Notable mentions:
1. Simoun
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo Ai, Military, Science Fiction.
Description:
In the peaceful theocracy of Simulacrum, everyone is born female. At age 17, each maiden undergoes a special ceremony where she chooses her sex. However, only Pairs of maiden priestesses can synchronize with the ancient flying ships known as Simoun needed to defend Simulacrum. These Pairs refrain from undergoing the ceremony as long as they wish to keep piloting their Simoun.
Aer is recruited to be a Simoun pilot after a terrifying attack by an enemy nation decimates the squadron known as Chor Tempest. To earn her wings she needs to find her way into the heart of Neviril, Regina of Chor Tempest. But Neviril's heart still belongs to her previous Pair, lost in the battle when she attempted a forbidden Simoun maneuver.
Important themes: adolescense as time of self-discovery and developing a sense of self-identity; war and how it affects people; fear of growing up; learning how to work out interpersonal relationships as a whole and building up a stable relationship with your partner in particular; understanding and living through different kinds of love and infatuation; learning to make decisions and stand up for yourself.
Also cute girls are kissing to fly a giant robot. How can you say 'no' to that?
2. Omoide Poroporo
Genres: Romance, Slice of Life, Drama
Description:
Taeko Okajima is a twenty-something woman currently working as an office lady for a large company in Tokyo. She decides to a take a break from her life in the big city, and takes a trip out to the countryside to visit her brother-in-law.
During her time there, she will have a completely different experience, becoming intimately familiar with the hard work of a farmer while spending time with friendly villagers and family members. This atmosphere will bring back nostalgic memories. She will begin to remember once more her life as a child: puppy love, the awkward stages of adolescence, and the challenges of dealing with boys and math class.
The time spent away from the everyday grind will make Taeko question the path she has chosen.
Important themes: coming of age and self-discovery.
Omoide Poroporo is one of the lesser known Ghibli films, which honestly is a shame, because to me personally it feels way deeper than your usual Howl or Sprited Away — as pretty as they are.
It's filled with nostalgia and finding beauty in casual reality; has astounding visuals; is touching and complex in its simplicity, and works with themes that hit home with many adults.