Most of us in the States consider animated films children’s territory. Although grownups certainly find something to enjoy in the recent Pixar and Disney releases, animation is still created primarily for young minds and eyes.

This is not the case elsewhere, especially in Japanese anime films. Leading the way is Studio Ghibli with genius directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Their ethereal, mesmerizing storytelling transports viewers to other worlds filled with the sort of danger and conflict we find only in our big screen action-thrillers. The result is magic.

In “Ghibli’s Moving World,” Josiah “Duke” Harrist explains the impact of this sort of film: “At its core, most every Ghibli film describes some pure, wordless drive in the human experience and makes it move in brilliant color and music on the screen.” How true: Films express our richest moments and emotions for us, to the world. Our writers offer witness to this truth in a compilation titled “In Appreciation of Studio Ghibli.” It’s a Ghibli primer of sorts, granting a peek into magical worlds that may entice you to a full viewing.

Animated stories, such as those gifted to us from Studio Ghibli, are another means of growth for us. All good stories both entertain and teach, enriching us in ways we can’t always pinpoint but we sense it deep down in the core of our being. It’s almost like our Creator created us with a need for it. Our hearts crave the creative, and Studio Ghibli’s films deliver.

Erin Straza
Associate Editor

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