Whether or not you’re a fan of animated movies, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Studio Ghibli and Pixar — two of the most popular animation studios since Disney’s golden age. Over the years, people have come to expect high-quality animated films from both studios, which are equally adept at intriguing viewers’ imaginations and tugging at their heartstrings.
Whereas Pixar has mastered the art of 3D animation and has refined its films increasingly as technology progressed, Studio Ghibli has remained loyal to a more traditional art form and animation style.
A Brief History: Let’s Start with Disney
A discussion about animation would be remiss without looking at its roots in Disney, arguably one of history’s most popular animation studios. Disney has popularized a lot of iconic characters and films the world over — turning obscure book characters into household names and releasing soundtrack albums that would stand the test of time.
Disney pioneered the feature-length animated film format in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, based on the less child-friendly original fairytale written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Thanks to Walt Disney’s passion for storytelling and innovation, Disney Studios continued to explore the world of animation — exploring new technologies and art forms along the way.
Disney has paved the way for other animation studios to tell equally enchanting stories in different styles, each with its unique flair.
The Pixar Touch
Think of Pixar, and you’ll likely think of the animation studio’s iconic “Pixar lamp” that appears before the opening credits of each animated film. Founded in 1986 by Steve Jobs, Ed Catmull, and John Lasseter, Pixar Animation Studios has made a name for itself in the industry.
Pixar revolutionized the way stories were told by always pushing the envelope in graphics technology. (Could we have expected less from Apple’s founder?) Pixar released groundbreaking animated movies like Toy Story, Up, and Finding Nemo — casting a wider net than Disney’s films, which almost always focused on princesses and fairytales.
Pixar’s way of storytelling is also both heartwarming and incredibly intelligent — while remaining child-friendly and fun. While the studio kept much of its storytelling traditional, there was nothing traditional about how it did things!
One of the reasons Pixar remains innovative is its creative process and culture of collaboration, meaning that employees were encouraged to openly share their ideas and work together to contribute to the creation of Pixar films.
The result?
Films that are relatable, well-made, and very memorable!
Studio Ghibli and its Signature Whimsy
There’s something about Studio Ghibli films that speaks to the heart. Founded by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli focuses on hand-drawn animation and has captured the hearts of fans all over the world with favorites like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke.
Unlike Pixar, Ghibli’s magic doesn’t come from tech-powered animation. Instead, its appeal lies in its signature whimsy, cerebral storytelling, and deeply emotionally resonant themes. Its founders have always focused on animation as an art and have since maintained “quality over quantity” in its releases, allowing animators to provide extreme attention to detail.
The resulting films look like visual masterpieces, with each frame bursting with color and a signature “Ghibli look” that fans have come to equate with light, relaxing tones juxtaposed with dark and vibrant hues — as well as incredible worldbuilding.
Other Notable Studios
While we’re focused on Ghibli and Pixar, other notable studios are also worth discussing. Not to be discounted is DreamWorks Animation, the animation arm of the popular production studio. Founded by Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation is responsible for animated greats like Madagascar, Shrek, and Kung Fu Panda. DreamWorks Animation succeeds in creating lovable characters with a trademark sense of humor (think of Shrek and Donkey!), engaging storylines, and top-notch animation.
Another studio worth mentioning is Laika, a relatively newer studio that focuses on stop-motion animation. Founded by Phil Knight in 2005, Laika is responsible for films like Coraline, Paranorman, and Kubo and the Two Strings.
Unafraid to touch on the darker themes of life, Laika’s unique storytelling approach and animation style have earned critical acclaim and the admiration of a dedicated fanbase. Its films are visually interesting, rich, and emotionally engaging, and combine new and old animation techniques to masterfully weave stories that rock the boat.
Final Thoughts
What Pixar, Disney, Studio Ghibli, DreamWorks Animation, and Laika have in common is their commitment to creating visually enticing animated films. However, each studio has unique ways of creating animations, telling stories, and leveraging technologies.
While others stay the more traditional route, like Laika and Studio Ghibli, some focus on exploring new technologies and constantly innovating to create fresher, newer animated films each time.
The takeaway for artists and producers looking to put their foot in the door of the animation industry? Find your style. Find your niche, and focus on crafting your signature way of telling stories. Who knows? You might very well be the next Miyazaki!
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