Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' makes clear the world is a fragile place

[jrsdav]

One aspect of Japanese culture that deeply resonates with me is its unique connection to the geographical landscape. It seems intricately woven with the very essence of Japan, a nation shaped by the terrifying reality of earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and volcanoes.

These influences appear to have profound influence on the collective mindset of the people. The constant reminder of impermanence has sculpted a distinctive perspective on life, rendering the cultural tapestry of Japan something that feels intrinsically tied to its specific time and place.

I often reflect on this thought -- Japan could have only ever happened in Japan.

[ep103]

I think this is true of all places, people just tend not to recognize it where they live.

One of my favorite ways to travel is by train or motorcycle over long distances, and just watch how architecture, clothing, styles, layouts, etc change or surprisingly don't change in response to geographical changes.

Both are possible, and both tell you a lot about the people there.

[phillipcarter]

Guillermo del Toro really put it well:

> We are privileged enough to be living in a time where Mozart is composing symphonies

I'd encourage anyone who hasn't seen the full breadth of Miyazaki's work to watch them all. It's well worth your time, and especially to see how his work has helped shape a lot of other media you've likely consumed.

[layer8]

Aside from the feature films, also don’t forget:

• his one major manga/graphic novel, Nausicaä

• Future Boy Conan (TV series)

• Panda Kopanda (aka Panda! Go, Panda!) (two short films)

• the five episodes of Sherlock Hound he directed

• On Your Mark (music video)

(of course, there’s more)

[ilamont]

The only two animated films that have ever triggered an emotional response are Watership Down (when I was a kid) and Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies (when I was an adult). Both were really heavy in ways that are hard to articulate.

The trailer for the latter:

https://youtu.be/4vPeTSRd580?si=CAN__Md9KIKQcehN

[huytersd]

They are artistically sound and beautiful, but kind of boring to be honest. Kurosawa on the other hand satisfies all three.

[boppo1]

I think Sylvian Chomet is way closer to 'animation Mozart'. Miyazaki is very good, but overrated.

[robterrell]

I saw the film at a festival last month, not sure what to expect for a beloved creator coming out of retirement. I should not have been worried, it's astounding -- Del Toro isn't really exaggerating in that praise. I hadn't read about it being autobiographical until afterwards, but it did seem incredibly personal. I found it to be profoundly joyful and sad in multiple ways, especially in the aspect of a master searching for a protégé.

[Chanderton]

While not Miyazaki (but still Studio Ghibli), Isao Takahata's films Grave of the Fireflies (and to some extent, Princess Kaguya), isn't really some ”feel good” movies. Optimistic is the last thing i would describes those two masterpieces.

[boogieknite]

Had seen most of the Ghibli movies and then turned on Princess Kaguya for the first time as something to help my spouse fall asleep. By the end were both crying. This was 3 years ago and was the last time I cried and can't recall the last time I cried before that.

Princess Kaguya is my favorite Ghibli movie but also never rewatched because it's so emotional. All that and I'm not even a parent, let alone good with kids whatsoever.

[kleiba]

I haven't seen any of Miyazaki's work - which of his movies would you recommend I watch first and why?

[tehnub]

No better way to do it than release-order. Start with The Castle of Cagliostro and make your way to The Wind Rises. I'd recommend watching the films he wrote but didn't direct as well, which are Whisper of the Heart, The Secret World of Arrietty, and From Up on Poppy Hill.

[escapedmoose]

I would recommend starting with Spirited Away. It has a bit faster pacing than some of the others, and tons of interesting creatures that really show off the character design prowess. I love Miyazaki and Ghibli films in general, but they do put some people to sleep.

[Encrypt-Keeper]

If you'd prefer a path of greatest hits, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke are probably the titles you'll see recommended most often. Spirited Away being a sort of coming of age story filled more with a sense of wonder, whereas Princess Mononoke is a violent story centered around the complex struggle between man and nature, as is closer to a traditional fantasy setting if that's your bag.

[topaz0]

It really doesn't matter -- they are all incredible.

[baby]

Princess mononoke, totoro, spirited away, kiki, porco rosso, floating castle, castle in the sky, basically all of them except the last ones IMO (ponyo, the wind rises)

[pallas_athena]

Most of them are great but the absolute essentials are (imo): Spirited Away, Totoro, Princess Mononoke.

[victordevt]

Miyazaki's work is so different than the mainstream Japanese anime industry!

[ilrwbwrkhv]

I think the future will be a large group of Amish like who will be pacifists and shun technology and a group who live in the citadel with AI creating everything in their consciousness. Deeply unhappy but addicted to the rat race.

[pilsetnieks]

Neal Stephenson's Fall [1] is by far not his best book, however, the first part has a chilling depiction of societal divide into Ameristan and, for lack of a better word, the blue states that feels entirely plausible.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall;_or,_Dodge_in_Hell

[PakG1]

I told my wife that we should consider being farmers in the future. She said we'd starve to death. Can't figure out if I agree with her.

[TeMPOraL]

Shunning technology on its own won't lead to pacifism. Otherwise, what you described is pretty much a typical fantasy setting.

[stuckinhell]

I'm slowly coming around to this conclusion as well.

[skummetmaelk]

The future?

[webkike]

Ok