“I’ve never felt so peaceful before,” Sophie—a character from the film Howl’s Moving Castle—expresses. 

Indeed, Sophie’s comment embodies what we felt as we watched the film on Sunday, Sept. 24, with its serene animation and remarkable story, created by none other than Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli is an animation studio, founded on June 15, 1985, by film producers Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, Isao Takahata and Yasuyoshi Tokuma. 

In 2005, Howl’s Moving Castle was released in US cinemas, with cinemas continuing to play this film annually through an event called Studio Ghibli Fest. Studio Ghibli Fest is just what it sounds like: an annual showing of Studio Ghibli’s films in theaters. GKIDS – the North American distributor of their films – and Fathom Events help remind fans of the world of Studio Ghibli throughout this event. 

In addition to the films, audiences were able to see the first-time adapted play of the film Spirited Away in late April. The screening was two hours and 55 minutes, compared to the animated version, which is two hours and 5 minutes.  

Another film, My Neighbor Totoro, was available at cinemas from Mar. 25-29. 

“I would watch [My Neighbor Totoro] again,” Tualatin High School senior Taylor Thompson shared. 

Thompson saw the film in last year’s Studio Ghibli Fest.  

This year’s event is almost over, but the last film scheduled to show this year will be Spirited Away. It’s no surprise, as it had a live-adaptation play and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Picture at the 75th Academy Awards. 

Whether it be Ponyo on DVD or My Neighbor Totoro on Amazon Prime Video, the Studio Ghibli Fest offers an incomparable watching experience! Spirited Away will be showing Saturday, Oct. 28 through Wednesday, Nov. 1. Secure your tickets for a wonderful and nostalgic movie, but if you can’t, there’s always next year.