When the news broke that Studio Ghibli movies are hitting Netflix, fans of the popular Japanese animation studio rejoiced. However, when it was clarified that the new inclusions of Studio Ghibli movies would not be available for Netflix users in the US, Canada, and Japan due to licensing issues, loyal fans in these countries were left heart-broken.
Is there a way to join fellow international users to welcome the best of Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix?
Yes. Read on, and you can start watching some of the best anime ever created — on Netflix.
What Is Studio Ghibli?
For those who are in the dark on what Studio Ghibli is all about, the name refers to a renowned animation studio in Japan. Founded in 1985, Studio Ghibli has dominated the local industry in Japan and has gained loyal followings across the world.
One of the best works from the studio is Spirited Away, which was published in 2011. The fantasy anime that features Chihiro Ogino was directed by none other than Hayao Miyazaki, the founder of Studio Ghibli. Spirited Away went on to create a history of chalking up $360 million from the international audience.
Throughout the decades, the work of Studio Ghibli has been recognized by the awards they have won. Five of the studio’s films were nominated for the Academy Award, and Spirited Away was the winner in 2003. The film was also the proud winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2002.
The fact that Studio Ghibli’s movies are coming to Netflix is a big deal for fans of the studio’s work. Even if the studio’s style of the film is not to your taste, you’ll be impressed by the high standard of animes that are comparable to award-winning movies.
Which Studio Ghibli Shows Can I Watch on Netflix?
21 titles from Studio Ghibli have been added for Netflix. These films are available to all Netflix libraries, except those in the US, Canada, and Japan.
How to Watch Ghibli On Netflix
With titles like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, Netflix users around the world can rekindle their past with the deep-moving narration of the anime. At least, that’s what Netflix users outside of the US, Canada, and Japan can do.
If you’re residing in the US, searching for “Castle In The Sky” will bring you “related to” anime on the results. The same goes for Canada and Japan Netflix users.
But, all hope is not lost if you can’t locate any of Studio Ghibli’s titles on your Netflix screen. The logical solution for this predicament is to access the Netflix library in one of the countries where Studio Ghibli’s movies are available.
By default, you’ll be directed to the Netflix library in your country. In order to access Netflix in a foreign country, you’ll need a VPN. The VPN enables your device to take on an IP address from a foreign country, which will trick the Netflix server into believing that you’re accessing the content from the same country.
In this guide, we’ll be using NordVPN to get access to Studio Ghibli movies in Netflix. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
1. Download and install NordVPN. Connect to a server in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, or Latin America.
2. Open up Netflix on your browser. And search “Castle In The Sky.”
3. Click Play and enjoy the movie.
Best VPN For Watching Studio Ghibli Films
It seems that getting a VPN is the most straightforward answer to catching Studio Ghibli films on Netflix. However, not all VPNs are capable of granting you access to Netflix servers. In the past years, Netflix has wisened up and tightened its firewall against incoming connections from VPN servers.
Only a few VPNs are capable of unblocking Netflix content. The key here is to get one that unblocks Netflix in the UK or countries where the films are accessible. Of those VPNs, you’ll want to stick with one that offers high connection speed for an uninterrupted streaming experience. Here are some of the best VPNs that will get you on Studio Ghibli films in no time.
FEATURES | ExpressVPN | PIA | NordVPN | Assguard |
| Unlocks Ghibli on Netflix | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| High-speed for streaming | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| AES-256 encryption | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Number of countries | 94+ | 45+ | 59 | 50+ |
| No-logs policy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 Customer support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| No of devices | 5 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Starting Cost (Monthly) | $12.95 | $9.95 | $11.95 | $7.99 |
Summary
It’s frustrating when the rest of the world is enjoying Studio Ghibli’s best works but you can’t just because you’re in the US, Canada, or Japan. True fans will go the distance to get access, and installing a VPN is the easiest fix without leaving your home.
