Studio Ghibli Worship Plans

I have plans…

We need to have a day (maybe two) of straight Studio Ghibli movie watching. *whispers* probably online, because I have the movies somewhere in Hong Kong and I cannot be asked to get them, so my conscience is clean somewhat, and I also want to buy the original artwork DVDs from the Studio Ghibli store in the future, so, meh~

And then, after each film, we can rant as much as we like about them, or just cry. I’ll do both, probably.

When I (or would you like to tag along?) go to Japan, I’m going to visit the Studio Ghibli Museum. Which I think will become my home. Since I’ll never leave.

Game plan or what?

Not forgetting that that much fangirling will be done during and between movies. I’m thinking of making you (and anyone who wants to tag along) watch every one of my favourite SG films. Including ones I haven’t watched since childhood for fear of becoming a train wreak solved only by contact with Totoro. Be warned.

~ Persephone

“Once you’ve met…”

“Once you’ve met someone you never really forget them. It just takes a while for your memories to return.”
– Spirited Away

I’m on a Studio Ghibli spree today. This was something said by Zeniba in ‘Spirited Away’ on of my favourite films, when Sen, was trying to remember her long forgotten childhoon, during which she met Haku.

Personally, I strongly believe that your memories aren’t as fallible as one would think. It has been said, that the more you access certain memories, the more likely they are to become less true, as your brain will subconsciously add and take away things from the memory. So, a cherished memory may not be as reliable as one you think you’ve forgotten long ago.

While you may store many precious moments in your brain, sometimes, a traumatic or profound event may render your brain unable to protect itself and process the information; upon which, it will sometimes cause amnesia, and cause you to ‘forget’ about particular events. Does that mean the moment you fall in love, you are in danger of forgetting all about it, due to the shock? Or will your heart remember how it went ‘doki doki’ from the sheer, overpowering feeling of euphoria and completeness, and prevent you from fainting and forgetting, ever?

(I won’t admit to reading Haku x Chihiro fanfiction, ever, but should you want a recommendation… well… that’s another story 😉 Honestly, they’re a cute pair of children, and will make an inseparable, unbeatable couple. But that’s not canon, yet, so I’ll just put this in brackets, okay?)

~ Persephone

Studio Ghibli Forever

So, what am I talking about today? Since I was most inspired by the amazing Studio Ghibli 25th Anniversary Concert, I decided I would do a post about my favourite film studio – yes, I grew up with Studio Ghibli and not Disney. Problem?

Now, I wasn’t even remotely joking when I said that I grew up with Studio Ghibli films. A good description of my childhood would be watching ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ and not something like ‘Dumbo‘. Actually, speaking of which, I don’t recall ever seeing ‘Peter Pan’ or ‘Bambi’, but I remember watching ‘Laputa: Castle in the Sky’ and being rendered inconsolable for a few days.

Why are the works of Hayao Miyazaki (-sama?) so powerful and profound? There are light-hearted moments in every film. But if one should ever look at the symbolism behind every scene, they would find much darker tones, such as the violence and wars in the background of ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’. There are many lessons to be learned, and even if you’re not of the right age to appreciate the message put out by Studio Ghibli – there is always a chance that you would pick it up during another viewing later in life. Proof? I did. (And this applies not just to films, but many books as well.)

In films, one of the key factors in creating the perfect atmosphere, is the soundtrack. Studio Ghibli is no different, except they had an exemplary composer – Joe Hisaishi. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve listened to his works, and remembered scenes from films I don’t think I would ever forget. The OST (Original Sountrack) for ‘Spirited Away’ for example, has a piece, Waltz of Chihiro, which need only to be played, and I would recall the feeling of joy at the precise moment when Sen, remembers Haku’s real name.

Similarly, in ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ – which is based off a series of books by Diana Wynne Jones (which I would recommend reading for another experience entirely) when the Jinsei no Merry-go-Round (Merry-go-Round of Life) plays, my heart pangs at the feeling of riding high in the sky, on the balcony of a rickety castle, controlled by a fallen star – Calcifer.

Forever is a long time to hold something close to your heart. But if it is the works of Studio Ghibli, I don’t think it would be difficult at all. Thank you, ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ for making me smile, even though you’re basically growing seeds at night… I will always wait for the Catbus to arrive, when it’s late at night, and the rain falls so strongly, you’d think someone jumped really hard to make it so. Thank you Hayao Miyazaki and Joe Hisaishi, for making my childhood so wonderful, and giving me many fond memories to look back upon.

~ Persephone

“If you can dream…

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
– Walt Disney

Now this, this is something I heard first from a YouTuber, called Kalel, who was inspired greatly by this quote.

Personally, I can’t deny how my childhood was improved dramatically through the works of Walt Disney and Hayao Miyazaki. You cannot say you have lived, without watching a film from either of these two greats.

I learnt so much as a child, that I’m only beginning to grasp the concept of, today. Watching ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ as a 5 year old, and crying my heart out, makes it even more touching, now, when I understand the importance behind that tin of sweets.

With this quote in mind, I’m glad that I have such a vivid imagination. Truly a worthy quote of the day, no? ^-^

~ Persephone