children without pandering to them, and it deals with one of my favorite subjects, questioning good and evil. No one in the story is a true antagonist, and likewise no one could exactly be called a saint. Our beloved antagonist Ashitaka at various points almost seems to ally himself to each party, usually right before he confuses the shit out everybody and helps the "enemy", pointing out that there is no such thing. Theres so much there and i could go on and on, but i really dont want to turn this into an essay (and im supposed to be doing something else right now anyways)

so i guess i'm saying Princess Mononoke WOOOOOO!

[quote]First I'd like to point out that I love each Miyazaki film and hold them all very dearly.
That said, Princess Mononoke is the quintessential Gibli film, and has been my favorite since I was 13. Admittedly at first I loved it for opening my world to gory anime and the concept of animation as not just for kids, but it has evolved since then.
First off, it has the obligatory nature versus man/machine themes Miyazaki loves so much but he doesn't hammer it into you as much as in other films like Nausica. It's cute at times (who doesn't love kodama?) and even appropriate for children without pandering to them, and it deals with one of my favorite subjects, questioning good and evil. No one in the story is a true antagonist, and likewise no one could exactly be called a saint. Our beloved antagonist Ashitaka at various points almost seems to ally himself to each party, usually right before he confuses the shit out everybody and helps the "enemy", pointing out that there is no such thing. Theres so much there and i could go on and on, but i really dont want to turn this into an essay (and im supposed to be doing something else right now anyways)

so i guess i'm saying Princess Mononoke WOOOOOO![/quote]

oh yeah plus the lead male didnt really "get the girl" in the end. i hate when movies try to cram that into the epilogue of an otherwise decent movie

Going with Kiki

My Neighbor Totoro :D I still remember the theme songs after all these 20 years of my first viewing.

It would take me a while to evaluate each one I've seen, so I'm just gonna go with the one that popped into my head first when I saw the debate title and go with Howl's Moving Castle.

Nausicaa. It's gorgeous, breathtaking, and thrilling, even more so than Miyazaki's other works.

Grarghhh!
Kinda impossible to choose.
But I really liked Kiki and Sprited Away.

Howl's Moving Castle

Totoro all the way, I might have never known about anime and stuff without it, and I think it is one of his best animes. If not Totoro, than Spirited Away or Kiki's.

It's all about Totoro

Totoro

Pom Poko! Whahahahaha