Hayao Miyazaki always said life was worth living. No matter how many obstacles there are in your path, it does not matter how much everything has reached a dead end. Life always gives amazing moments, unexpected meetings, and everything will be as it should be. In the endless veil of gray everyday life there is always room for bright colors. Life is an amazing thing, especially when stereotypical stories, where good conquers evil, fade before telling how evil defends good (Hayao Miyazaki, Cagliostro Castle).
Who is Miyazaki?
Before you start the story about the castle of Cagliostro, it is worth getting to know better its director.
Hayao Miyazaki can safely be called a masterpiece guru. The Japanese animator and writer was first seen at Toei's studio, where he worked as a character artist. Here he meets Isao Takahata, creates an alliance of animators with him, and fights to improve working conditions. At the beginning of 1971 he transferred to work at TMS Entertainment. Two years later, in 1973, with Isao, he transferred to the Nippon Animation studio.
He first tried himself as a director in 1978, presenting the world the series "Conan is a boy from the future." After the debut, he returned to TMS Entertainment and in 1979 released the film Cagliostro Castle.
In 1985, Ghibli Studio was founded. It is here that the true masterpieces of full-length Japanese animation are created. For the entire existence of the studio, about 12 works have been released. Miyazaki paid special attention to each of them, correcting and correcting every little thing.
"Cagliostro Castle"
This was the first full-length animation of a famous director. He is an example of total animation (when in the scene drawings of not only heroes, but also the background change) and is included in the list of the best animes in Japan. “Cagliostro Castle” is the debut work of Hayao Miyazaki as the only director. Miyazaki is also involved in creating the script and design of the film. December 15, 1979 "Castle Cagliostro" is released, it took 7.5 months to develop it.
Plot: how it all began
Arsene Lupine III - jack of all trades in the field of theft. When the money he stolen from the casino turned out to be fake, he throws it away and goes to the county of Cagliostro. A car rushes past him, driving a girl in a wedding dress. Lupine notices that she is being chased, and decides to help. Ultimately, the bride’s car crashes and is kidnapped. However, she loses the ring, the seal on which seems familiar to Lupine, therefore, together with the theft companion Dzigen, he goes to the ruins of a burnt down castle. Archduke Cagliostro was once killed in this palace, but his coat of arms is similar to the one depicted on the ring.
Not far from the ruins of the castle is a castle, near it Arsen notices a boat on which the girl was taken. Lupine remembers that castle well: once he miraculously escaped by escaping from it. As it turns out later, the girl Arsen was trying to save is called Clarissa. She is the daughter of the late Archduke Cagliostro. The castle where she was brought belongs to Count Cagliostro, who wants to forcibly marry Clarissa in order to gain countless treasures and absolute power.
Fearless Lupine
Lupine tells the Count that he intends to save Clarissa. At this time, upon learning that a well-known recidivist thief was threatening a public figure, an inspector of Zenigata appeared on the island. He suspects that the count is dishonest, but his task is to find and arrest Lupine. Despite the increased security, Arsen sneaks into Clarissa’s chambers and gives her a ring, which later turns out to be fake.
By a ridiculous coincidence, the inspector and Lupine fall into the trap that leads them into the basement. Here they decide to unite and find evidence against the count. After escaping from the dungeon, they find a shop where they print fake banknotes. Lupine makes a fire to save the princess in the background. However, the escape ends in failure. Arsen is injured, and the real ring falls into the hands of the Count.
Hidden treasures
On the day of the wedding, the thief sets up a grand show. Thanks to reporters, the world finds out that the count is printing fake money, and Lupine, dressed as a pope, escapes with Clarissa. But the count is blocking their way, wishing to receive treasures that will be revealed to someone who has two family rings.
Heroes find themselves in a building with a clockwork. There is a statue in which you need to put two rings, and then treasures will appear. The count changes Clarissa to her family ring and tries to start the clockwork. The clock chokes him with arrows, and a secret device drains the lake that surrounds the castle, and treasures appear - an ancient Roman city.
For Lupine, such a treasure is of no value, and he sets off again, promising Clarissa that if she gets into trouble again, he will certainly come to her aid.
This is where Clarissa’s adventures end. The girl has the opportunity to lead a calm and measured life, she is not Lupine. Cagliostro castle for the hero was another adventure that ended well, because in this big world at least one place has appeared where he will be expected. In a quiet and measured life there is always a place for adventure, amazing meetings and coincidences. And for this it is worth living.