Grave of the Fireflies
Studio Ghibli are back this week with the release of Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbour Totoro to celebrate the twenty fifth anniversary of both movies.
Over the years Studio Ghibli have delivered some wonderful movies with some truly unforgettable characters the make the films what they are.
We take a look at some of these fantastic and fascinating characters - and boy were there plenty to choose from.
- Seita and Setsuko: Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most powerful and harrowing Studio Ghibli movies of all time and one of the best war movies ever.
The film saw Isao Takahata in the director's chair and is based on the semi-autobiographical novel Grave of the Fireflies by Akiyuki Nosaka.
The movie follows brother and sister Seita and Setsuko who are left to fend for themselves after the city of Kobe is heavily bombed during the Second World War.
The pair are forced into an abandoned bomb shelter where they battle against starvation as they cling on to each other.
Grave of the Fireflies is a touching, poignant and yet incredibly powerful story about how two children much live in the face of war - it is story that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
- Totoro: My Neighbour Totoro
Released in 1988 My Neighbour Totoro and it a movie that is a celebration of the imagination and joy of youth.
Hayao Miyazaki is in the director's chair and this really is one of the most delightful Studio Ghibli movies.
The movie is set in post-war rural Japan where two children are struggling without their mother - she is in hospital with tuberculosis.
They are visited by Totoro - a spirit of the forest - and together they have a great adventure as Totoro helps the children through a difficult.
My Neighbour Totoro is the most childish of all the Studio Ghibli movies but that does give it a real magical and innocent charm.
My Neighbour Totoro- Howl: Howl's Moving Castle
Howl's Moving Castle is my favourite of all of the Studio Ghibli movies and it hit the big screen back in 2004.
Howl is a sorcerer on the run as he wants to avoid being sent off to fight a war that he doesn't believe in.
Howl is self centred and selfish but through the movie's heroine Sophie he begins to see the error of his ways.
You do root for Howl throughout the whole film - despite the flaws - but he is a character who is lost and lonely.
The movie was nominated for Best Animated Movie at the Oscars.
Howl's Moving CastlePrincess Mononoke remains one of Studio Ghibli's greatest movies and once again saw Hayao Miyazaki in the director's chair.
San is a young woman who lives in the forest and was raised by wolves and has a deep hatred for humans.
San is an incredibly fascinating character as she can be more beast than human and struggles to leave her animal side behind.
But she begins to form a bond with Ashitaka, who comes to the forest after being cursed by a demon.
But San and Ashitaka must come together as the forest goes head to head with a nearby settlement of humans who consume its resources.
Princess Mononoke delivers a very strong message about the importance of the environment and humans should respect it and protect it.
Princess Mononoke- Chihiro Ogino: Spirited Away
Spirited Away may only have been released in 2001 but it was the Studio Ghibli movie that really made the breakthrough in America; it went on to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
The movie follows Chihiro Ogino who finds herself in a reality that is filled with monsters and spirits - she must find a way to free herself and her parents.
Chihiro Ogino is one of the greatest Studio Ghibli characters because she is a headstrong girl who fights hard for what she wants and those she loves.
Spirited Away is one of the greatest Studio Ghibli movies of all time and was a huge critical and commercial hit.
Spirited AwayOther characters that are just as fantastic include Kiki (Kiki's Deliver Service) Nausicaä (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind) and Porco Rosso (Porco Rosso).
Grave of the Fireflies & My Neighbour Totoro are released 24th May.
Tagged in Studio Ghibli