Hayao Miyazaki, all 12 films (from worst to best)

After pulverizing every record, The boy and the heron flies into Italian cinemas. The latest feature film by the Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki comes ten years ago The wind picks up; the film in which he announced his retirement. However, in 2016 he decided to retrace his steps and direct a new animated film. Candidate for Golden Globes, The boy and the heron tells the extraordinary adventure of a child named Mahito Maki who, guided by a talking heron, discovers an abandoned tower inside which there is a fantastic world populated by bizarre creatures. A semi-autobiographical fantasy selected as the opening title, the first animated, of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was screened with an introduction by Guillermo del Toro.

Of the foundation of the legendary Studio Ghibli to Oscar Prize For The enchanted cityMiyazaki who will turn January 5th 83 years old It is considered one of the most iconic and visionary directors of the last 50 years: a figure halfway between Walt Disney and Akira Kurosawa. Between themes dearest to the great filmmaker we find childhood, the environment and antimilitarism. We celebrate the return of animation sensei with the ranking of all 12 titles, from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind at the end of the film testament which is close to five.

12. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Miyazaki's first fantasy film, it is based on the first sixteen chapters of the manga of the same name. The story of Nausicaa, princess of the Valley of the Wind, who finds herself in the middle of a war fought between two enemy kingdoms. A dark and sincere film. Although it was made before its founding, it is often considered a product of Studio Ghibli.

11. Porco Rosso (1992)

Miyazaki imagines the story of a pilot who is also a pig. Our protagonist drives a red seaplane, in the film called “Savoia S-21” (corresponding to the real SIAI S.21, although the director was mostly inspired by the Macchi M.33 monoplane). Miyazaki revealed that the ghost plane scene was inspired by a passage from a Roald Dahl story.

10. Lupine III – The castle of Cagliostro (1979)

Miyazaki's debut is dedicated to the gentleman thief by the mangaka Monkey Punch. Lupine III is a famous franchise in Japan, spanning manga, anime, animated and live-action films. Definitely one of the director's most comical films.

9. Laputa – Castle in the sky (1986)

First film produced with Studio Ghibli. Centered on a city floating in the sky, it follows the story of two children who find themselves catapulted into something much bigger than themselves. Already it becomes clear that Miyazaki loves castles and things that are in flight; here he combines both elements. A classic.

8. The wind risesor (2013)

Film adaptation of the manga of the same name by Miyazaki himself, in turn vaguely inspired by the novel of the same name by Tatsuo Hori. It is a semi-biographical work that fictionally re-elaborates the life of the Japanese aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi.

7. Ponyo on the cliff (2008)

The Ponyo fish is collected from the ocean and cared for by a five-year-old boy. Forced to return to sea, Ponyo transforms into a child to reunite with her friend. The screenplay is based on the short story Iya Iya En by the Japanese writer Rieko Nakagawa, illustrated by Yuriko Yamawaki. A colorful and carefree fantasy.

6. The boy and the heron (2023)

Nominated for the Golden Globe, it tells the extraordinary adventure of a child named Mahito Maki who, guided by a talking heron, discovers an abandoned tower inside which there is a fantastic world populated by bizarre creatures. A semi-autobiographical fantasy selected as the opening title, the first animated, of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was screened with an introduction by Guillermo del Toro. Fun fact: the book covers seen in one scene allude to other Ghibli projects.

5. Princess Mononoke (1997)

A warrior princess fights to defend her forest. For the natural scenery, the director took inspiration from the Yakushima forest. Its 133 minute running time makes it Miyazaki's longest and perhaps most epic film to date. Certainly, the most monumental in the monumental career of the Japanese master.

4. Kiki – Home deliveries (1989)

Based on the novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono, the film follows the adventures of a thirteen-year-old witch riding her broom. During the production phase, Miyazaki and her artists traveled to Sweden to research the film. Photographs taken in Stockholm and Visby formed the basis of the fictional city of Koriko. The city also contains elements of Lisbon, Paris, San Francisco and Milan.

3. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

The amazing story of Sophie and her encounter with the bizarre wizard Howl. Miyazaki draws from Diana Wynne Jones' 1986 novel of the same name. It is the third film by the master of animation to feature the word “Castle” in the title. A title that doesn't lie; the castle actually moves, and there are many other strange and fantastic sights to admire.

2. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

The friendship between two little sisters and a furry creature. Miyazaki's environmentalist fairy tale par excellence. Even those who haven't seen it will notice a certain familiarity with the titular character, as Totoro has become the mascot of Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki's animation company founded in 1985. A legendary film. A hymn to childhood.

1. The enchanted city (2001)

The most celebrated title that brings together fans and casual admirers of Miyazaki's imagery. Inspired by the novel The wonderful country beyond the fog by Sachiko Kashiwaba, the film tells the story of little Chihiro who comes into contact with an enchanted city inhabited by spirits called yōkai. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Film, the first and so far only anime to win this award. Masterpiece.