If you are one of the few people who have watched some of Studio Ghibli’s animated films, you would be familiar with stories like Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro.

My wife’s friend, being an anime collector, has inspired us to secure a copy of Hayao Miyazaki’s creations. At first I was reluctant to view these films since I never really liked animes other than the likes of Voltez V and Dragon Ball Z. But then after watching a few of them, it instantly delivered the message – respect for life on earth, taking care of our environment and love.

Though each of SG’s animated classics indeed deliver distinct and unique lessons per story yet overall the author and creator significantly reminds us of the beauty of life and all that is related to it. The creative style of immersing the viewers into something that is merely fantasy yet surprises us with the simplicity and astounding flow of the plot will make us watch SG’s films over and over again.

My kids have already selected some of their favorites like Spirited Away, a story of a young girl who was transported to the spirit world after she and her folks have incidentally passed through the confines of the parallel spirit dimension; Kiki’s Delivery Service, a young witch who tries to start her life to be of service to others just like her mother, who then finds herself providing delivery service through her magical broom with the aide of her witty black cat; and Howl’s Moving Castle, a love story between a powerful wizard who owns a unique castle and a young maiden who works in a hat shop after being cursed by one of Howl’s incessant paramour finds her way to the mysterious moving castle. Last but not the least is Princess Mononoke, which teaches us that there should be a balance between what we take from nature and what we give back to it.

Up until now, we continue to watch out for films made by Studio Ghibli since through their stories we help in instilling life’s great lessons to our kids.

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