Every Studio Ghibli Movie Ranked Worst To Best
15. Ponyo (2008)
Taking inspiration from The Little Mermaid and Ghibli's previous hit My Neighbour Totoro, Ponyo follows a goldfish who turns herself into a human after connecting with the boy who saved her from the ocean.
The perfect Ghibli starting point for younger audiences, Ponyo is arguably the studio's most child-friendly adventure, a comforting, funny ode to friendship and imagination that still manages to pack an emotional punch for adults as well.
According to Toshio Suzuki, Ponyo was created by Miyazaki in an attempt to match Totoro, the studio's official mascot and most recognisable character, and you can feel his passion flow throughout the movie.
No, it doesn't quite reach the highs of Totoro - what could? - but Ponyo comes as close as any project has before or since. It's just lovely.