It's a world out of time. A world where a young boy's dreams soar as high as the mythical floating island known as Laputa. Pazu's dreams are about to be realized, when Sheeta, a young princess and government escapee, literally floats down from the skies, saved only by a mysterious, glowing pendant-a pendant comprised of Levitation Crystal, the supposed power of Laputa itself! Now, pursued by pirates and Secret Service agents alike, Sheeta and Pazu seek the fabled island to fulfill Pazu's dreamquest and learn the secrets of Sheeta's clouded heritage.
Studio Ghibli is often referred to as the Disney of the East. Japanese animated films of only the highest quality have emerged from Studio Ghibli since its establishment in 1985, with several of these films having won awards.
The story of Little Norse Prince has its basis in the folklore of old northern Europe. Its hero is Hols, a brave young son of a fisherman. How brave is he? At the very beginning of the movie, Hols is in the midst of a battle with a large pack of wolves, armed with only an axe! The odds seem impossible and they are; but Hols wields his weapon expertly to fend off the hungry wolves. Finally, he is saved in the nick of time by Rockoor, a giant made of stone and earth, awakened from a seemingly centuries-old sleep by the sound of battle. Hols befriends the giant by removing a large sword wedged deep in his "shoulder boulder." Rockoor calls it the "sword of the sun" and predicts that when Hols needs it, the sword will aid him when he faces the evil of Grunwald the Frost King.
Tanuki are little raccoon-like creatures that appear in classical Japanese literature and possess legendary powers, such as the ability to transform themselves into statues or other beings. ‘Pom Poko’ presents a new Tanuki legend, telling of their attempts to stop humans over-developing their forest home in Tama Hills. Celebrating the history of Japanese storytelling, this film pays homage to many old tales and adopts a traditional style of music throughout. In depicting the desperate and at time tragic plight of the lovable Tanuki, as their forest home is literally paved over and new housing built, director Isao Takahata offers a reminder of what is at stake as a result of over-crowding in present-day Japan.
Sophie, an average teenage girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. After this chance meeting she is turned into a 90-year old woman by the vain and conniving Witch of the Waste. Embarking on an incredible adventure to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl's magical moving castle where she becomes acquainted with Markl, Howl's apprentice, and a hot-headed fire demon named Calcifer. As the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, and his relationship with Sophie deepens, our young grey heroine finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery that threatens their world.
It's a world out of time. A world where a young boy's dreams soar as high as the mythical floating island known as Laputa. Pazu's dreams are about to be realized, when Sheeta, a young princess and government escapee, literally floats down from the skies, saved only by a mysterious, glowing pendant-a pendant comprised of Levitation Crystal, the supposed power of Laputa itself! Now, pursued by pirates and Secret Service agents alike, Sheeta and Pazu seek the fabled island to fulfill Pazu's dreamquest and learn the secrets of Sheeta's clouded heritage.
In the land of Earthsea, crops are failing and livestock dying. Two dragons appear from the storm clouds and devour each other - an omen of impending disaster. The balance of the world is in peril of tearing apart. In his search for the cause of this encroaching catastrophe, the Archmage Ged, the greatest of wizards, meets Arren, exiled Prince of Enlad, in flight from a nameless Shadow. They journey through ruined landscapes to Hort Town - a city where blank citizens deal only in fake goods, slaves are traded and addicts wander the dangerous streets - and cross paths with Therru, an orphan girl with a fire-scarred face. Ged learns that the wizard Cob, in his search for eternal life, is preparing to open the door between the realms of the living and the dead. An old and defeated adversary, Cob has sworn to take terrible revenge on Ged.
From Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema, comes the Academy Award® winning masterpiece, 'Spirited Away'. 'Spirited Away' is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl named Chihiro who discovers a secret world of strange spirits, creatures and sorcery. When her parents are mysteriously transformed, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world.
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