I’ve seen lots of blogs on the ‘net about green living. And a lot of them have some great ideas on how to do so. I’ve actually taken some of the advice I’ve seen and applied it to my own way of living and it’s great so far. But then I started thinking about it. It doesn’t really do much for the atmosphere, now does it. I mean, in a way it does, but then in another way it doesn’t.
I’ve been watching Miyazaki movies for years. The first one I ever heard about though was Kiki’s Delivery Service. I thought it was a cute movie and I started looking into more of his films and then I saw Mononoke and Spirited Away. Very awesome movies. But the one movie that really caught my eye and got me thinking was Castle in the Sky. It’s one of his early films and was really amazing for it’s time.
Miyazaki is also very green. I should have mentioned this at the start, but better late then never right? If you watch the interviews with him, he says that he’s always thinking of ways to show his love of the earth in his films. And he does a very good job at it (ie: Mononoke). So in watching these films, although they are cartoons, I’ve seen a lot of ideas we could take from these movies and make them real to help our environment and earth become better and healthier.
For example, steam powered vehicles. Or flying craft instead of using cars.
Other then the people who hate to fly, this would be the perfect way to cut down on gases entering our atmosphere. Then there is the all mighty bicycle.
Now, Miyazaki isn’t perfect in his visions. Hell, no one is. You have to have some kind of idea what contradicts what you are trying to show. So we have the car, or engine powered machina (machine). But it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Although he makes use of gas powered vehicles, it’s always hardly driven or it runs on something that can be taken from the earth but also replenished. An alternate form of fuel perhaps? Who knows. Personally I’d like to see some of the world go back to horse drawn carriages and such. That would be so cool 
Honestly though, I encourage you to see all of his films and see the ideas he has. What would be great is if we could get our government officials to do the same and maybe implement some of the good ideas. Maybe our world would become just what we want it to be. A greener, healthier place to live. 
I think whatever steps we can take to be better stewards of our world is a good thing!
I really REALLY enjoy his movies but I’ve never really thought that he had some green ideas though. But now that you mention it I can regocnize some.
Yeah, I think those ideas would help save the mother earth.
I’ve watched some of those movies and enjoyed them. Except I recognize castle in the sky but I can’t remember if I have seen it. Maybe it’s in my netflix que.
I’m not a huge fan of anime (especially the old style that looks like it’s drawn with a marker that Miyazaki’s movie’s represent), it’s cute and all but it annoys me… but I wanted to pipe in and go “bf’s niece did Finnish lead role dubbing of Kiki’s Delivery Service!” :)
I think I’ve seen this show before. Can’t be sure b/c Dumb Dad has tons of that stuff around, but it looks really familiar. I always miss the “message” though b/c I’m too busy laughing at the funny stuff they do. Anyway, thanks for sharing. Came by from the MBC comment club!
love miyazaki, i really want to see ponyo. anything of his is great! he really was a great guy. him and Tezuka
Ponyo was an awesome movie. You really should see it, you’ll love it
I absolutely adore Miyazaki …averything about him. I agree he is really pushing the green and living in harmony messag. I think it is part of his cultural aesthetic to search for balance. My son is 3 and we have been watching his child appropriate films since he was 18 months or so. My neighbor Totoro was one of the first longer movies he really sat for. He and I are drawn to the whimsical characters as well as the female heroines. (he also loves Leia). I was thriled to see that with the realese of ponyo Ghibaldi released my ,neighbir totoro, kikis delivey service and castles in the sky. …all his best lil kid flicks. Thanks for the post love it
We LOVE LOVE Kiki’s delivery service,it is a regular on our netflix queue,we just watched Ponyo and that too was a hit with the kids.
In my opinion,everyday should be earth day:0)
I think every little thing can help. Horse drawn carriages would be awesome!
Aargh, should not have read the other comments – now I have the ponyo song stuck in my head – again! I love Miyazaki and the studio ghibli ouvre, but the songs are major earworms *lol*
Although I do think his films have strong environmental themes, I think the prevalence of the bicycle is more a reflection of life in Japan. There are a lot more bikes than cars here. You should see the cycle parking at my local station (a medium-sized town in Central Japan) – there must be thousands of bicycles parked there on a weekday!
I love old style animes! I have Mononoke and Spirited Away on DVD. Both of them are amazing films. I would definitely check out the other two you have mentioned.
I LOVE Princess Mononoke! One of my favourite movies of all time! Never seen any of the others though, I definitely need to. I’ll try and pick those up soon. <3
You know, I never noticed that until now! He is pretty green! My favorite would have to be Howl’s Moving Castle or Spirited Away. I love how he incorporates characters from past movies into the others. :)
I love all of his movies!
Well I don’t go tooo much out of my way to be “green”, but I always reject plastic bags at stores unless I need them + recycle paper/cans/bottles, etc… just simple stuff that I think is common sense anyway. Buuut, I loooove Miyazaki’s movies! I’ve watched them since I was a kid, for as long as I can remember. My all-time faves were My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service – it’s funny cos mum always liked to say I looked/acted like Kiki, with a red bow in my hair ><
My daughter and I saw Kiki’s Delivery Service when she was littler. We really liked it.
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest to you! :)
I’ve been meaning to watch Castle In The Sky for a long time… I will be sure to do it :)
Wow that’s pretty cool that you recognized that about his films. Now I want to watch them.
Love your blog, Good information , I am following now!
Angela I.
http://Groovybabyblog.blogspot.com
I don’t know why I haven’t watched his movies. After reading your observations I’m sure my girls would like them. I better go check them out! :->
(Following you from MBC )
I think a lot of Japanese films & anime have been green messages for awhile, if I think about it, even back to the old Godzilla movies, that was all about no nukes! My son & dil even in they, ehem.. mid 30′s still love anime & toons of all kind. I will have to see if they know about kiki’s delivery service? thanks for the info!
Thanks Jennifer for your comment. I had to stop by your “crappy” blog! Very cute. Anyway, yeah the whole following thing, I guess I’d rather get comments than followers. You seem to get a lot. Are you hooked up to a social network?
I’m just a mom of 3, working part time feeding my techie addiction with blogging. Thanks for dropping by, hope to see you again!
I’m been a huge Miyazaki fan since I was twelve years old. I’m so glad to see other people pick up on his Green messages. It’s all about the Earth, people. It always will be.
A lot of people don’t think that pulling out an unused plug (like your blow dryer when you’re done with it) won’t do much but it has been reported that 75% of electricity is the usage of just a plug in the socket..even if it isn’t turned on. People don’t think it makes a difference but it does. You could potentially save the Earth little by little by telling everyone else how they could save electricity. :) So, I’m glad you’re looking more into it.
My friend says that she uses a bucket to catch all of the cold water that comes out of her shower head before it turns to warm water. She then uses the water to water her plants. :) Pretty smart, right? I try not to throw my clothes in the laundry unless it’s dirty/smelly.
I also try to park super far to get a little exercise & to turn off my engine as soon as possible when I get to my destination. Plus it’ll be a little bit closer to my house, right?
[...] just something about them that makes me fall in love with them. I think it’s the green messages alongside the beautiful animation and artwork. It could also be the friendships and loves between [...]