Tangle x Cast 4: Ghibli and Gratefulness

The warmth, gentleness, and sincerity of Studio Ghibli films seem to fit right into the theme of gratitude for the week as we enter the Thanksgiving holiday. Tyler, Mike, and Paris chat about thankfulness in today’s episode as they look toward three Studio Ghibli classics!

We’d also love to hear your feedback! What’s your favorite Studio Ghibli film and what themes of gratitude do you see in Ghilbi movies?

We also have a second question! Near the end of today’s episode, Mike mentions that our trio is like Team Guy from Naruto, but we need your help: What Naruto or other anime team would you nickname our trio after, and why?

Let us know in the comments below!

0:00 Introduction and thankfulness
3:05 Ghibli and Gratefulness
10:38 Discussion—My Neighbor Totoro
16:26 Discussion—The Cat Returns
22:28 Discussion—Howl’s Moving Castle
29:16 Personal thoughts on gratitude in difficult times
34:52 What Naruto team are we?
37:09 Closing

Podcast Links:

  • That’s Jasmine Rodgers, the lead singer of Boa and writer of “Duvet,” the opening theme of Serial Experiments Lain, in the opening bite. We interviewed her during the 20th anniversary year of that ground-breaking anime.
  • Here are the Bible verses and passages that the team read and referenced today: 1 Timothy 4:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
  • Have any of you watched the live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service? Apparently it’s not too bad.
  • Paris referenced her trypophobia in the episode—if you have it, it’ll definitely flare up during Princess Mononoke.
  • We’ve delved into My Neighbor Totoro before, with articles including one about childlike delight.
  • The quote by Sophie in Howl’s Movie Castle that struck Paris is, “They say that the best blaze burns brightest, when circumstances are at their worst.”
  • We ranked every Studio Ghibli movie a few years ago—the list still stands (minus Earwig and the Witch, which I can tell you would rank at #23, right at the bottom).
  • Check out and the clothing from Prayer Warrior Apparel, which is also on Instagram!
  • Check out this fun blooper reel that Koboc put together from this episode!
  • Check out all the other things that Mike, Paris, Tyler, and Dennis (our editor and the fourth member of the Tangle x Cast team) are doing.

You can subscribe and listen to us on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, and others. Please subscribe and leave us a review!

Featuring music by Celotron (all rights reserved) and edited by Dennis.

mikesgeekworld
Latest posts by mikesgeekworld (see all)

2 thoughts on “Tangle x Cast 4: Ghibli and Gratefulness”

  1. In the Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service, I love how Kiki grows over the story. At the beginning of the movie she kind of takes flying and talking to her cat for granted, she’s a witch so of course she can do these things. As the story progresses, flying becomes more vital to her business, but she still doesn’t seem to be grateful for it. At one point she even seems to be embarrassed about it, when Tomo seems to care more about her flying than her. And then she suddenly loses her witches powers and can no longer fly or even talk to her cat! Kiki is devastated by the loss of her powers. From that struggle she learns to be grateful for the abilities that she was born with.

Leave a Reply