Studio Ghibli marks 40 years, but future looks uncertain

Uncertain future & identity of Ghibli

• Many argue the studio’s creative soul is inseparable from Hayao Miyazaki (and, historically, Isao Takahata).
• Several predict that when Miyazaki dies, whatever bears the Ghibli name afterward will feel like a shadow of the original.
• Others push back, saying Ghibli is a mid‑sized company with many staff; it could continue, decline, or transform—none is “inherently better.”

Comparisons to other studios and creators

• Disney is a recurring analogy: some say Disney “died” with Walt artistically, others cite the “Disney Renaissance” as proof great work can follow a founder.
• There’s debate about lost 2D craft at Disney and outsourced traditional animation.
• Other auteurs mentioned as spiritual peers or counterpoints include Makoto Shinkai, Mamoru Hosoda, Satoshi Kon, Don Bluth, and various European directors. Views on them range from “worthy successors” to “derivative” or one‑note.

Film rankings and ‘quiet’ favorites

• Princess Mononoke draws especially intense praise and repeated claims of “favorite Ghibli film,” with some calling it near‑perfect.
• Other highly ranked works: Totoro, Spirited Away, Nausicaa, Laputa, Kiki, Porco Rosso.
• Several highlight “quieter” or more adult films—Up On Poppy Hill, Only Yesterday, The Wind Rises, When Marnie Was There, The Secret World of Arrietty—as underrated, emotionally powerful, or better appreciated with age.

Takahata, tragedy, and awards

• Strong praise for Grave of the Fireflies and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya; some see them as among Ghibli’s best works.
• A minority dismiss Grave as “depressing Oscar bait”; others respond that it is semi‑autobiographical, boundary‑pushing, and unfairly minimized because it uses “kids’ animation” for adult themes.
• General skepticism toward the Oscars as a meaningful quality signal.

Subs, dubs, and localization

• Princess Mononoke’s dub is seen as technically strong but criticized for meaning changes, added crude humor (e.g., a fart/raspberry gag), and tonal shifts.
• Some prefer the original Japanese performances, especially specific characters.

AI, generative art, and ‘continuing’ Miyazaki

• A proposal that AI could extend “Miyazaki universes” provokes strong backlash: many call it disrespectful, soulless, or antithetical to his ethos.
• Critics emphasize intentionality, emotional depth, and the right for art and studios to end instead of being endlessly prolonged as content.
• Others argue tools like AI or sampling can, in principle, empower new artists, but agree that calling AI imitations “Miyazaki” would be misleading.