Pom Poko (Japan, 1994)

As the human city development encroaches on the raccoon dog population's forest and meadow habitat, the raccoon dogs find themselves faced with the very real possibility of extinction. In response, they engage in a desperate struggle to stop the construction and preserve their home.

I've mentioned it before, but Pom Poko is my favorite film from animation giant Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away), as unconventional as that may be. The amount of heart and soul in this story is staggering and by the end you desperately want to see all the tanuki's live happily in peace. Director Isao Takahata shows the real life expansion of  Tama New Town in the 1960's, only it's through the eyes of those we rarely think about when a new development project takes place. Takahata's love for Japanese history and folklore shines through in every nook and cranny, and the huge number of references to iconic Japanese spirits makes it seem like a real-life fairytale. 

Genre: Animation/Comedy/Drama

The Wind Rises (Japan, 2013)

Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world's most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, depicting key historical events, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan's plunge into war. Jiro meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo.

Here we are with a brand new Studio Ghibli film, The Wind Rises, and what is said to be the last Hayao Miyazaki film. This is his goodbye to all his fans and to his past as one of the worlds greatest animators, and how fitting it that he decides to make this his most different film to date? When The Wind Rises was released in Japan, kids all over the country didn't like it, they thought it was boring. In a sense, I can understand that, because it's a far cry from earlier films by Miyazaki like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Hayao Miyazaki himself said that this isn't a movie for kids, and it shows in the slower tempo and lack of fantasy elements. Here's a film about a real life plane engineer, and how he sought out his dream. As I said, it's probably the most different film by Miyazaki, the most mature and serious. The one thing that remains intact is the wonderful animation, it's so warm and has that sort of fairy tale feel to it, even though the story is set in a realistic world this time. 

There's no wonder Hayao Miyazaki put so much effort in this film because airplanes is one of his favorite things, both to draw and to experience up close, so there's little doubt that this film has meant much to him and I'm really glad he finally got to make film that centers around planes (his film Porco Rosso (1992) also featured a lot of planes though not as in depth). If you can accept the more grown up story, then this film is a wonderful treat that has lots beautiful sights to show. The problem for all those Japanese children is that they were expecting another cute film like Ponyo (2008), and this couldn't be further away from that, but it's a fantastic film in every way possible. 

Genre: Animation/Biography/Drama

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (Japan, 1979)

Renowned international thief Lupin III (known as "Wolf" in the English dub) comes to the small European duchy of Cagliostro to investigate some excellently-forged money and stumbles across a national conspiracy going back some hundreds of years. Lupin and his friends must rescue the beautiful Clarice from the hands of the evil Count Cagliostro and solve the mystery of a hidden treasure dating back to the 15th century.

The Castle of Cagliostro is hailed as one of the best stand-alone films from the Lupin III franchise, and rightfully so. It was co-written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who five years later would found the animation giant Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke). The incredible style and charm mixed with old-school animation makes it a joyride from the get-go and steps on the gas constantly, but even though there's tons of action the film is not at all afraid to have very small and subtle moments. One thing I love about it is how there seems to be so much history and lore behind everything, and we're not watching a crazy anime but true historical fiction. There's just enough backstory to make things seem very mystical but we're also exploring and learning alongside Lupin. There's something about it that just makes you wish it's not going to end, that Lupin will get himself in one more dangerous situation and go on another adventure. 

Genre: Animation/Action/Comedy

From Up on Poppy Hill (Japan, 2011)

Umi, a 16-year old girl, lives in Kokuriko Manor, a house that overlooks Yokohama harbour. Every morning, Umi raises a set of signal flags with the message "I pray for safe voyages". The identity of the person raising the flags arouses much local interest, and a poem about her is published in a school newspaper. The author of this poem, Shun, always sees this flag from the sea as he rides a tugboat to school. The two students eventually meet, and a strong friendship is formed.

Another year, and finally another Studio Ghibli-film. From Up on Poppy Hill is one of those few Ghibli-movies that doesn't feature a storyline with lots of fantasy, thus making it more reminiscent of Whisper of the Heart (1995). Set in the year 1963, Poppy Hill explores the growing relationship between two students and the problems surrounding them. Ghibli's rendition of Tokyo in the 60's looks great, and many sceneries are spectacular in that distinctive Ghibli-kind of way. A warm and more subtle Ghibli-film. 

Genre: Animation/Drama/Romance

Studio Ghibli-productions (Japan)

Studio Ghibli has made many of the worlds best animated movies, so they're well worthy of a place in this list. I could write an essay on how beautiful Porco Rosso (1992) is, or how Castle in the Sky (1986) captures the very nature of a perfect fantasy journey. But you must experience them for yourself, all of them, and it'll be like devouring an enormous slice of Japanese culture.

My personal favorite is Pom Poko (1994), which follows the lives of a group of tanuki (raccoon dogs) who are trying to save their forest from an ongoing suburban development project. The movie is often overshadowed by more popular Ghibli-films like Spirited Away (2001) or Princess Mononoke (1997), so I thought I could at least mention it here. It also has one of the best soundtracks of the whole bunch, though that's always tough to decide because the music in these films are pure heaven.