Favorite Miyazaki Film

[TWWK]

While I best this has been done before, I still wanted to see everyone's opinions on which Hayao Miyazaki film in their favorite.

While I think Princess Mononoke is probably his best, I'd have to say that my favorite Miyazaki film is probably My Neighbor Totoro. There have been few films that I can rewatch as many times and which bring me such joy as that one. A super close second would be a tie between Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

What about for the rest of you?

[ich1990]

The Castle of Cagliostro is simply the most fun movie I have seen in recent memory. It easily takes top spot among what I have seen of Miyazaki's work. No random black ooze or "tattoo your brain" strength environmental messages even!

[Atria35]

Spirited Away. Kiki's Delivery Service pulls a close (very VERY close) second, and Nausicaa is number 3.

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

Definitely Spirited Away. Movie gives me a big grin every time I watch it.

[TWWK]

The Castle of Cagliostro is simply the most fun movie I have seen in recent memory. It easily takes top spot among what I have seen of Miyazaki's work. No random black ooze or "tattoo your brain" strength environmental messages even!

I feel like I have to watch that one even more now...I watched the first 10 minutes on Netflix, but just haven't had time to finish it. After seeing Porco Rosso a few months back, it's the last one I haven't watched...

[rocklobster]

I can't pick just one. I like all his movies, actually. Yes, even The Cat Returns, which I thought was only ok.

[Midori]

This is a very difficult choice. I went ahead and picked Castle In the Sky, if only for its fantastic music. I almost picked Castle of Cagliostro. I wasn't aware that one was Miyazaki, but it makes a lot of sense now that I realize it.

[Cloud500]

I can't pick just one. I like all his movies, actually. Yes, even The Cat Returns, which I thought was only ok.

The Cat Returns wasn't a Miyazaki film...

[TheSubtleDoctor]

Mononoke Hime. It just edges out Lupin III for me. In addition to the nostalgia factor (it was the first anime DVD I ever purchased, all the way back on my 17th birthday), I think MH is Miyazaki's grand epic. I never felt clubbed about the head with an environmentalist message, though I recognize one is present. Perhaps my vision is too rose-tinted, but MH feels less like a slap on the wrist and more like the mythology of some alternate Earth.

[battletech]

What a hard poll to answer. Next you will ask me what my favorite dessert is. I had to go with Nausicaa because it the one I remember the most.

[FllMtl Novelist]

'Fraid I've only seen Whisper of the Heart, and that one's not on the list. :/

[blkmage]

That's because it's not a Miyazaki movie. ლ(╹‿╹ლ)

[FllMtl Novelist]

Oh! Okay. For some reason I thought it was...

EDIT: Thanks, Mech! It was my mistake. XD

[mechana2015]

It's a studio Ghibli movie. It's a common mistake to presume Ghibli=Miyazaki, and while he has been responsible for a large portion of their movies, at least as known on the American market, they have had other directors for well known movies including Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns.

http://www.christiananime.net/showthread.php?t=57010 <<has more detail on who's who at Ghibli.

[steenajack]

I love all his films, but Castle in the Sky has always stood out to me...as did Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away. !

[TWWK]

Mononoke Hime. It just edges out Lupin III for me. In addition to the nostalgia factor (it was the first anime DVD I ever purchased, all the way back on my 17th birthday), I think MH is Miyazaki's grand epic.

My first DVD purchase, too!!! I bought it before I realized what anime was.

[Sheol777]

Totoro is great to me because it establishes a mood without a lot of dialog. It has a lot of whimsical scenes that inspire.

Yeah, nothing really happens, but it is more of an atmosphere then a huge story.

[Blitzkrieg1701]

Very VERY hard to pick just one, but I'd have to give Castle of Cagliostro. The one thing that consistently disappoints me about Miyazaki films is the pacing, and Cagliostro is probably the most brisk of the bunch.

[Radical Dreamer]

I think I am the only person in this thread who finds it incredibly easy to pick just one. XD Castle in the Sky, bar none. XD That's the only Miyazaki movie I've seen where I didn't feel like the middle was dragging too much. XD That's probably just me, but yeah, that one is definitely his best IMO. XD

[Midori]

Can I vote for my four-year-old nephew? He's watched Kiki's Delivery Service at least 50 times.

[Ella Edric]

I loved Spirited Away. It was a masterpiece and the art was amazing. The whoe feel of the movie was definately different from any other I've seen.

[Blitzkrieg1701]

I think I am the only person in this thread who finds it incredibly easy to pick just one. XD Castle in the Sky, bar none. XD That's the only Miyazaki movie I've seen where I didn't feel like the middle was dragging too much. XD That's probably just me, but yeah, that one is definitely his best IMO. XD

If it weren't for Castle of Cagliostro, this would have probably been my vote too.

[Adie]

I love all of his movies, but Castle in the Sky was the first one I saw, so I have a special attachment to it. I guess that one would have to be my favorite.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Nice easy question to answer. Not! I love them all, except Pom Poko. My absolute favourite would have to be My Neighbor Totoro, then Spirited Away. I've never had a problem with the pacing of any Hayao Miyzakai or Studio Ghibli movie, except the middle of Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro.

[rocklobster]

The first one I ever saw (and purchased) was Kiki's Delivery Service. It was the fact that Phil Hartman was in the dub that attracted me. He was perfect for Gigi. It's so sad he's been dead for so long.

[Cadence]

Although it is a really hard choice for me, I think that Princess Mononoke is probably my favorite Miyazaki film, though My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away are not far behind.

I never felt clubbed about the head with an environmentalist message, though I recognize one is present.

I don't think I have ever met someone who agrees with me on this topic before. +5 awesome points for you, SubtleDoc. I admit I didn't even notice the environmental message in the movie until I'd watched it several times; I had way too much fun chewing on the other themes. Even now when I watch it, the environmental message sticks out far less to me than others present in the film.

Oh, and Joe Hisaishi's score for this film is absolutely gorgeous.

[ClosetOtaku]

For Miyazaki, it's Totoro. For Ghibli, it's Omohide Poro Poro.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Has Only Yesterday made it to American shores yet?

[TWWK]

Has Only Yesterday made it to American shores yet?

No it hasn't!!!

I've been dying to watch that one for years...I have a feeling that it's going to be one of my very favorite films. Come on, Disney!!!

[AnimeGirl]

"Spirited Away"

Tha film is just a MASTERPIECE! I almost wish it was an OVA series instead of a movie, it was that awesome!