If the Studio Ghibli catalogue was to disappear forever, which movie do you pick to save?

[Isrieri]

Although my real favorites are Princess Mononoke and Kiki's Delivery Service, if all their films were lost to history, the one I'd pick would be Totoro I think. I watched this religiously as a kid: It was fascinating (the story was so utterly bare bones yet I was totally engrossed) and heartwarming (I had never seen a film that was this unabashedly happy). I don't think I want to live in the timeline where My Neighbor Totoro doesn't exist.

 

[Exposition Owl]

Although my real favorites are Princess Mononoke and Kiki's Delivery Service, if all their films were lost to history, the one I'd pick would be Totoro

I think I agree with you about all three of these movies. There's just nothing else quite like My Neighbor Totoro.

 

[Octopus Prime]

Nausicca, didn’t even need to stop to think about it

 

[Exposition Owl]

Nausicca, didn’t even need to stop to think about it

Nausicaa is wonderful, but if the movie didn't exist I'd still be happy to have Miyazaki's book of the story.

 

[FelixSH]

Either Totoro or Pom Poko. Both are beautiful and amazing. I love the Tanukis (?) in the latter one, but Totoro has Totoro and the Catbus. Plus all the rest. Easily my two favourites.

 

[Falselogic]

I think I'd have to stick with Totoro as well, maybe with Spirited Away as a close second. Both are just so magical.

 

[ThornGhost]

I think maybe actually Spirited Away is the correct answer here but the heart wants what it wants.

 

[Daikaiju]

Kiki. I just enjoy it

 

[conchobhar]

Only Yesterday.

Or maybe The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

 

[Rascally Badger]

Someone want to guess my choice? no hints.

 

[Peklo]

A coinflip between Only Yesterday, Ocean Waves and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

 

[MCBanjoMike]

Porco Rosso, now and forever.

 

[Phantoon]

It's a hard call, but it's Totoro. I think it's damn near perfect.

 

[estragon]

This question is made a lot simpler by the fact that Nausicaa predates Studio Ghibli, so it sticks around no matter what. I think that's a good enough representation of Miyazaki's work, even if it's not my favorite. Also, it's supplemented by the comic which represents some of the more fleshed out thinking in Miyazaki's later work. You could show someone Nausicaa and have them read the comic and explain, "There were also a bunch of other movies working through these ideas."

So, if I'm seriously thinking about what one work to preserve in that situation, I think the best answer is definitely Only Yesterday.

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

This is a cursed thread.

A coinflip between Only Yesterday, Ocean Waves and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

Based fellow Ocean Waves appreciator. Might be the one I'd save tbh. If this is a "these movies will be magically erased from history" kind of deal, Miyazaki and Takahata were both accomplished animators/directors before Ghibli came about. So they'd probably end up making most of their ideas in some way or another with a different studio. Ocean Waves however probably never gets made without Ghibli, so that's the one I'd save.

Now, if this was a, "These movies existed, but now nobody can watch them again," kind of deal... Then that changes things. Maybe Laputa. I know that's probably the most beloved film the studio ever put out. If it's just my personal feelings, screw the rest of the world, then probably Princess Mononoke. Watching that film in theaters as a tween was life altering.

 

[Violentvixen]

My favourite is probably The Wind Rises but there's no way I could justify it being the only one to be saved.

Totoro or Princess Mononoke, it would entirely depend on how I felt at the moment of the decision.

But this is reminding me there's a lot of the Ghibli catalog I still need to see. I probably only watch one movie a year but really should make the time for these.

 

[MetManMas]

Grave of the Fireflies.

 

[Kirin]

Leaning toward Laputa, both because it’s a personal fave, and if this is a “magically erased from history” deal a whole lot of subsequent works in both animation and video games would suffer greatly from its absence.

 

[Voncaster]

Totoro or Princess Mononoke, it would entirely depend on how I felt at the moment of the decision.

I agree but I think I lean slightly in Totoro's direction.

 

[greentealoon]

My Neighbor Totoro has a special place in my heart, especially the very early Chinese dub, but since I usually stop watching the movie just before Mei gets herself lost my vote has to go to Spirited Away. This is also above Porco Rosso which I also love and has characters I like more.