1. My Neighbor Totoro (1988) 

At a time when animation films weren’t popular, Totoro had to be released in 1988 together with Grave of the Fireflies (the only Ghibli film excluded from Netflix’s list) as a double feature, because distributors doubted Totoro’s appeal.

Decades after, the world would fall in love with the gentle giant, who takes sisters Mei and Satsuki on magical adventures as they endure their mother’s illness, and learn that trials accompany the good things in life.

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2. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

 Kiki, a witch-in-training, leaves her parents’ house upon turning 13. The small-town girl finds herself out of place in the city, and is left with a low sense of self, lost and depressed – causing her to lose her flying skills and ability to communicate with her black cat, Jiji.

A coming-of-age story, how Kiki manages to survive (with a little help from her friends!) and adjust to the new world she’s in is relatable to every young adult.

3. Castle in the Sky (1986)

A story about a young pair keen to protect a magic crystal from prying agents, Castle in the Sky was the first film officially released by Ghibli and was inspired by the plight of miners and Hayao Miyazaki’s anti-war message.

MARCH 

4. Princess Mononoke (1997)

A blockbuster hit, this visually enchanting film questions the role of industrial advancements in the order of nature. Greed, hate and lust can corrupt a person, yet it is humanity that saves the day.

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5. Spirited Away (2001)

An Oscar-winning film, it is reflective of Japan’s recession in the 1980s. The film’s protagonist, Chihiro, is a 10-year-old who overcomes challenges as she finds herself stuck in a spirit realm filled with corruption and greed. Facing her fears, she rediscovers her “energy to live” and pulls through.

6. My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

An animated comedy written and directed by Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, Yamadas is popular for its unique comic-strip style presentation, following the lives of a modern-day Japanese family.

7. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)

Based on a 10th century folk tale, the film was Takahata’s final project before he died in 2018. Princess Kaguya finds her own voice and strength as she wades through life learning about the true worth of beauty, materialism and her dreams as a woman.

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APRIL

8. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

In 2013, Miyazaki announced his retirement and named Howl’s Moving Castle as his favourite film, saying: “I wanted to convey the message that life is worth living, and I don’t think that’s changed.” The film is also considered Miyazaki’s response to the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003.

9. Ponyo (2008)

Ponyo, a fish-girl, falls in love with five-year-old boy, Sosuke, which creates an imbalance and a tsunami that endangers the people’s village. Despite their odd relationship, persistence and acceptance teaches us that love can prevail.

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10. The Wind Rises (2013)

Miyazaki’s swansong (before coming out of retirement in 2017), The Wind Rises is based on the story of Jiro Horikoshi, who designed magnificent planes, only to be used in the second world war. Vulture writes: “it is about a dreamer who is forced to be a realist”, making it as much the aviator’s story as Miyazaki’s.

Also streaming on Netflix this month are Only Yesterday (1991), Porco Rosso (1992), Ocean Waves (1993), and Tales from Earthsea (2006).

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), The Cat Returns (2002), and Arrietty (2010) will be released in March; while Pom Poko (1994), Whisper of the Heart (1995), From up on Poppy Hill (2011) and When Marnie Was There (2014) can be streamed from April.

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