Castle in the Sky - Introducing Ghibli - What's in an OP?

A way too deep analysis of anime openings. This week - the OP that introduced Ghibli.
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In the depths of his Mother's Basement, Geoff Thew creates videos analyzing the storytelling techniques of anime and video games. He has been named the number one Worst KZbin Anime Reviewer by The Top Tens.

[@buzzbuzzluke]

So, I have a story to share about this movie. This is probably my single favorite movie ever, and I wanted to share it with my girlfriend. She was a long-distance girlfriend, so I had to drive maybe 4 hours to visit her. We spent the day together and near the end, we watched Castle in the Sky together. I head off down the road (it's about 2 in the morning at this point) and I tune into the radio to keep awake on a lonely late-night California highway drive home. I thought I was nuts, but as soon as I tuned into a station, I heard that beautiful orchestral music. Turns out it was a BBC America radio story about Castle in the Sky. It was really special to hear the story about the making of this movie, and really capped the night for me. Really wish I could find that radio piece again!

[@emmad.8815]

Aw how special :)

[@jameswat6806]

@@emmad.8815 I hope she enjoyed it. This movie means so much to me, I hope I can find someone who sees what a masterpiece it is.

[@emmad.8815]

James Wat I agree this is my favorite movie, from the first time i saw it I was completely blown away. Just stunning

[@camilletexidor3730]

The music is on spotify of you want

[@AnnMidas]

Omg this is so beautiful 💜💜

[@kevinjoseph9790]

Geoff please do more studio ghibli movie analysis

[@kaltenstein7718]

i'd like nausicaä too, and i would say calling Castle in the sky the first Ghibli movie is just half the truth

[@azeroi]

Does anyone know whose grave it is?

[@notabot1688]

monica duran It's the fireflies's

[@cohenjc1992]

Please do this for more Ghibli movies!

[@vicenteortegarubilar9418]

Literally in my top 10 childhood openings. God bless you anime Pope.

[@SuperKendoman]

Laputa and Totoro were my childhood as well, I first watched it 20 odd years ago. I watched it again recently and I now understand the themes and the ideas that Miyazaki was trying to get across through this movie. I think I should revisit other movies I used to watch as a kid and see what kind of new things I will discover.

[@arghyaprotimhalder5592]

Yupppp i watched it as a child on tv forgot the name watched it again . Amazing

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Ghibli films, some of the most beautiful and awe inspiring animation you'll ever see period.

[@Dinodawson42]

Masterpiece is an understatement if you ask me

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

No kidding, Princess Mononoke dam near made me cry with out beautiful it was.

[@Dinodawson42]

@@thefanwithoutaface8105 i love the design of howl's moving castle the most and my neighbour totoro, porco rosso is often forgotten

[@citruscomb]

And yet...no one in my class has seen a single Ghibli film...

[@Dinodawson42]

@@citruscomb not even spirited away? I thought everyone has seen that, your class hasn't lived

[@Dinodawson42]

If you haven't watched this film, do it now, because it is truly a masterpiece

[@arghyaprotimhalder5592]

Yupppp when i watched it i felt I am in different world felt emotions for characters. Loving story, graphics are beautiful and gives me hope, I want to escape this modern life of stress and work culture and do a adventure. It's amazing. Emotion are played perfectly

[@gamemaster0107]

I have seen all 21 Ghibli movies. Still my favourite of them all.

[@Sqwivig]

Same here! Castle in the Sky is my favorite Ghibli film ever

[@emmad.8815]

It's my favorite movie!!

[@asheilysantes4326]

I know! Simply everything that happens in this film I run out of words, everything in it excites me and makes me feel the adventure.

[@hachipanki8634]

Same dude, same

[@Minnan1]

The opening to Castle in the Sky is one that brings a few tears to my eyes. It's gorgeous.

[@toonguy7739]

So, I'm British (Welsh actually) so my interactions with the Ghibli films up until this year was fairly minimal. I knew they existed, I knew that they were meant to be brilliant and that they were essentially one of the main things that people in my area that I know of thought of in terms of anime in general. So I was a little skeptical. They can't be that good, I thought. My interaction with Miyzaki was better, but not by much. I'd seen Castle of Cagliostro, and while I'd certainly found it....well, brilliant (It introduced me to Lupin III which is something I will be grateful for), I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. So I put this on in August when it was Ghibli month over here, and expected I'd get bored of it pretty quickly. This intro got me into the story near immediately. Especially in contrast to the introductory scene, which was fast paced and exciting, but also quite surprising considering I'd had no real set up for the film in advance. But then that music starts up with a proper orchestra, and the images on the screen look so good even now and AAH I love it! It was something I'd never really seen before in anime, even down to the look of it, the fairytale like qualities of this made me interested to see more of it. I really have this to thank for sticking with Ghibli month, discovering two new favorites (This and Mononoke) COUNTLESS new favorite characters (Nausicca, Lady Eboshi, Lord Yuta, DAMN NEAR EVERYONE IN THIS FILM I LOVE IT) and this intro played a massive part in getting me to sit down, shut up and finally watch it. ...Also the end credits is damn gorgeous as well DAMN YOU CONTINUITY ANNOUNCER FOR TALKING OVER IT. So....yeah. Thanks for giving praise to this, it certainly deserves it.

[@anthonyscarborough3813]

Dude I’ve been watching all the Ghibli movies this past month, and Castle in the Sky and Princess Mononoke are my favorites too 😆

[@jimtaylor294]

I've known of the Ghibli films since about 1998; though only as a teenager in the 00's did I fully start to appreciate them.

[@iliveameme4930]

Mother's Basement recommending SAO? Truly we are in the worst Timeline

[@777theultra9]

nah he's probably just dead inside.

[@Hanimir]

Hey, if you can't beat them...

[@Arcxcept]

SAO, season 3 Is actually pretty good. It's becoming like Avatar The Last Airbender.

[@BigT.Larrity]

El SAO Congroo?

[@jonahj9519]

Thiery Hoareau That was honestly the worst shill I’ve ever seen on all of KZbin. He literally promoted merch of the thing he has spent a dozen videos tearing down.

[@c0mpu73rguy]

Seriously, this opening always opens the feelsgate when I watch this film.

[@thegmanofEAP]

I got to show this to my significant other, and nothing even happened yet and I was WEEPING. Gorgeous animation and music from an incredible batch of people.

[@TylPhumin]

When you clic so fast, you still have to refresh 10 times until the video is available.

[@DoodleDabble]

I walked down the isle to my husband playing the title theme for this on the piano ❤️❤️

[@emmad.8815]

Oh my goodness that's so awesome

[@jameswat6806]

That's beautiful.

[@attilathenun]

How appropriate. The opening credit song is titled “Carrying You”.

[@kremstoin]

I've NEVER payed this much attention to the opening before holy SHIT

[@Blacklight.2025]

Fun Fact "La Puta" means "The Hooker" in spanish. Thats all, carry on. (Yes, that movie title is quite strange for me)

[@miguelcapetillo7160]

Imagine go and see that movie with your stupid teenage (also spanish speaking) friends. Thanks to god I didn't, but they told me one friend of mine just wouldn't stop laughing out loud everytime they said that while on the theatre.

[@MarkOfTzeentch]

now imagine a Castle with WIDE doors.. and La Puta makes more sense

[@merrittanimation7721]

It's probably because Miyazaki took the name from Gulliver's Travels and not knowing the meaning behind it (and the satire implied for the original floating city) used it in the film.

[@Estarile]

I think that's why the name was changed in Spanish releases. I think Disney's Moana got the same treatment in Italy, because a famous adult actress uses that name over there.

[@megamage911]

Estarile Moana got changed for all European releases actually.

[@samigurt]

This is my favorite video of yours, i really appreciate all the effort you put in every one of your videos, truly inspirational. Thank you

[@AlyAce2012]

Castle in the Sky has to be my favorite Ghibli film, and you just drove home some of the reasons why.

[@xNico1412]

This is what my dad showed me when I was 3 and I never forgot it. Ever.

[@xNico1412]

Also the music is absolutely amazing

[@thymeepis126]

Dude... I was waiting for this. It’s the best Miyazaki film.

[@vin8054]

One of the best films of all time imo

[@oliviamurphy9482]

and SO underrated

[@conducktorwhirlwarstartera5055]

Castle in The Sky is my FAVORITE anime movie of all time.

[@MFBosshunting]

Castle in the Sky is my favorite Ghibli movie. Just wanted to say that.

[@12inthepm]

Watched this in theaters a couple months ago with my closest buds. It was a great memory.

[@jw5931]

The sheer scale and beauty of this opening sent me on an artistic journey that's influenced my entire life, thank you very much for making this

[@reNINTENDO]

This was wonderful. Laputa is my favorite movie, and I've always adored it's beautiful yet strangely haunting opening. You went over it very well, and pointed out some things I didn't quite put together despite watching the movie every year for close to a decade. This video felt like it was made for me.

[@jimtaylor294]

As a Brit', this film is particularly fun to watch; not just because of how Miyasaki created an entire story and [what feels like a vast] mythos from a single location in a book; but the fact that he and several aquaintances toured the UK [not just the welsh counties] to accrue post-industrial inspiration, which was everywhere in the early 1980's. (rather less evident today, decades on) The most obvious details are the abandoned mine & workshop buildings; reminicent of cornish engine houses, and the valley Pazu lives in, which bares some similarity to parts of the welsh & scot's counties... albeit on a larger scale and with a more cratered landscape than any we have XD.

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

I never knew that. Definitely would not think the UK.

[@tamatomlinson]

This is everything I’ve always and have ever wanted to hear about Laputa. Thank you so much for this video. I feel a sense of relief for finding this after years and years of waiting for it even though I didn’t know it. Incredible!!!!!

[@boredUser2]

All of my favorite anime soundtracks are from Studio Ghibli films, Joe Hisaishi is a true musical genius

[@arcticsentry]

04:57 "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." -Leonardo da Vinci

[@asteri8299]

hell yeah hell yeah hell yeah this movie was my introduction to ghibli when i was a child and its so ingrained in my memory it still moves me when i recall scenes from it

[@poisondamage2182]

literally crying everytime i watch this intro

[@serkansenyuz9203]

I love you. I say that with no joke, I loved all your videos and your view on anime, openings, fights, almost anything, has opened my eyes to a new way of watching anything. But nothing could have ever made me happier than seeing this video appear on my dashboard today. This is my Favorite anime of all time, not just between movies and shows but of all time. I cannot stress how unbelievably happy it felt to see the anime I hold in highest regard be talked about by someone I enjoy to watch and love to hear talk. Thank you.

[@jayj8069]

Thank you Mother's Basement for talking about my favorite Studio Ghibli movie!!! Your analysis videos are always great! I love Laputa so much! The music and setting for the movie is so cool!

[@MATTierial]

This is a fantastic video that finely details the intricacies of this film. Please never stop this "What's in an OP" series!

[@lunarstrom8160]

Laputa is actually pronounced la-pyu-ta as according to the katakana (ラーピュータ: ra-pyu-ta). This is an excellent analysis of the OP! I only watched it once which is when I watched the film so I never comprehended the entire meaning of the OP, but seeing how you break it down makes it very clear. The OP is definitely very lovely and even when I didn't understand it, it was so enjoyable to look at.

[@dear_totheheart]

Honestly, this was so charming, insightful, and well done. I hope you'll create more videos like this that are more like an analytical review. I'd genuinely be interested and appreciative if you'd do this for the other Ghibli and animated films out there.

[@almadjurovic8279]

Great work like always

[@RyanGatts]

This is a nice video. Btw, I recognize that this does not especially matter, but it really is pronounced like "lapyuta" (with a Y sound before the U) like they say in the English dub. The Japanese is ラピュタ -- Ra Pyu Ta.

[@MtnNerd]

No it's not, the name comes from Gulliver's Travels. The Japanese pronunciation is the incorrect one.

[@vin8054]

I mean Castle in the Sky beats the ass out of Gullivers Travels so

[@MsZsc]

I only was thrown off by Shita’s voice actor and how she faded in and out with a half-british accent sometimes

[@theonejackal89]

@@MsZsc Honestly, the half-british accent gives a more foreign sound to Sheeta, which I like, since she quite literally isn't from the same place that Pazu was.

[@Emery_Pallas]

Of note is that La puta is the Spanish word for “the bitch/whore”, which is why the name isn’t present in the titles of the rereleases. Might be where Gullivers Travels got the name from idk

[@ashes6459]

One of my favourite movies of all time

[@Lawllin]

Awesome video! I think doing a movie's OP was a really clever idea that you pulled off super well. Castle in the Sky is my favorite Ghibli movie, and actually this video is pretty well timed since Castle in the Sky will be in theaters again next month for Ghiblifest.

[@shugohasegawa1046]

Good to see you back with this series

[@miguelcapetillo7160]

My god a I remember the first time I saw that sequence, breathtaking and hypnotic at the same time. Not that the rest of the movie falls any shorter but you can see how the movie tells an adventure story of a particular time of an specific group of people. The intro manages to tell the story of an entire civilization through millenia and talk about the nature of humanity as a whole...all of that in just a couple of minutes before the movie has even started. Thanks Geoff, you just made me wanna watch this movie again and I left it at my other house.

[@benjisjisben5220]

lol

[@rosegarden9363]

This is my favourite Ghibli Movie. And you uploaded this on my Birthday Too 😁😄 This is amazing!

[@TheMugbearer]

Sorry for barging in with my nitpicking but there's two people at the wind-powered kiln. The other one is sitting on the ground and their face is away from the camera, thus making an impression that it's just another stone. EDIT: That being said, I admire your breakdown of this opening. It's one of my absolute favorites among the Ghibli opening titles, breathtaking and magnificent.

[@YamiNoSensei13]

That is truly some god-level nitpicking :)

[@TheMugbearer]

Only the BEST nitpicking for the BEST professional shitbag on KZbin!

[@SwedeApple]

I listen to this opening almost daily. So damn beautiful! Perfect for when you’re sad or just want to close your eyes and dream of the most beautiful place there is. The perfect song for finding peace and just chill.

[@MrListerTheSisterPhister]

Always my favorite Ghibli movie.

[@Ledabot]

This stuff is why i subbed. Make more whats in an op. (i cried a bit watching this)

[@DayMixer]

Awesome review

[@pandore1602]

Castle in Sky will forever be my favourite ghibli film Thank you for making such a relevant and interesting video !

[@jacoblucas4259]

All it takes is a few bars of the main theme of this movie and I'm all chills, every time. Truly a masterpiece.

[@eclipsesonic]

Laputa is my favourite Ghibli film and it was great to see you unpack the meaning behind its OP. Not only that, but it was great to hear the music from the soundtrack in the background as I absolutely love the main theme to Castle in the Sky. It's probably my favourite piece of music from any Ghibli film.

[@alexisyukioyamato1127]

Man you put a smile in my face

[@mechajay3358]

_This was one of the most relaxing What's in an OP video I've watched so far_

[@panzerschiff9805]

Laputa. I as a Spanish speaker only can laugh at this name.

[@miguelcapetillo7160]

A couple of friends of mine were to the cinema to see that movie...wait, why am I still talking in english? Básicamente fueron a ver la película, yo no estaba porque estaba ocupado. Aparentemente una amiga mía se la paso riendo unos sólidos 5 min cada vez que alguien decía Laputa y su risa hacía eco por toda la sala como una banda marchando por las calles. Gracias a Dios yo no estaba ahí o me hubiese muerto de pena ajena. Ese es el nivel de madurez de la mayoría de mis amigos, por eso son mis amigos :)

[@lordfenrir1394]

Como brasileiro eu entendi a referencia. kkkk

[@MtnNerd]

The meaning was intentional in Gulliver's Travels, the original source of the name.

[@TheSharkry]

Desde la primera vez que vi el nombre no puedo pronunciarlo, antes porque me daba vergüenza pero ahora es porque me río solita ~ 😅

[@victorwretched1072]

why? i mean, here in north america thebitch is an usual name

[@rdx86]

Beautiful! This opening moved me so much that the wind goddess is a part of my tattoo sleeve, representing the eternal winds of change.

[@johnelkoury6808]

OMG thabk you so mucb for doing this! You've gained a sub, do more Ghibli please!

[@Sabin17]

This is exceptionally articulated. Thanks for making it.

[@Sqwivig]

Castle in the Sky is my favorite Ghibli movie. It's just so perfect

[@litlclutch]

Would love to see you do a complete breakdown on the Visions of Escaflowne anime series, touch on the OP and just the all around awesomesauce that it is. Keep up the awesome work.

[@D.A-Designs]

Looking good Jeff! Absolutely love Laputa!

[@ArchOfWinter]

That music makes me cry every time, even without the visual.

[@Whatismusic123]

Creator: *Finally somebody noticed*

[@Erk1234567]

I saw this a few months ago, and this opening alone instantly shot it up to one of my favorite animated films

[@bluejay9307]

Im so glad my family rented this movie from the library when I was like 5 cause its been my favorite movie ever since and what got me into art and anime. Thanks studio ghibli

[@Charely1925]

It warms my heart to see someone make a modern video no my favorite anime movie of all time.

[@xsg81]

The music sent shivers down my spine in a good way.

[@PreciousLena]

Laputa feels to me like an often forgotten ghibli movie, burried under spirited away and other, grander movies. To me though, this has always been my favorite of all those wonderful movies. The theme song makes me tear up in a way like almost no other can. On another note, the castle has always greatly intrigued me and I so often wished to be able to run around it and explore all those little hidden places and gardens

[@victorscott6475]

Ahhh sorry have to wait, watching this for the first time tomorrow 😫🤩

[@webbrowser6454]

My favorite Miyazaki film of all time. So good.

[@catman4859]

Tbh, Studio Ghibli should be included in school curriculums.

[@potatoonastick4006]

w take

[@justindykes9774]

Castle in the Sky was one of the first movies I ever saw and it still has a really special place in my heart. Its so so good

[@seashock6556]

I got chills all throughout this

[@fhannyreyes574]

Hey! I really love your videos! Can you please make a review over Banana Fish? I would really like to see it

[@law244]

Great Video

[@acronyx991]

I have to say that it did have one of the most memorable sound tracks in all anime in my oppinion... This was one of the first ever animes i ever watched and unconsciously hum the tune sometimes.

[@YuiFunami]

Dammit now I have to rewatch this again

[@Ash_Wen-li]

You should cover Monster's OP and maybe for a quick video, the style of OP's the Aria series uses?

[@swordsmithing]

Monster has such a solid opening. I get chills every time Bonaparta's hand reaches out in the dark.

[@NinjaBoy606]

This movie is my childhood. I remember asking my parents to replay it over and over again when I was in preschool ❤️

[@brandonmichaud8047]

This song was so good it made me cry when I watched it the first time in theaters last year.

[@aaronmurphy7396]

Great breakdown

[@harrihaffi2713]

Cool stuff!

[@halplease]

god even just listening to the soundtrack behind your intro has me tearing up ;n;

[@waaaaaaah5135]

One of the earliest anime movies I've ever watched, still one of my all-time favorites today

[@nine_girl.9914]

It’s crazy, everything I watch any studio ghibli movie, I feel like entering a different world wich is full of beauty.

[@MissAlyssa108]

This is my favorite movie and the theme music gives me shivers.

[@pyoheliobros5773]

I love Castle in the sky

[@masterofthelyokianmonsters2886]

Took you damn long enough time to cover this movie! Also first.

[@crazydave318]

Master of the lyokian monsters I’m sorry, I haven’t seen someone comment, “first”, on a video since, oh about 2007 or 8 now. It’s like a walking fossil. If that fossil was 14 or younger.

[@Ody.N7]

They did the same in Nausicaa btw and it was gorgeous too.

[@merrittanimation7721]

I also think it tied into the film better, at least foreshadowing plot points and themes.

[@camilletexidor3730]

Yes with the giant robots on the seven days of fire

[@tooketsuenshi8121]

I love this Movie so much, and this video showed the first reason why it´s so awesome. Thanks

[@TalussAthner]

Wooo, great to see maybe my favorite op of all time covered. I do like the new format and like the idea of covering some ops that are great but maybe don’t have enough stuff to talk about for as long. Would be nice to see talk of stuff that are more interesting from their style and tonal/thematic Implication but have less story stuff happening (stuff like Cowboy Bebop or to stick to 80s movies Wings of Honneamise).

[@krysle3337]

Are you gonna do one for Fighting Gold?

[@Ash_Wen-li]

He's covered every JOJO op so far. Which means he definitely will.

[@BigT.Larrity]

Anyone else not really dig it? I'm more partial to the energetic OPs like Crazy Noisy Bizarre Town or End of the World.

[@krysle3337]

@@BigT.Larrity Nah mate I'm sorry but I freaking love Fightinv Gold. Having read the manga, its the perfect OP for what's to come.

[@ethanbenner6995]

I prefer Traitor’s requiem to be candid

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

Hey, my I suggest an series for you to do a "what's in an OP" video about? I know it's not technically an anime, but would love to see an analysis of the RWBY openings. I have yet to see an adequately thorough analysis on KZbin and you seem to be one of the only people qualified to do it! I know that the openings are rather short but I would not mind a single video about multiple theme songs. I just know those theme songs have a deeper meaning to them and you seem to be the man we need to uncover that meaning!

[@crossthreaded6867]

I really appreciate this, it put words to the many feelings stirred by the film when I first saw it. That idea of living with nature rather than carelessly exploiting it is deeply important now.

[@HeyyItsDaleVODS]

To this day still one of my favourite Ghibli moves.

[@netclb7989]

Thank you so much

[@SergioGonzalez-od7rx]

Good video as always! I was wondering if you were interested in making a video about shows that are spoiled through openings, if that is good bad. And not talking like foreshadowing, but spoilers that are reveals or fundamental in writing and are spoiled in an opening.

[@Katt1721]

This is a lovely video! I hope youtube doesn't completely screw you over since you're using Ghibli clips/music. My Neighbor Totoro was always the Ghibli movie special to me as a little kid (especially because the two sisters' relationship mirrored my own little sister and I) but Lauta has one of the most gorgeous Ghibli opening credits sequences.

[@adversitycartoons4050]

I remember watching this in the theaters at an early age and it was damn magical

[@DarkMage530]

A video under 10 minutes, yes please! More like this

[@barrybend7189]

Can you please do a best of OP for SDF Macross and its sequels.

[@randomuser1579]

Barry Bend if youre gonna do macross might as well do char’s counterattack too

[@barrybend7189]

@@randomuser1579 I've been asking for what's in a fight for Char vs Amuro.

[@randomuser1579]

Barry Bend which one, zeong vs gundam or sazabi vs nu

[@barrybend7189]

@@randomuser1579 Sazabi vs Nu Gundam.

[@Blueskylar1995]

what is the name of that orchestral music playing towards the beginning? I've heard that song but IDK what it's called!

[@TayoEXE]

Absolutely beautiful storytelling, animation, and God level music. Masterpiece.