The Collected Works of Hayao Miyazaki Blu-ray | Studio Ghibli Anime Movie Set

If you're a fan of animation movies, this is a must-have item. A masterpiece at the reasonable price.

If you are a fan of Miyazaki movies then you must buy this collection. Pieces of art in the real sense of the word.

Okay, if I’m being very nitpicky, I should’ve checked when the blu-ray discs were produced (2015). When comparing the images with HBO Max, the colors are brighter and ever so slightly more saturated on the streaming service. Not surprised, but I digress. The quality is still amazing, very clear, and I love that I have the option of the original Japanese audio or flipping over to English dub. I’ve been wanting a Studio Ghibli box set for forever and now I have it and I am SO FREAKING HAPPY. I love all of the films included and I love that there’s a bonus of Hayao Miyazaki’s earliest works (haven’t watched yet, but excited to!). The only reason I don’t feel complete yet is because I don’t have some of my other favorite films. Highly recommend if you’re a Miyazaki fan or if you want all the Studio Ghibli films (except for The Boy and the Heron), it’s on their official website for $300 right now.

This collection is the best thing I have ever purchased. It is why money exists, why it is a medium of exchange that permits us to gather up some hours on the factory floor or in an office or in the field and trade them for a man's life work. Because that's what this is. Hayao Miyazaki is rightly legend for his masterful animation and directorial skills combined with his deeply insightful approach to human nature and relationships. But it is not until you see his movies together as a whole that you even begin to grasp the depths of his talent. These films are like chapters in a man's life, each one building on earlier themes, re-examining them, and then propelling those lessons forward to the next chapter. And yet each is wonderful and accessible in its own way, often featuring protagonists and narratives that resonate with children and adults at the same time. Castle in the Sky overlaps with Nausicaa overlaps with Spirited Away overlaps with My Neighbor Totoro in ways that can only really be appreciated if you watch them in close proximity, and it is incredible how doing so with people younger and older than yourself will cause different generations to see different things and give you a deeper understanding of both the films and each other. When I watch Ponyo with my daughters, we enjoy it from a youthful perspective of exploration, testing boundaries, and young love. When I watch Ponyo with my parents, we enjoy it from their perspective similar to the retired old ladies in the film as an older, watchful generation that sees change as a force to be appreciated as much as feared. This is a gift. That his films can simultaneously resonate with people three generations apart is impossible to the point of seeming like a magic trick, yet occurs as naturally as breathing. All I can ask is that you trust me on this and buy it. This is what it is to be human.

Personally, the price tag is a bit steep for 11 films IMO, but it's what can be expected from Disney distribution. That being said, the presentation is fantastic. The case for the book is beautiful and my kids love flipping through the pages to pick their movie. For any fan of Miyazaki, this is a no brainer. The case is very similar to the six film box set for Star Wars that came out about 5+ years ago. For those who have not seen all of these films and are considering it because they just know a few of them, it's worth the pick up.

Only downside, is there is no digital download, but these films aren't available digitally right now anyway . . . which is why I ended up purchasing the box set.