TRENDING

The films from the Japanese animation company, Studio Ghibli, have been a staple of *many* childhoods. If you watch these films again, through a lens of nostalgia, you might find you connect with these stories more than ever. 

Studio Ghibli was created in 1985, but one of the company's most well-known films My Neighbor Totoro came out in 1988. The success of this film helped the studio be able to widely distribute their work through a partnership with Walt Disney. Without this partnership, the chances of the films having made it to North America are slim. 

A fair amount of Studio Ghibli films were released decades ago, but the foundational themes stay true even in the modern-day. In a similar way that enthusiasts of Harry Potter hold onto the themes of magic and friendship, so do fans of Studio Ghibli. There are plenty of fan theories speculated upon in even the smallest of details. Some believe all Studio Ghibli movies are connected in one way or another. 

My Neighbor Totoro follows two girls, Mei and Satsuki. After moving in with their father, they discover spirits in his house. The spirits clearly represent what it's like to be a kid—not only the magic and innocence of childhood, but the scary and unknown parts, too. Watching this film, older viewers can reflect back on their own childhood adventures and how they learned and grew from these experiences.

The lessons we can learn from these films continue to be useful even in our teenage years. It can be reminiscent to explore nature and find unlikely friendships as you grow up. In a time when everything is beyond uncertain, escaping into another universe is a key to escape the worry. 

Over 15 Studio Ghibli films can be streamed on HBO Max. No matter how old you are, these heart-soothing stories will feel real and familiar. Even if you can't find a lesson to take away, enjoying these worlds can be more than enough. It might even encourage you to explore your own world a bit more too. 

What is your favorite Studio Ghibli film? Let us know on Twitter @girlslifemag

All GIFs via GIPHY

Slider: ghibli collection

by Kelly Schwint | 12/26/2021