This study shows that playing an open-world game, such as The The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and nostalgia evoked by Studio Ghibli films significantly foster a sense of exploration and calm in life, as well as a feeling of mastery and skill, and purpose and meaning, hence ultimately contributing positively to one’s overall happiness in life.
Source: Arigayota A, Duffek B, Hou C, Eisingerich A Effects of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Studio Ghibli Films on Young People’s Sense of Exploration, Calm, Mastery and Skill, Purpose and Meaning, and Overall Happiness in Life: Exploratory Randomized Controlled Study JMIR Serious Games 2025;13:e76522 DOI: 10.2196/76522
There is a reason why I have never watched Grave of the Fireflies. I will not have my soul crushed in eternal sadness.
When someone first told me about Studio Ghibli I was told it was "like Japanese Disney films". Went to watch a Castle in the Sky and quite enjoyed it. Then I watched Grave of the Fireflies. I kept telling myself through out watching it "it'll get happier soon right?"... Pretty sure I just sat there for like 10 minutes after it ended.
It's fantastically well done. I don't know if I'll ever be able to bring myself to watch it again.
I could be slightly misremembering the exact context during which I watched Grave of the Fireflies but I'm 95% sure it was a school outing and either in primary school or junior high 20 or so years ago.
Needless to say it was absolutely gut wrenching, but also extremely memorable.