The narrative, which takes place in late Muromachi Japan, centers on a young Emishi prince named Ashitaka and his involvement in a conflict pitting the spirits and gods of a forest against the people who use its resources.
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, it is based on Japanese and Shinto beliefs. Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl who, while moving to a new neighborhood, enters the world of kami after her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba.
The natural beauty and closeness to nature of rural Japan are encapsulated in My Neighbor Totoro. The presence of woodland spirits is a highlight for Japanese festivals, customs, and appreciation for the natural environment.
Based on The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, an ancient Japanese folktale, it reflects traditional Japanese art styles and explores themes of life, nature, and destiny with cultural references to the nobility of ancient Japan.
A modern masterpiece, the narrative tells the tale of two high school students, Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu, who had never met before but suddenly started switching bodies, wreaking havoc on each other's lives.
A film by Makoto Shinkai pays tribute to the serene beauty of Japan's rainy season. It presents ancient poetry, shoemaking, and the nuance of human interactions through a uniquely Japanese viewpoint.
Directed by Isao Takahata, Pom Poko centers on tanuki, creatures from Japanese folklore. A colony of Japanese raccoon dogs that strive to stop the increasing destruction of their home on the outskirts of Tokyo.