As with many other museums around the world, Japan’s Ghibli Museum had to shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, thanks to the modern technology, you can now experience the museum online. Before heading to YouTube to check it out, though, you might want to brush up on your Ghibli knowledge by watching these classic Ghibli films on Netflix first.
Spirited Away (2001)
Chihiro and her parents come across an amusement park that looks abandoned. When her parents turn into giant pigs, Chihiro meets Haku, who explains that supernatural beings live at the park to take a break from life and that she needs to work in order to free her family.
Castle in the Sky (1986)
While orphan Sheeta and her kidnapper are flying to a military prison, their plane gets attacked by air pirates. Thanks to a magic crystal, Sheeta escapes and meets another orphan named Pazu. Together, they discover a floating city as the air pirates follow them in search for treasure.
Porco Rosso (1992)
Sky pirates terrorise cruise ships over the Adriatic Sea and Porco Rosso is the only pilot with the guts to stop them. As he gets ready for battle, Porco Rosso gets help from Fio Piccolo and Madame Gina.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Mei and Satsuki move to a new home to be closer to their hospitalised mother. They then meet a spirit named Totoro, who looks like a big rabbit, and become friends with him.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki and Jiji, her talking cat, move to the seaside to live alone for a year as Kiki trains to be a witch. Once she learns how to fly her broom, Kiki starts a courier service for the community. When she starts to doubt herself, however, she loses her powers and has to find a way to get them back.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
When Sophie befriends the wizard Howl, her boring life changes. For starters, Howl has a flying castle. Secondly, an evil witch casts a spell on her that makes her age faster. Howl must now use his magic to battle the witch and bring back Sophie’s youth.
Ponyo (2008)
When a princess goldfish meets Sosuke, a human boy, during a forbidden trip to the surface; he names her Ponyo. Ponyo dreams of being a human and becomes more and more like one as she gets closer to Sosuke. When Ponyo’s dad brings her back to the ocean, she spills various magical elixirs in an attempt to break free, in turn endangering their village.
Ghibli Museum may be closed at the moment, but you can check out bits of it on its YouTube channel including some of the artwork, the props, and what the museum looks like at night. Click here to visit Ghibli Museum’s YouTube channel!
