Outstanding example of the anime art.

Rating: 10/10 (12 December 2000)

Once again, proof positive that reality is for people who cannot handle fiction. Writer Miyazaki cleverly shows that life is not black and white, as one might assume from watching Western animation and movies. There is an interesting interplay of the forces of Good and Evil which shows that life is not merely black and white, but several shades of grey. Western movies and Western tastes want and need a clearly defined good guy and bad guy. Unfortunately, reality is not this way and this movie shows it.
This movie was the largest grossing movie in Japan (until "Titanic," that is) with good reason. The animation is of an amazing quality. The plot is better than most live action movies. There are many concepts dealt with, such as Man's place in the world viz. other men and viz. nature.
If you like deep movies with substance, then this is one for you.