Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio, has captivated audiences worldwide with its enchanting storytelling and breathtaking visuals. However, even this celebrated studio has produced films that haven’t quite reached the same heights as its beloved classics. While Ghibli is known for masterpieces like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, some of their works have faced criticism for various reasons, including weaker narratives, less compelling characters, or simply failing to capture the studio’s signature magic.
This article delves into the five lowest-ranked films in Studio Ghibli’s repertoire, analyzing why these movies have not resonated with audiences and critics as much as others. It’s important to note that “worst” is a relative term, as even Ghibli’s less successful films often possess elements of charm and artistic merit.
5. Porco Rosso: A Charming Film That Missed the Mark
Porco Rosso, written and directed by the acclaimed Hayao Miyazaki, is a historical adventure set in post-World War I Italy. The film follows the exploits of Marco Pagot, a former ace pilot who has been cursed to live as an anthropomorphic pig. Known as “Porco Rosso,” he becomes a bounty hunter, navigating a world of seaplanes, aerial dogfights, and romantic entanglements.
While Porco Rosso boasts Miyazaki’s signature animation style and a vibrant setting, it fails to fully realize its potential. The film is charming and visually appealing but lacks the compelling narrative and emotional depth that typically define Miyazaki’s best works. The plot feels somewhat episodic, and the characters, while intriguing, don’t achieve the same level of relatability as those in other Ghibli films. Despite its unique concept and historical backdrop, Porco Rosso is often criticized for not reaching the same heights as other Ghibli movies.
4. Pom Poko: A Cultural Comedy With Shocking Elements
Directed by Isao Takahata, Pom Poko is a unique film that blends humor, fantasy, and environmental themes. It tells the story of a group of tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs) who use their shape-shifting abilities to fight against the human development encroaching upon their forest home. Pom Poko is filled with cultural references and a distinctive visual style, but it also contains elements that may be off-putting to some viewers.
The film’s comedic tone can feel jarring at times, and its depiction of the tanuki’s struggle against modernization is often presented in a chaotic manner. While it is a visually creative and ambitious film, some have found Pom Poko to be a disorganized and less emotionally engaging experience compared to Takahata’s other masterpieces like Grave of the Fireflies. Despite its noble environmental message, Pom Poko fails to connect with all audiences.
3. Tales from Earthsea: A Listless Adaptation
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Goro Miyazaki, Tales from Earthsea is an adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s beloved Earthsea fantasy series. The film follows Prince Arren, who is on a quest to uncover the source of a mysterious plague. While the film has some visually striking moments, it is often criticized for its weak storyline and flawed characters.
Many viewers found the film’s narrative to be confusing and disjointed, and the characters, despite their intriguing backstories, never quite come to life. There are claims of the plot not faithfully following the original book’s storyline, which further alienated the fans of the books. Furthermore, the animation, while competently executed, does not reach the same level of artistry that the audience has come to expect from Studio Ghibli. Tales from Earthsea remains a low point in the Ghibli filmography. It is considered a disappointment for many fans due to its lack of the studio’s usual narrative depth and emotional engagement.
2. Ocean Waves: A Lackluster Love Story
Ocean Waves, directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, is a television film that tells a coming-of-age story. It explores the complex relationship between three high school students: Taku, Yutaka, and Rikako. This is a rare Ghibli film that focuses on a realistic contemporary setting, rather than a fantastical one.
However, Ocean Waves has been described as a lukewarm love story, lacking the emotional resonance of other Ghibli movies. The characters are criticized for being underdeveloped, and the narrative is considered simplistic and predictable. The film, which was an attempt to give opportunities to younger staff at Ghibli, does not live up to the studio’s usual high standards. It did not get a major overseas release. Despite its intentions, Ocean Waves is a forgettable entry in the studio’s catalog.
1. Earwig and the Witch: A Charmless Experiment
Earwig and the Witch, also directed by Goro Miyazaki, is a significant departure from Studio Ghibli’s traditional animation style. It utilizes 3D CGI instead of hand-drawn animation and tells the story of an orphan girl named Earwig, who is adopted by a witch.
The film was criticized for its uninspired animation, which failed to capture the charm and beauty of Ghibli’s other works. The characters are also viewed as unlikable and the plot was considered weak, making Earwig and the Witch a low point in the Ghibli filmography. The film was widely panned by both critics and audiences and is seen as a significant misstep for Studio Ghibli. The movie is considered a charmless experiment that missed the mark.
Studio Ghibli: A Legacy of Excellence
Despite the few missteps, Studio Ghibli’s impact on animation remains monumental. Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, Isao Takahata, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, Studio Ghibli has produced a vast collection of beloved animated features. These films are celebrated for their strong storytelling, empowering themes, and stunning visuals, influencing animators, filmmakers, and game developers worldwide. Studio Ghibli became a household name in Japan through its major hits Princess Mononoke in 1997 and Spirited Away in 2001.
The studio has achieved both critical and commercial success over the years. Spirited Away won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003, and is the only non-English-language film to win the award. The studio’s most recent film, The Boy and the Heron (2023), has also received acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2024. While the films discussed above didn’t perform as well as the more celebrated films, Ghibli’s catalog contains numerous masterpieces that have made an indelible mark on the history of cinema.
Even the “worst” films from Studio Ghibli often possess a spark of creativity and a unique perspective. They serve as a reminder that even the most celebrated studios can have their ups and downs. The films mentioned above should not discourage any anime fan from exploring the rest of Studio Ghibli’s catalog. The studio has a track record of producing consistently high-quality films and the vast majority of their films are truly worth watching.
