The animations of Japan's Studio Ghibli are amongst the most highly regarded in the movie industry. Their films rank alongside the most popular non-English language films ever made, with each new release a guaranteed box-office smash. Yet this highly profitable studio has remained fiercely independent, with the studio's founders, long-time animators Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, producing a stream of imaginative and individual animations. Although their films are distinctly Japanese, their themes are universal: humanity, community and a love for the environment.
