Laputa Castle in the Sky, Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli

Laputa is a Japanese animation directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki. It was released in 1986. The title comes from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, which also had a flying island. The animation opens with an airship carrying a girl called Sheeta. She has been abducted by Muska, a government secret agent. They are attacked by pirates, led by Captain Dola, who are after the crystal amulet worn by Sheeta. During the struggle Sheeta falls out of the airship. Her fall is slowed down due to the power of the amulet. She floats calmly into the arms of a boy (Pazu).

This ticks all the boxes of a typical Miyazaki film. Interesting female characters such as Dola, and his great passion, flying machines. The conception of Laputa, the last flying city, is breathtaking. It is that semi wilderness place of dreams. The robot is great too. Just a wonderful adventure.