Studio Ghibli: 7 Unforgettable Moments That Defined Their Films

7. "Ham!"

Film: Ponyo (2008) Despite ranking among their more child-friendly films, Ponyo serves as a recent example of Studio Ghibli's artistry. After they dabbled with CGI touches in films like Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo marked a return to hand-drawing as the sole method of animation. This back-to-basics approach was as refreshing as it is rare in modern cinema, carrying a sense of innocence that's reflected in the storytelling itself. Not every aspect of the studio's work is necessarily concerned with heavy-hitting themes and sweeping backdrops, and sometimes it's the little things that stick in the memory. Their films are full of moments that act as windows into the lives of their characters, portraying everyday habits like cooking, eating, cleaning, or tending to a garden with so much care and attention to detail that they are elevated from tedious asides to fascinating moments in their own right. Ponyo, while less cerebral than some of their other work, sticks firmly to this tradition - not least with the title character herself. Her love of ham makes for a cute catchphrase, sure, but beyond that it alludes to the character's relentless curiosity about all things human. It's a characteristic that's reflected in the studio's continued commitment to moments that aren't always rigidly linked to the film's plot, those charming digressions that can bely logical storytelling conventions and offer the audience an experience that's somehow both ordinary and ethereal at the same time.