14. Princess Kaguya (The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya)
Isao Takahatas The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya has been one of Ghiblis most critically acclaimed recent films, and it is down to a combination of beautiful animation (as always) and a wonderfully intelligent central character. Kaguya begins life as a tiny girl, found in a bamboo shoot by her adoptive parents. She grows very quickly and the story revolves around her relationships with potential suitors and her family. However, the majority of the narrative is predominantly subservient to the stunning visuals that surround and highlight her. Kaguya is a complex character, but the most powerful thing about her is the way that she becomes a visual device in and of herself. The animation is the storys nature, and Kaguya is treated as being a child of nature itself, as in the iconic sequences of her dancing in the wind and leaves. She is an excellent example of Ghiblis ability to construct a powerful figure through visuals primarily.
