animation, hayao miyazaki, studio ghibli, the boy and the heron, wwii

8 Outstanding Books That Inspired Studio Ghibli Films

Fans were ecstatic when Studio Ghibli made its entire back library (save for the World War II drama Grave of the Fireflies) accessible on Netflix in Europe. This historic win for Netflix provides fans with a new opportunity to delve into works that are among the finest films ever created, not just in Japanese animation ...

Ratul Saha

From the 'Grave of Fireflies.'

7 Life Lessons From the Magical World of ‘My Neighbor Totoro’

My Neighbor Totoro, or simply Totoro to Studio Ghibli fans, has cemented itself among the best-animated movies. Aside from the great drawings and cute characters, Studio Ghibli infused My Neighbor Totoro with solid emotional resonances and life lessons. ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ synopsis The plot of My Neighbor Totoro is simple, with hardly any exterior conflicts. ...

Viena Abdon

'My Neighbor Totoro.'

New Zealand: A New World, a New Life, With Endless Possibilities

There are many reasons for people from China wanting to migrate to New Zealand. It is a peaceful, stable, democratic, and prosperous country with great people, great scenery, and good quality of life. Mary chose New Zealand because of her family pressuring her to get married. She left China when she was 33. Mary once ...

Michael Segarty

Woman sitting on a hill at sunset.

Watch This Classic Russian Animation: ‘Hedgehog in the Fog’

Yuri Norstein’s 1975 Hedgehog in the Fog is one of the greatest lyrical stop-motion animated shorts to come out of Russia. The film is loaded with atmosphere and a unique soundscape, and is based on a Sergey Kozlov folktale of the same title. Kozlov, a much-loved Russian children’s writer is known for his bedtime stories, which also keep parents ...

Jessica Kneipp

A still from the Russian animation 'Hedgehog in the Fog.'

Inspiration from Iconic Disney Animator Aaron Blaise

Aaron Blaise is an internationally renowned artist and animator, having spent over 30 years in the industry working for Disney on Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, and many other films that have stood as beloved treasures of our time. Aaron Blaise currently teaches animation and art in classes and workshops around ...

Emma Lu

Aaron Blaise.

The Beautiful Silhouette Animations of Lotte Reiniger

Charlotte “Lotte” Reiniger was a film director, an animator, and a trailblazer for women in the film industry. Lotte Reiniger was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1899, and throughout her life, she made over 40 films. She also made one of the world’s first animated features, The Adventures of Prince Achmed. Her films are most ...

Jessica Kneipp