I've been researching into transnationality within Ghibli films for my dissertation, and as the production company has become more prominent in Western society a few questions have risen: Have the films been created to accommodate a Western audience, or with a Western audience in mind? Over time have they been diluting the references to Japanese culture in their films? Are they still including all of the cultural elements within their films but more subtle and a Western audience aren't fully aware of these elements?

I have also noticed a slight difference within the works by Miyazaki and Takahata, and I feel as though Takahata's productions are, in a way, much more suited for a Western audience (in the sense that his themes are more obvious and his films include more realistic/real life storylines (apart from Pom Poko, but in saying that, the theme tackled is very clear and one which can be related to globally))

I'd love to get some opinions on this, thanks!

I don't feel that they're targeted particularly at audiences from Japan or elsewhere really. I think they tend to be made with a fairly broad audience in mind, sometimes for certain age groups more than others, and the popularity that they achieve in different places is just how it works out, rather than a specific plan.

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To me, all of the movies are geared towards an Eastern audience, but after all, they are made in Japan so why not... The thing of it is, they all meet the desires of world-wide audiences as well. "Only Yesterday", "Ocean Waves", Whisper of the Heart", could be related to any modern world culture. "Spirited Away", "Pom Poko", "Howl's Moving Castle" would meet any fantasy fans liking.

"Totoro", "Kiki's Delivery Service", "Up on Poppy Hill", "Arriety", "Laputa" and others all have to do with growing up to some degree, also a world-wide audience.
"Princess Mononoke", "Ponyo", "Nausicaa" and "Pom Poko" all deal with environmental issues, again, a world-wide issue.

My feeling is that, although created initially for an Eastern market, the movies have created an audience from around the world, meeting the likes and desires of everyone who has been lucky enough to see them.

They may not be scholarly, but these are my offhand opinions.

Welcome to the Tavern, kafring... Stick around, we always like to see new members...

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This question seems to come up a lot, and you may be interested in hearing Miyazaki's own answer:

GORDON - Are you hoping your films will enjoy the same success here that they do in Japan?

MIYAZAKI - I think only about my Japanese audience when I make a film. Of course, I'm delighted that people from other countries also enjoy my films. But I try not to think of this as an international business.

http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/interviews/newsweek.html

However, there is a lot of Western influence in his Miyazaki's work, and that has a lot to do with the fact that he consumed a lot of Western literature in his younger years and was influenced by European animators as well. But that starts going into a separate topic.

As for the worldwide appeal of the films, I think, simply put, that something that is well-made, with sincerity, can appeal to anyone regardless of their intended audience. There is, of course, something lost in translation, but the themes of Ghibli films tend to center around fairly universal concepts,as husky said.

Thanks for the quote Theowne! I'm a little surprised as the films usually give me the impression that they're not geared at a particular part of the world, but I suppose that's a result of those very relatable themes.

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Originally posted by kafring
I have also noticed a slight difference within the works by Miyazaki and Takahata, and I feel as though Takahata's productions are, in a way, much more suited for a Western audience (in the sense that his themes are more obvious and his films include more realistic/real life storylines (apart from Pom Poko, but in saying that, the theme tackled is very clear and one which can be related to globally))

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The impression I've gotten is that the films draw heavily from Japanese culture, often without even trying. I think they're very much a product of their country. This is true of the modern films as well. Mononoke and Spirited Away both seem extremely "Japanese" in character and story, and they were released well after Ghibli went worldwide. One exception I can think of is Howl's Moving Castle, but that's likely because it was based on a British novel and the story required a European setting.

I agree with what others have said though, that more than anything else, Ghibli just makes beautiful, quality films and that widens its audience tremendously.