Miyazaki’s movie power died with Princess Mononoke (Mononoke-hime). I wish for the days of Laputa, Nausicca, or any of his oldies. Just not Graveyard of the Fireflies - that movie is pure emotional torture.
I couldn’t watch Howl’s, Ponyo, or any of his new stuff. He’s still bitter that his son stole Earthsea.
Sad for you. Maybe you need to watch Spirited Away, Ponyo, and Howl’s Moving Castle with a child. I’ve watched all of these multiple times and each time I see something new to love. I’ve also watch them in Japanese. My granddaughter prefers Ponyo in Japanese with English sub-titles. I want to own Howl’s in Japanese too since i find some of the American voices annoying. Mononoke - some of the voices are annoying too. The graphic violence and stupid politic message keep me from loving it. Nausicca is long and tedious and if its the one I’m thinking of, also pushing a environazi message.
I like Princess Mononoke (I just kind of ignored the envirowhacko message), although I really didn’t understand the ending.
The Japanese are some talented but bizarre storytellers.
Grave of the Fireflies isn’t a Miyazaki film. Grave of the Fireflies was written by Akiyuki Nosaka, and the film was directed by Isao Takahata. When the movie was first released in Japan it was paired with a Miyazaki film - My neighbor Totoro - so perhaps that’s where the confusion comes from? :)