An 8-Year-Old Fantasy Gem Every Ghibli Fan Should Watch

Few animation companies can equal Studio Ghibli’s narrative genius, which is renowned for its sumptuous imagery and Hayao Miyazaki’s unmatched storytelling. Laika’s ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ is a notable exception to the rule that few Western films imitate Ghibli’s ability to weave intricate narratives with cultural depth. Despite receiving praise from critics and being nominated for an Oscar, this stop-motion masterpiece did poorly at the box office and was eclipsed by more commercially successful films. Nevertheless, Kubo is a monument to inventive visuals and narrative.

The story of Kubo, a small child who has the enchanted power to manipulate origami through music, is told in ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’. His mother saves him from peril and sends him on a mission to recover three mystical treasures with his friends Monkey and Beetle. 

Image Courtesy: IMDb

They encounter strong foes along the road, such as the mysterious Moon King and a gigantic skeleton. Although fans of the genre will recognize the story’s turns, the journey, which is based on family and Japanese culture, is what makes it so captivating.

Ghibli’s style is strongly incorporated into the movie’s tempo, cultural allusions, and narrative complexity. It is reminiscent of ‘Princess Mononoke’, ‘Spirited Away’, and ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ due to its feudal Japanese background, cherry blossoms, and supernatural aspects. Its examination of loss and grief, however, is similar to that of ‘When Marnie Was There’ and ‘Grave of the Fireflies’. Kubo incorporates classic Japanese art elements, such as Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave’ and Kuniyoshi’s ‘Skeleton Spectre’, even into his visual style.

Image Courtesy: LAIKA Studios

The picture is elevated by Laika’s adoption of Japanese aesthetics, such as the “perfect imperfection” of wabi-sabi, and its preference for contemplative quiet over continuous conversation. ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’, which offers a distinctive fusion of old and new ideas that strikes a deep chord with Ghibli aficionados, is nonetheless an artistic accomplishment despite its lacklustre economic success.

–Farheen Ali