A story about a fish who wishes to be a human being after meeting a boy on the shore, as she had fallen in love with him. The father strongly disagrees to let her daughter go as he is fully aware of the bad side of the human beings. However her mother being a compasionate person, gave the boy a chance to keep her daughter by giving him a test that he must pass or Ponyo (the female fish) will go back to the sea, as a sea foam.
Release by Studio Ghibli on 2008
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Won the Animation of the Year in Japan Academy
Ponyo Movie Soundtrack listing is available at GhibliWiki.
Lyrics available for 崖の上のポニョ（映画バージョン )(Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, Film version) -lyrics, translation
Observation:
The general idea of the story seems to be the same with the Little Mermaid, but the characters and situation are totally different. I love their little boat, just lit a candle and it has enough power to speed along the waters.
And take a look, this concept actually existed a long time ago, here's how to make a putt putt boat and a little history, click on sciencetoymaker.org
Haru a high school student saved a cat from being hit by a truck. While recovering from the ordeal, the cat suddenly stands on it's two hind legs, and said thank you for saving his life. She wasn't aware that she has saved Luna the Prince of the Cat Kingdom. Arriving home she asked her mother if cats can talk, which reminded her mom that when she was little she did mentioned that she can talk to cats. That night, a cat procession arrive at Haru's street, it was Luna's Father, the King of the Cat Kingdom came to say thank you, and that there will be gifts to express their appreciation. However aside from the gifts, as part of their gratitude Haru will be given as a hand in marriage to the Prince. Realizing that the situation was serious, she went to find the Cat Business Office suggested to her by a sweet voice, there she found the cat named Baron who runs the office and asked for his help. As they were discussing how to go about her situation, the cats from the Kingdom suddenly took Haru away, Baron and his company gave chase. Will the Baron be able to help her? Can Haru ever go back to her world?
The story is quite amusing and appeals to teenagers and the young at heart. This is a prequel for the anime Whisper of the Heart.
Release from Studio Ghibli on 2002
Directed by Hiroyuki Morita
Got a Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival
Movie Soundtrack title listing can be viewed at thepiratebay.org site, you can also listen so some of music online.
Sophie an 18 year old hat maker who was rescued by Howl (a wizard) from soldiers who wanted to harass her, unfortunately took a liking with her at their first meeting. This made the Witch of the Waste furious with her as she has been wanting Howl's heart for a long time. That evening, the Witch gave her a visit and turned her into a old hag and adding a curse that she could not tell anyone about her condition. So she decided to ran away from home. As she was travelling, she accidentally found a scarecrow, who she named Turnip Head, however Turnip Head would not leave her alone, so she asked him if he can help her find a place to stay. Turnip did, but it was Howl's castle that he had summoned. With no other choice, Sophie boarded the wizard's castle which was always on the move. There she found a fire demon named Calcifer, who saw easily that she was under a spell. So he made a deal with her that he will help her with her curse, if she helped him with his. Will the two of them be successful in breaking each other's curse?
A story about courage, finding the true value of one's self. And falling in love.
From Studio Ghibli released on 2004
Author: Hayao Miyazaki
Nominated for Best Animated Featured in the Academy Awards in 2006
A story about two sister's adventure on their encounter with the spirits of the forest.
It starts with the family moving to the country side to be near their mother's hospital. Who was confine due to some illness. As the children roam the house, they encountered the dust spirits, who would quickly shun away from the light. A few days after, the younger sister Mei was playing outside the garden when she saw two ears of what seems to be from a white rabbit, following them she fell in a tree and met Totoro. Which later her father explain to her must be the keeper of the forest.
Satsuki the eldest after hearing it would also like to meet Totoro, but the chance came much later during the night, as they waited for their father's bus to arrive. And both girls was delighted that they were able to meet Totoro again, and they even received a gift from him after Satsuki lend him her umbrella.
Each time the girls was in a fix Totoro would be there to comfort them. Totoro's help gave them strength to face the emotional hardship they encountered while waiting for their mother's return.
From Studio Ghibli
Author: Hayao Miyazaki
Released on 1988 in Japan and later by Walt Disney pictures
Won the Best Film in Mainichi Film Award and Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in 1988
Chichiro a 10 year old girl didn't like the idea of moving to a new place but was force to, due to her parents, when her Dad took a shortcut to reach their new home, they got lost. They found a tunnel leading to what seems to be an abandoned amusement park. They started to wander around to take a look at the place, her parents found an abandoned stall filled with food, unfortunately since they were travelling they were hungry. Her parents started to eat the food, but Chichiro was a little uneasy about the place that she didn't dare. So she decided to look around more, during her wanderings, she saw Haku. Who immediately warned her to leave the place before nightfall. By the time she has gotten back to her parents, they have been transformed to pigs, and the spirits who occupied the place started to appear.
Totally frightened now and at lost, she ran back to the path where they had come from, unfortunately the small stream that they had previously crossed was now a river. Haku found her, and helped, but in order to get back to her world, she needs the help of the witch Yubaba, who rans the bathhouse and also the one responsible for turning her parents to pigs. But Yubaba was a ruthless witch and did not wish to help, she must find a way to make Yubaba grant her wish, or forever be trapped in the spirit world and lose her parents as they will be slaughtered.
Released on 2001 in Japan and 2002 in Canada
Author: Hayao Miyazaki
This film has earned 200 Million before opening in the US.
This has been release worldwide.
Has won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature last 2003
Movie Soundtrack:
1. One Summer's Day (あの夏へ)
2. Road To Somewhere (とおり道)
3. Empty Restaurant (誰もいない料理店)
4. Nighttime Coming (夜来る)
5. Dragon Boy (竜の少年)
6. Sootballs (ボイラー虫)
7. Procession Of The Spirits (神さま達)
8. Yubaba (湯婆婆)
9. Bathhouse Morning (湯屋の朝)
10.Day Of The River (あの日の川)
11.It's Hard Work (仕事はつらいぜ)
12.Stink Spirit (おクサレ神)
13.Sen's Courage (千の勇気)
14.Bottomless Pit (底なし穴)
15. No Face (カオナシ)
16. Sixth Station (6番目の駅)
17. Yubaba's Panic (湯婆婆狂乱)
18.House At Swamp Bottom (沼の底の家)
19.Reprise (ふたたび)
20.Return (帰る日)
21.Always With Me (いつも何度でも) - lyrics, translation
Thanks to wikipedia for this list of titles. If you wish to download the music to listen to it, go to torrent, but I would suggest buying the originals.
If you want to play the soundtrack in an instrument, music sheets can be viewed on ichigo site.
Below is also the making of the film. If you are interested, go ahead and watch it.
