Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo - Why We Must Protect the Natural World

Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo is a love letter to the environment and a call to action for all of us to start taking responsibility for the natural world. The film from Hayao Miyazaki involves a water-dwelling creature falling in love with a human, and the two figuring out how to maintain that relationship, either on land or in the sea.
Ponyo focuses on a more innocent and deeper love between children, and the love between them is representative of Sosuke’s respectful devotion to the environment.
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[@kimberlyterasaki4843]

I just realized a lot of Ghibli relationships have this undercurrent of environmentalism: San and Ashitaka, Ponyo and Souske, Chihiro and Haku, they're all between one person who grows to love and respect nature and another person who embodies nature.

[@bas_ee]

Most of his movies are. Pom poko. Princes Mononoke. Nausicaa valley of the wind. Porco rosso. And probably more

[@UnboxingAlyss]

Miyazaki is a big environmentalist, feminist, and pacifist. You can see a lot of this in many of his movies.

[@onemillionpercent]

exactly omg. san and ashitaka is a huge one

[@sketchtheparadigmyork1217]

Which is a common sense bare minimum kind of thing. Taking care of the environment SHOULD NOT be admirable.

[@bestwitch2931]

Miyazaki believes that because we apart of nature separating ourselves from it cuts us off from some very important aspects of what makes us human. He considers environmentalism a fight for the soul of humanity as much as about nature itself. I wrote a paper about his environmentalism and what influenced his beliefs that’s why I know ❤. He thinks that nature doesn’t actually need to be protected but that we need to protect it if we want to A survive and B be whole and healthy spiritual beings. Fighting nature as he sees it is like sawing off our own limb and expecting peace and tranquility.

[@Frosting1000]

I love how so many miyazaki movies are about falling in love with nature, as in ponyo is about loving the ocean, chihiro falls in love with a river spirit, ashitaka in princess mononoke falls in love with a girl raised by wolves!! It’s about humans loving the representatives of the forest or the water!

[@SlapstickGenius23]

Well, the things who raised San are Wolf deities instead of actual wolves.

[@Frosting1000]

@@SlapstickGenius23 thank you 😊 my point still stands

[@erincarr9411]

Honestly I think we should give kids more autonomy, responsibility, and trust at a younger age. Japan definitely does this more than the USA. Let them be the little people they are.

[@MADMadisson]

After having worked with Children in Japan, I can agree 100%. Children are a lot more capable than adults give them credit for.

[@Mogwai-fy7ut]

I’m glad that you brought up responsibility because with great freedom comes great responsibility.

[@elizrebezilmadommdo1662]

I agree. It's condescending the way that a lot of adults don't trust children to do anything on their own. This is why a lot of adults have low self esteem and very little self confidence.

[@bestwitch2931]

I wish more people understood the mind of a child and how delicate but also capable it is. People on the East have rightfully been afraid of conforming their children to society at the risk of impeding upon their natural growth that is not something that has ever been acknowledged in western society. Really children should be left alone until 12 when their brain in a way developed out of a stage of malleability. Hindus know this it’s why they never taught their kids until that age because they feared breaking them or taking away from natural growth or assimilating them to early. They become fully prepared to take on society and better able to think for themselves this way in all honesty.

[@justanothermortal1373]

​@@elizrebezilmadommdo1662yeah, this is exactly why i, as a 18 year old, have such low self esteem too. my parents have sheltered me all my life and now i am genuinely terrified to start living on my own. if i have kids, i will teach them to be independent and responsible for themselves.

[@jocelynfisher3174]

I love Misuzaki's idea about how girls can just be around boys and there does NOT have to be this big deal romantic relationship:)

[@tommyl.dayandtherunaways820]

They are most definitely in love though. I know because I was in love when I was 5 , and I acted exactly like Sosuke when I was around her

[@user-pr4gj4rt3x]

I love when you talk about Ghibli movies, can’t wait to see your take on Howl’s Moving Castle 🏰 ✨

[@Thezairerouge]

Yes please do Howl’s moving castle!!

[@rattales58]

Yes. I can see it be about self love and beauty with Sophie.

[@user-pr4gj4rt3x]

@@rattales58 exactly! An analysis on Sophie’s curse would be very interesting!

[@gabrielalima8191]

It's my favorite of all!!!! I love the books and Ghibli's film ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@tuckernutter]

I'm actually not too sure they can scavenged a whole message from that one

[@evan007rose]

one thing I love about ghibli movies is they way they write kids--not as helpless or just there to be cute objects our adult mc must protect (often seen in movies centering adults), but also not an adult brain in a kid body, totally capable of taking on monsters and adventure with no help or fear (often seen in stories about children). they really take the age of the kid into account and think developmentally about what they could understand and handle.

[@AveryTalksAboutStuff]

I feel like this is an underrated studio ghibli film 💛

[@trinaq]

Precisely, it's an underrated gem which deserves to be talked about more often! 💎😍

[@X-Warrior.1119]

Yes it does?!

[@jackburkhardt7]

Agreed.

[@LunaticTrumpet]

This was my first Ghibli film. It holds a special place in my heart.

[@pennysanchez7656]

Agreed

[@juliechen8710]

Yay! I’m happy whenever Ponyo is mentioned. I feel that it’s quite underrated among Ghibli movies while it holds so much wisdom. I cry every time because of how mesmerizing the scenes are, especially scenes about the pure beauty and life force of the sea

[@wendymccoy1093]

"I am too! I have a job!" was always my favorite line in the movie. it's just so cute.

[@Enterprisingengine93]

Very well-written analysis, and well-edited too! It really complimented all of themes and ideas.

[@Spineless-Lobster]

I loved watching Ponyo as a kid, I’m really glad you covered this movie!

[@AlanBrighto]

I love that you mentioned Eros, Philia and Agape. I just have read about it in a book of Paulo Coelho and found it so interesting and now you're talking about it. Amazing!

[@NiamhCreates]

Always here for a Ghibli movie breakdown!

[@francescafrancesca3554]

Your take in this made me cry. This is not the first time (I surprised myself tearing up in the Cinderella one too), and as a "young" person myself, this means a lot. Thank you, so so much!

[@witchplease9695]

I’d love to see a take on Howl’s Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke!

[@erin7821]

This is one of my kids favorite movies! Love when you guys cover Studio Ghibli movies ❤

[@MS-ik7ht]

More videos about environmentalism as a theme pls!! ❤️ Culture can help greatly to shift the mentality around the theme and inspire action to this urgent matter.

[@thedangerousivy]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's such a beautiful artistic movie that I don't even know how to describe. It's so comforting 💖

[@jayberdie]

I love the friendship narrative discussed here!

[@slightlyembittered]

This was really good. I particularly like how you mentioned love doesn't have to be purely romantic.

[@Logitah]

Kids aren't stupid and Miyazaki wants the viewers to understand that.

[@toys_the_memer]

one thing i love about this movie (and my neighbor totoro) is that how they perfectly portray the reactions, behaivor and voices of the kids in them instead of just being a steriotype of what a kid is and its something i see very little movies perfect what ilove to see in movies is just well.. kids being funny but innocent kids

[@LeoSkyro]

Tiny correction: Ponyo's mom is not the Goddess of Mercy. That's what a sailor calls her in the dub, with the original JPN using Kannon-sama, with Kannon being a specific type of semi-deity in buddhism. In anime specifically, it's often used as a verbal trope for when normal people encounter an otherwordly being, usually female and are bewildered by it, not knowing what it is, and fall back on Kannon, which is what they're familiar with. Another example of it being used was in HxH, although in that case the Hatsu of a certain character literally was the representation of a Bodhisattva, or Kannon.

[@tomatosoup1304]

This movie is so comforting, I love this Take!

[@fcv4616]

Thank you for making a video about environmentalism! I think this movie handles the topic very well: it ignites a sense of wonder for the ocean while delivering the urgent message in a more optimistic way. Like many of other Ghibli films, the characters feel innocent and pure, yet believable. And I love that the film took inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen's "Little mermaid" but translated the love story into a platonic friendship.

[@orionsmithey3009]

This was the very first studio Ghibli film I ever watched and it's my favorite.

[@josiebass4838]

i really love how this channel takes films and the majic they present and find a way to link that to everyday life and improving as person. Thanks so very much the take!

[@wvu05]

If you're doing Miyazaki movies, can you do _Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind_ ? No less a figure than Roger Ebert named it as the greatest animated movie ever.

[@rapster2596]

Love The Take’s video essays on Studio Ghibli creations. It’s relaxing and informative.

[@millsgurl8358]

Just gain more respect and love for this movie

[@grace19917]

How about a Take on When Marnie was There

[@gabriellahanna5594]

Outstanding and inspiring analysis! More people need to hear about this! people should be peace with the environment and take care of them.

[@DustyStarrs]

How inspiring and empowering are Studio Ghibli films!

[@isolatedirectorofficial]

Ponyo is my favorite Ghibli movie. There’s just something so homey about it.

[@patricksamuel5478]

Such a pure movie!!

[@CassidyBooks]

This video was so good! I love it!😄💖

[@mateogaleano8706]

not yall calling greta thunberg greta tunberry lmaooo

[@roxie6884]

cannot wait to hear your take on howls moving castle

[@ili257]

I love this video !!! Thank you !!!

[@nicolasramos2170]

I love this movie!! Thanks for this video guys!!

[@All-Hail-Gayle]

I think every person makes a difference in the world, but corporations have to be the ones to make a difference.

[@blazehaze233]

love this analysis so much

[@MaureenMurphy_]

I love Ponyo as a kid! 🥺

[@islasullivan3463]

Love this movie.

[@migaish_]

I need to watch Ponyo again it's been too long 🥺 I love this analysis

[@lilacrose5266]

this was such a good episode!!!!

[@kailengray2822]

These are my comfort videos talking about Ghibli movies!

[@CamSiv996]

I think the problem with Humanity polluting the environment is that we're rather more materialistic/possessive of things than to live with wonders of nature. It's brighter view of a future utopia, I suppose. Expecting dependency of our creations along with the issues we've ignored.

[@swedealien4597]

Beautiful take on a beautiful film

[@wandeesthoughts]

I love this movie so much🥺💗 definitely top 5 in my studio ghibli list

[@jessicavictoriacarrillo7254]

I saw your poll in email, excited. This was a cute movie. 😍 Trying to do my part, alas as a Millennial I am under employed and dealing with clueless older people.

[@vacafuega]

Everything you do has meaning. Even if it's "just" signing a petition or writing an email.speaking of which, please consider signing the ecocide petition - it stands to make a huge difference.

[@abhishekjiwankar1]

There is a dialogue by Lisa. When Sosuke tells her that Ponyo used to be a fish, Lisa's response is pure gem. "Life is mysterious and amazing, but we have work to do now..."

[@mandeep3.14]

Learnt so much 👌🏼 and now I like this movie even more 😄

[@karennagai9823]

I love it!!

[@chteretreeart]

Oh yeah my favorite Ghibli movie

[@robchuk4136]

The Power Is Yours

[@aliceeve6421]

I'm a simple girl, I see a Ghibli film. I click

[@nello9077]

My comfort movie🐳🌊

[@annasahlstrom6109]

Ponyo is so sweet!

[@cookiecaroline1355]

Ponyo is so cute!

[@bigfootnintendorazr]

Most Ghibli films are centered around the environment to some extent

[@somethingspecial7057]

I completely grew up on this film ❤

[@maytalacedo2942]

This movie is my favorite and well I do like the original and Disney's take on it. Ponyo has the best love story while being inoccent and fun.

[@d11j09l92]

Seems to me Princess Mononoke would also work in this video given the naturist message.

[@absolutelynotellen]

Ponyo, ponyo, sakana no ko

[@hejarmikami5828]

I love Ponyo🥰💖💖💖

[@sammeettelang6267]

Do a take on HBO's The White Lotus, please.

[@inescastellano7960]

Please make a video about My Neighbour Totoro, it's so beautiful.

[@lilacrose5266]

They do have a video about Totoro! It's called "Why we need Totoro"

[@spooki3382]

Fujimoto looks like a Disney villain a bit ngl

[@laurentbat6453]

i really just match this movie for the first time the davy before this vidéo was realised

[@kimberlyterasaki4843]

I disagree that Ariel was submissive toward Eric; he hands her the reins to his carriage and her first instinct is to jump a ravine, scaring the wits out of Eric.

[@NobodyC13]

Plus the rescue ratio was 2 to 1. Ariel saved Eric's butt twice (first at the storm, the second when she messed with Ursula's aiming with the trident).

[@junjunjamore7735]

Yeah, I don't understand why people like the original H.C Andersen better when they say the Disney version teaches girls to change themselves and don't speak to get a man (it doesn't, the original does if anything).

[@Mogwai-fy7ut]

@@NobodyC13 Actually the ratio was 2:2. Ariel saves Eric from drowning and from getting annihilated by Ursula’s trident. Eric saves Ariel from getting annihilated by Ursula’s trident (first by throwing a harpoon at Ursula, and then again by impaling Ursula with the bow of the sunken ship).

[@NobodyC13]

@@Mogwai-fy7ut But we're both in agreement that The Take's argument regarding Ariel and Eric's relationship is a strawman one or done in bad faith?

[@Mogwai-fy7ut]

@@NobodyC13 Not really!

[@alphariusomegon3965]

I liked ponyo

[@handlewastakensorry]

I just realized studio ghibli is Japanese Disney

[@dcraexon]

All these greedy corporations need to do is inspire people by giving them a nickel or dime for cans and bottles like they used to all this Styrofoam packaging that takes up more room than the item being purchased Could be returned to places like Walmart or some kind of recycling center so it doesn’t overfill our landfills stop blaming it on the people we don’t make plastic straws

[@NMayer-bi9tu]

This is what they kind of do here in Germany. You pay 0,25€ for cans extra (the price varies per bottle type) and you get it back when you return it. Then they have to recycle at least a part of it. It's definitely far from perfect but it's a start!

[@fortune_roses]

:::: *E Y E* opening ::::

[@ericksurfubatuba4530]

🌍.....❤

[@UnboxingAlyss]

I'm a huge Ghbli fan, but this wasn't one of my favorites. This probably due to it being aimed at younger children and I was an adult when I saw it. This take makes me want to revisit the movie, though. While Miyazaki himself stated it was written for his 4 year old granddaughter, he always has plenty of messages and themes aimed at all audiences.

[@aenarioncourts9516]

Princess mononoake literally just makes me realize that maybe thanos is right.

[@spacegunspaghetti154]

ngl i love this movie, but i always hate the common motif when talking about the younger generation and climate change, the older generations tend to push on their responsibilities of the environment saying " its ok , the children are leading the fight in climate change " when most of us arent even able to vote. and tbh i think its strange how a 16 year old girl had to rally the people into fighting climate change while all the old men thought she was doing great (which she was) and sat back and watched, as if they dont make the rules and regulations. anyways love ponyo

[@onemillionpercent]

v v true ponyo tho

[@euipaik1102]

Here’s is my short, and shallow understanding: We all live for ourselves, as every man is for himself. But OUR generation make our living and enjoy life at the cost of our FUTURE generations. One example is destroying our environment for the sake of making money. And what they will be left with, I guess we’ll find out eventually. I feel grateful to be living in the same time with the great Hayao Miyazaki.

[@vishakhatyagi]

Ponyo's dad is gnc af

[@pastorTracy911]

GNC?

[@beethovensfidelio]

@@pastorTracy911 GNC stands for gender non conforming.

[@augustosolari7721]

Why use the English version instead of the original Japanese one?

[@LittleHobbit13]

Probably to make it more widely accessible to their channel audience and also because the film's language doesn't factor into their take.

[@augustosolari7721]

Probably yes. But one would hope that in that case the source of the translation is available. There are nuances in the language that are Lost when translated.

[@IJUSTNEEDASTUPIDUSERNAME]

@@augustosolari7721 sure, but the person making the video probably only speaks English so the nuances would be lost on them?

[@drinks_menu]

greta thun...berry?

[@boniboni4912]

Are you ever going to talk about the amber heard scandal? 😩

[@romanmay2867]

yes eros is overused but i mean… they’re also five so like… i would hope it wouldn’t be used in it??

[@bruceoutwater]

Ok grandma

[@liabe18]

Greta ThunBERG Not thunberry haha other than that very interesting

[@jobaq007]

Perceptive to nature? She is running away from a Tsunami

[@ILFPAC]

Did you say Greta Turnberry or something like that? Isn't it Thunberg?

[@mitraavesta7548]

Miyazaki made film about women and inviorment What hollywood made ????

[@ErickSoares3]

A mass terrorist killing people for a dog.

[@dcraexon]

Donuts why hernia kitten dog ain’t no logistical‘s in datum

[@mitraavesta7548]

@@ErickSoares3 john wick ?? Right ?

[@garypotter5569]

This review became so politicized that I began losing brain cells.

[@NotHPotter]

Greta who?

[@chickadeestevenson5440]

My parents generation fucked things over The generation coming up now is fighting. I'm... a caught in the middle millennial, living in shattered dreams.

[@Leesoldier12]

Yeah, Japan has a great love relationship with nature. And yet, they still face volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and hurricanes. So....what's up with that?

[@IJUSTNEEDASTUPIDUSERNAME]

It’s because those things aren’t inherently bad. A volcano is just a volcano, morally neutral. It’s effect on humans and the enviro may be bad, however. All these things are part of the natural world, putting aside the more extreme aspects brought on by climate change

[@isobelle2357]

I'm sorry Greta what??

[@jakewayne4245]

tv Series Amc Breaking bad 2009 _ 2010 do not have Fictional KZbin. Because KZbin 2009 3 year's? in 2010 4 year's? so were Fictional KZbin. hey Vince Gilligan. say were is Fictional KZbin?

[@fcv4616]

The only thing I don't agree with is that Ariel was submissive to Eric in Disney's "Little mermaid". Ariel is proactive, and when she's touring the kingdom with Eric, we see she's vivacious and drags Eric around to explore the human world. We don't get the sense that Eric is dominating her, she's just adapting to the human world, which she had always wanted to belong to in the first place.

[@NobodyC13]

And what's better than the joy of exploring something new? Having someone to share the experience with.

[@whybetrayerispoison5413]

Who is Greta toonberry?

[@Yulivee01]

So, we are just ignoring the Greta Thunberry? 🤨

[@alejandroescalante6338]

Great video but the comparison with Ariel was disappointing, and being quite frank the whole misinterpretation of the Little Mermaid, both Andersen's and Disney's reflects a common weakness on this channel in the search of being "woke"

[@Mogwai-fy7ut]

What?