was officially formed in 1985. Before that time many of the writers, directors, producers and animators that would come to form Studio Ghibli worked together on several anime movies. These movies have much of the charm of Studio Ghibli features and are in many cases now also owned and distributed by Studio Ghibli. Despite their age these movies are of excellent quality, even by today’s

high standards, and are by all means worth a watch. Now considered Ghibli’s first full-length movie even though it was released a year before the official formation of the Studio, Nausicaa has aged a lot better than most of the other animes from that time. The art, music, and story-line of this anime were all way ahead of its time. The story revolves around the princess Nausicaa and how she gives

her absolute all to save those around her from both the aggressive foliage/fungi surrounding them, the neigh- bouring countries, and the impending threat of giant stampeding insects. One of the best sci-fi animes ever made, and certainly a must-view for any anime fan. You’ll be able to see why this put Ghibli in its formative years on the anime world’s map. A Pre-Ghibli film with a good measure

more heart than many of Takahata’s actual Ghibli movies. Gauche the Cellist is a cute if somewhat sedate movie about Gauche who is a cellist with a local orchestra and how he learns different important cello lessons from random talking animals that visit him every night including a tanuki, a cuckoo, a cat, and a pair of mice to prepare him for an upcoming concert. It’s pretty cute and recommended for

both adults and children. Good to watch on a rainy day. Ghibli is commonly known as the “Disney of Japan” and is certainly one of the largest anime studios in existence. Most of their movies are great for both adults and kids, the ones that aren’t are noted within their respective reviews.