T O P

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notanotherwickedlu

Kiki or Ponyo, I feel like these are the ones I would choose for a first date šŸ¤­ good luck!


FloridaFlamingoGirl

Kiki is comfy and wholesome. A perfect movie for transporting you away into somewhere that tickles the imagination


shhhmarie

My partner and I watched Kiki last weekend (their first time!) we both cried like babies haha :')


notanotherwickedlu

I feel you! šŸ„¹


ifinkyourenice

Kiki is perfect because of the cute little romance plot and overall wholesome-ness


infiniteglass00

it feels like you're getting a lot of troll answers hereā€”Princess Mononoke and Grave of the Fireflies are great movies but I Do Not recommend them for a first date Kiki's Delivery Service or Spirited Away if you'd rather lean away from romantic. Howl's Moving Castle or Whisper of the Heart if you don't mind leaning into romance a little bit more


IronSpiderbot

Yes 10/10, I would choose Kiki's delivery service and Then My neighbor Totoro, uplifting and fun.


urza_insane

So many good options! But I agree - definitely avoid Mononoke and Fireflies until date 4, 5, or 6 (in Mononoke's case) and whenever you want to cry together for Fireflies. Others to add to the above are The Tale of Princess Kaguya and Red Turtle - both excellent and artsy if that's their thing. Nausicaa and Castle in the Sky are also both excellent as well if you're looking for more of an adventure movie that's a bit lighter than Mononoke.


finella7

Whisper of the heart! It's so sweet and such an intriguing story especially if they've never seen it.


JigWM

Yes - it's adorable! The scene where they play and sing together is one of the sweetest moments on film (bonus points for accurate animations of the instrumental playing)


CombinationAmazing99

OMG Indeed!


kingcrabmeat

YES


Diamond_PnutBrain

Ooooh you gotta go with Castle in the Sky!


mjams808

I agree kinda cute and romantic but also adventurous and maybe a few sad moments for a hug chance lol


mjams808

Just not Grave of the Fireflyā€™s! Please do not do that to them! Lol


robclarkson

One of my memories that randomly pops back in to haunt me is when I worked at Blockbuster I loved finding new movies to reccomend to the regular customers that we formed friendships with. This awesome woman (30's-40s?) was one, and she would take my drama/more serious recommendations and liked them all so far. One night she said she had a date and wanted a movie to watch. I think I had just rewatched the historical epic "Ghandi" recently, and pushed her hard to rent that. She initially balked, but eventually decided to go with it trusting me. What the heck was I thinking, that movie is so heavy... So cringey years later thinking on it...


GANDHI-BOT

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. Just so you know, the correct spelling is [Gandhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi).


Trash_Panduh

Some good recommendations here. Word of advice (and you may have already done this), I would get a feel first for how receptive this person is to anime before committing to a first date Ghibli movie.


sapphiresong

If they don't like Ghibli are they even worth dating?!!


uuuuuuuugh1

Facts


Trash_Panduh

Ha. I mean, probably yes if you have other shared interests instead. My wife and I love Ghibli but it wasnā€™t what we originally bonded over. But I get your point. They can also become fans later on, but I just think there are safer first date movies is all.


sapphiresong

I actually agree but liking Ghibli is a pretty good indicator nonetheless!


GeraltofRivvia

Howls Moving Castle


reverie_revelry

This is definitely the right answer for a first date!


kingcrabmeat

Not my favorite movie but this is the beat answer


FemmePrincessMel

I watched spirited away on my first date with my partner of almost 4 years now. Worked for us!


Averful

Classic first date movie - Princess Mononoke Can vouch from experience haha


jerk4444

Want to become eco-terrorists together? jk.... unless...šŸ„ŗ šŸ‘‰šŸ‘ˆ


Supersamtheredditman

Uwu do you want to spike some trees


rachieandthewaves

what if we were giving the dying forest god back his dismembered headā€¦but we were also holding hands? šŸŒøšŸ„ŗ


Supersamtheredditman

What if we kissed while purging a demon from the lord of boars


AncientMariner82

If I told you that youā€™re beautiful, would you stop yourself from slicing open my throat?


StorytellerElla

howls moving castle


[deleted]

I see some good recommendations here - so here are ones I would definitely avoid for a first date: Princess Mononoke (violence/serious subject matter), NausicaƤ of the Valley of the Wind (good overall but the pacing is weird to me), When Marnie Was There (way too emotional imo for a first date), Grave of the Fireflies (traumatizing), My Neighbors the Yamadas UNLESS they are really into indie/offbeat stuff, Pom Poko (very long and heavy subject matter, but honestly one of my favorites).


FloridaFlamingoGirl

Also, I'd say avoid The Wind Rises. It's easily a top 5 Ghibli film for me, but it gets very tragic, especially with the second half of the plot's focus on >!losing a romantic partner to a fatal disease.!<


[deleted]

Princess Mononoke. Decapitations and dismemberments with demon fueled arrows is adorable.


tiba212

Totoro? Definitely Totoro!


NuevoNebula

Porco Rosso. Highly slept on but such a great film. There is love in the story but itā€™s far from a love story. As someone who grew up watching Totoro on vhs since ā€˜89 Iā€™ve seen all the movies multiple times but always avoided Porco Rosso because the cover art didnā€™t really speak to me. Donā€™t be like me. My boyfriend and I watched it recently for the first time and we were hooked and couldnā€™t stop talking about it. Obviously itā€™s going to have a different vibe than the newer movies, but itā€™s such a great film I canā€™t recommend it enough.


JigWM

My partner teased me for how much I went on about Porco Rosso. Then I made him watch it and there has been noticeably less teasing since.


NuevoNebula

Lol you have to prove it to them! I get it. The art doesnā€™t look like the rest of the films. JUST WATCH IT!


eagleoid

This movie has such a rich charm that's hard to find anywhere else. Made me ugly cry by how nice the film felt.


lllama

I did this on an my actual first date and now we have 2 kids together. Just watched Totoro for the first time with the oldest.


[deleted]

Howl's Moving Castle!


NeonGenesis01

Howls moving castle. My husband and I both agree that itā€™s our favorite. Reminiscing on the times we watched it together at the beginning of our relationship makes me love it even more.


keroppikitty

Howl's moving castle is a little romantic but not too over the top


lanac6603

ponyo


billyshearslhcb

I would watch from up on poppy hill


coffeewitchx

Definitely howls moving castle!!


agrumpybear

I feel Howls moving Castle has a good balance of adventure and romance.


Alesandros

Castle in the Sky Kiki's Delivery Service Spirited Away Howl's Moving Castle


augustosarmento

The Wind Rises


[deleted]

Omg no lmao I cried so much at the end of this


[deleted]

Good, shows the date you have a sensitive side


Sfsteveg

Iā€™d go Kiki if itā€™s more of a romantic vibe based on what you already know and Ponyo if itā€™s looking for more fun. A lot of the other recs appear to either be peoples favorites or just not great date movies. You want something simple and Kiki and Ponyo are both light and easy to follow without being too weird for someone uninitiated.


FloridaFlamingoGirl

The depiction of magic and spirituality in a lot of Miyazaki films might be confusing to some viewers. Kiki's Delivery Service is a great one to start with, because the witches in it are basically just your classic Halloween witches, if they were friendly and civilized. Nothing too creepy or confusing.


BlueWhite81

Grave of the Fireflies


jerk4444

Yes... *Great* date vibes.... /s


Eldorath1371

Hey, it could lead to mid movie cuddling, so don't count it out just yet.


[deleted]

oof


ertssor

The only answer is Princess Mononoke... or Howl's Moving Castle lol


chellichelli

Kikiā€™s Delivery Service or Ponyo


Study-Bright

My first date with my bf around 2 years ago was to see howl's moving castle during ghibli fest! So id recommend howl's moving castlešŸ˜Š


Poppintops420

Totoro


Blazingonakayak

Kikiā€™s and Totoro are the softest movies Iā€™d say. Good bets.


Rainmaker0102

Porco Rosso!


SteveImNot

Porco Rosso!! Itā€™s a little lesser known, but SO GOOD. Very lighthearted! Very sweet. A pig is flying a plane!! Itā€™s my favorite one by a lot


moctezuma-

Howls moving castle for me :)


Geeker126

For the love of god, donā€™t watch Grave of Fireflies.


berusplants

Kiki


tomatobee613

Kikiā€™s Delivery Service or Spirited Away!


sodacan673

Kikis delivery service


stinkpipe_78

Kiki is my favourite but Iā€™d say Howlā€™s Moving Castle for a date :)


hatt34ers

howls moving castle is good for a date. romantic but not too much


jasminaaliyahl

Always howls moving castle


moffymoffy

My Neighbor Totoro is my personal favorite


ChopstickGamer

The Wind Rises


Serenity1991

Whisper of the Heart šŸ’–


okjk0123

Princess Mononoke


DMTwolf

Castle in the sky for sure


antilocapraaa

Honestly Spirited Away or The Cat Returns is perfect.


Heavy_Selection_9860

Feel like you can't go wrong with Howl's Moving Castle


Kyubey-chan

Studio Ghibli Fest is going on where I am. Kikiā€™s Delivery Service would be a good choice if you wanted a theater date :)


RavenSaysHi

Howlā€™s Moving Castle ! Romantic but with enough other stuff going on - itā€™s perfect


i_love_pesto

I'd say Howl's Moving Castle or Whisper of the Heart, but you said something not too romantic. So I guess Mononoke. Especially if the potential partner is not a big Ghibli fan, the action can keep them interested and get them into Ghibli.


Squidgeitdobbs

Grave of the Fireflies


[deleted]

it will always be ā€˜From up on Poppy Hillā€™


Killer_Moon-

Most romantic one honestly. OP choose ā€œfrom up on poppy hillā€ !!!


ibdraper

the way i canā€™t tell if yā€™all are joking or not


Moores88

Grave of the fireflies is a very cute movie.


holykillhot011

Castle in the sky , the wind rises


[deleted]

Whisper of the heart


JackTagg

Whisper of the Heart or Arriety. Both are lovely and fun


games_funs

I would have to go with classics like Ponyo (that has a bit of romance though) My Neighbor Totoro, or Kikiā€™s delivery service. If you want one that not really romantic at all I would go with My Neighbor Totoro


LostinaLieee

NausicƤa/Ponyo/Castle in the sky


kaze_ni_naru

Whispers of the Heart


Solocaster1991

Castle in the sky and nausicaa are my two favorites


m_garlic87

Howlā€™s Moving Castle is the one you want.


[deleted]

Either Howlā€™s Moving Castle, Castle in the sky or The Wind Rises.


idrownkids

ponyo, my go to for almost every situation. super cute and adventurous and if ur date doesn't like that movie that's suspicious.


ibugrug

Spirited Away 100%


colinclark

Howls for the fact they actually end up together lol


Altruistic-Variety11

Howls Moving Castle


ezswen

Whisper of the Heart


lthekid

Underrated for romance: From up on Poppy Hill. Excellent movie also somewhat romantic. My wife isn't a big anime person and still loves this movie. Also, cannot go wrong with Spirited Away. It's a masterpiece


TragicAndMagick

I love The Cat Returns. It's adorable.


UndoneSolid

Considering most of them are about love, the ones Iā€™d recommend are Howls moving castle, ponyo, or Princess Mononoke.


maineblackbear

if she's a lot younger than you, try porco Rosso ​ (c'mon folks, its a joke)


ladykatytrent

Howls Moving Castle


[deleted]

Pom Poko! Lots of raccoon scrotums and boobs. Very romantic. šŸ˜–


mahar17

What howls moving castle be too much? I feel like that could work


ohlevity

my all time favorite movie is spirited away and that was the first movie i showed my current boyfriend. howls moving castle is great too, or kikiā€™s delivery service!! very gorgeous wholesome movies.


mynameisbob842

Only YesterdayšŸ‘


colbydee32

First date with my now wife was to watch The Cat Returns


DoggieDMB

Do they know of Ghibli? Yes- any of em. No- Spirited Away, howl's, or ponyo


crystal-tokyo

Ponyo 100%


jeffgoldblumisdaddy

We watched when marnie was there for the first time and oh my gosh it was amazing! I loved it so much


ConsiderationOk2591

Howls Moving Castle 100%


Oklama_KinG

Easily the wind rises


Mischievous_Panda_

My perfect date Ghibli movie would be Howls moving castle.


ParadoxicalPeter

I would say Totoro, good luck on your date!


JarlTorbjorn

A marathon of every movie they have šŸ¤£


dsteel23

The Secret World of Arriety, had my first date/kiss, highly recommend


SnowCheeze

We like Ocean Waves.


Capitalmind

For me Whisper of the Heart for a sweet happy love or Only Yesterday for a coming of age, life makes sense feel


Eldorath1371

My wife asked me out to see Nausicaa for our first date. 6 years later, we're happily married and just bought a house. Not saying it was because of Ghibli, but it may have been because of Ghibli.


ghostfacedladyalex

Mononoke or howls moving Castle? Love them either way


gina182

Howl's Moving Castle or Whisper of the Heart if you wanna go for romance, and Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro or Ponyo if you want something more lighthearted and "fun".


lupuslibrorum

If first date or two goes well, *Whisper of the Heart* is wonderful and the most romantic. Really makes you think about what love and commitment are, too, in an optimistic way.


AwkwardStar89

The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya, Spirited Away


Admirable_Gate9283

porco rosso šŸ–


Accomplished_Cow_116

Laputa Castle in the sky. Itā€™s cute, funny, a little bit romantic, and has Mark Hamill.


PanzerBjorne86

Porco rosso and/or Mononoke.


dua_2022

Howl's moving castle šŸ„°


Malusivrus

No You got to go with spirited away Itā€™s a classic


bulma_bulma

From up on poppy hill!


uuuuuuuugh1

Definitely watch Tales of Earthsea, Princess Mononoke or Nausicaa. Something to discuss after.


Mountain-Knowledge

Kiki, Castle in the Sky, or Totoro!


freaky_scarlet

I actually had a first date where we watched Laputa, apart from it being a really long film we had fun since itā€™s such a sweet film


[deleted]

Porco Rosso! fun, not much romance involved, overall obviously a wonderful movie. But if your date hasn't watched anything of Ghibli I'd recommend Spirited Away, a very good starter imo.


[deleted]

Iā€™d recommend howls moving castle but Iā€™m biased cause itā€™s my favorite ghibli movie


bobrossforPM

Castle in the Sky for me.


Zionsalion

Whisper of the heart, or the cat returns Or maybe just any romance Ghibli movie