Earlier this week, the director of Pixar's Hoppers, Daniel Chong, posted an animation test from the film to social media. Hoppers, by most metrics, is a big hit and has ended something of a cold streak for Pixar's original offerings. But the response to the test, which is notably in 2D, and very reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's distinctive style, was unanimous: instead of Pixar's 3D house style, which has been industry standard for over three decades, why couldn't Hoppers look like that?
It's a thought that I couldn't get out of my head while re-watching Studio Ghibli's 1989 classic Kiki's Delivery Service, which is back on the big screen this week in glorious IMAX. It should be news to no one that Ghibli makes beautiful movies. Their nostalgic, painterly, soulful art style and whimsical worlds have enchanted generations. But in the cold light of 2026, where the animated landscape is almost completely dominated by hyperactive, saucer-eyed characters in vibrant, but vaguely rubber-looking worlds, watching Kiki's Delivery Service is like sailing on a sea of tranquility.
