Thanks for sharing for those interested but I find it hard to care about a mainstream paper's opinions on this kinda stuff anymore myself... plus I like Howl's Moving Castle sure (and film version Howl is just
chef's kiss level prettyful and will always be one of my favourite ikemen bishie boys
), I really appreciate that the protagonist is an old woman as well, buuut it's got some problems narratively IMO (I've read the book as well and probably prefer it). My picks would prob be:
Only Yesterday
Whisper of the Heart
Princess Mononoke
My Neighbour Totoro
Toss up between Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky
Honorable mention to Ronja the Robber's Daughter which I adored and think is rather underappreciated (yes it's a series not a film but Ghibli did co-produce it and honestly for me it's the best thing they've done in the last... 10-15 years?)
(Not trying to be rude btw! Just sharing my opinion but a bit worried I might sound sneering or dismissive which I really don't mean to)