Studio Ghibli films are some of the most well-loved movies of all time. Their appeal transcends nations, cultures, age and gender demographics, and more, and they're recognized for their superb animation and captivating stories. What many fans perhaps connect with the most is the complex, courageous characters at the core of most Ghibli films.

RELATED: 10 Amazing Qualities Of All Studio Ghibli Anime

Courage can mean many things. It can look different with various characters and stories. There are several degrees of courage. Whether it means having the courage to save the day or simply having the courage to be true to oneself, Studio Ghibli protagonists are the bravest of the brave.

10 Jiro Perseveres Through War And Tragedies (The Wind Rises)

the wind rises

Based on a real-life figure, Jiro Horikoshi is The Wind Rises' main protagonist. His lifelong love of airplanes leads him to study airplane design, and he eventually creates the fighter aircraft Japan uses in WWII.

Jiro is courageous in how he pursues his passion for building planes in a war-torn world. The war is not the only thing that Jiro survives, he also lives through the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake. Most challenging of all, he experiences the illness and death of the love of his life.

9 Ponyo Becomes Her True Self In A Strange World (Ponyo)

Ponyo And Sosuke Leave the house

Ponyo is a truly special fairy tale film. Its titular protagonist, Ponyo, sneaks off from her underwater home and becomes trapped in a glass jar. After she washes ashore, the five-year-old Sosuke rescues her and vows to protect her. Ponyo's love for Sosuke leads to her wishing to live as a human. Ponyo, together with Sosuke, evade her father's attempts to bring her home.

RELATED: 10 Most Wholesome Ghibli Movies, Ranked

Entering a whole new world takes courage. Braving a tsunami and journeying across a flooded world, Ponyo's dedication to living above water with Sosuke is inspiring.

8 Pazu Risks His Life To Save Sheeta And Find Laputa (Castle In The Sky)

Castle In The Sky Flight

In Castle in the Sky, the young Pazu's life changes forever when a mysterious girl named Sheeta floats down from the sky. When air pirates and government agents come after Sheeta for her magical pendant, Pazu drops everything to protect her.

Pazu shows his courage through his determination to help Sheeta even though doing so puts his life at risk countless times. Even when floating from a kite through the eye of a storm to reach Laputa, the legendary floating island, Pazu's courage never wavers.

7 Satsuki Is A Courageous Big Sister To Mei (My Neighbor Totoro)

My neighbor totoro Satsuki and Mei

Satsuki and her younger sister Mei are My Neighbor Totoro's main protagonists. While not without her flaws, Satsuki is responsible and cares deeply for Mei. After the family moves to a new house in the countryside, the sisters discover that magical beings, such as the giant but peaceful creature Totoro, also reside in the neighborhood.

RELATED: The 10 Cutest Ghibli Creatures, Ranked

When Mei goes missing, Satsuki demonstrates great courage in her efforts to find her sister. Also, as the older sibling, Satsuki has a better understanding of their mother's illness and acts bravely for Mei's sake.

6 San Bravely Protects Nature From Human Influence (Princess Mononoke)

princess mononoke San riding a wolf

San is the star of Princess Mononoke. Raised by the wolf goddess Moro, she is wild in appearance, behavior, and spirit. She rejects her human identity and dedicates herself to protecting the forest and its animal inhabitants from harm.

Courage is central to San's character. She is willing to go to any lengths to achieve her goals, even launching attacks on Lady Eboshi to attempt to put an end to Iron Town. Fierce as the wolves that raised her, San is the Ghibli character that many fans love the most.

5 Kiki Perseveres Through Crises Of Identity And Confidence (Kiki’s Delivery Service)

Kiki's Delivery Service

In Kiki's Delivery Service, a charming coming-of-age story, the young witch Kiki leaves her home to create a life for herself. Uprooting and starting from nothing in a new city is a terrifying experience for anyone, let alone for a 13-year-old girl. However, Kiki courageously takes on challenges as they come, settling into her new home in Koriko and establishing her delivery business.

RELATED: 10 Best Anime Based On Novels

When Kiki temporarily loses her powers and her confidence, she bravely pushes forward and eventually regains both in the film's spectacular finale.

4 Sophie Braves A Curse That Turns Her Into An Old Woman (Howl's Moving Castle)

Sophie and Calcifer in Howl's Moving Castle

Based on a novel of the same name, Howl's Moving Castle follows the story of Sophie Hatter, a young woman who is cursed by the Witch of the Waste. The curse turns Sophie into a 90-something-year-old woman, something that she surprisingly takes in stride.

Seeking to break the curse, Sophie becomes a housekeeper in the magical walking castle, home to the mysterious wizard Howl. She courageously and selflessly helps Howl, saving his and Calcifer's lives and stopping the war that ravages the kingdom.

3 Ashitaka Seeks To Lift A Curse And Stop A War (Princess Mononoke)

Ashitaka Princess Mononoke with his arm outstretched and curse mark revealed while hold a stone

While San may be the most recognizable character in Princess Mononoke, Askitaka is just as interesting of a protagonist. The last Emishi prince, he is cursed by a demon that attacks his village. Though he kills the demon and saves his people, he is doomed to die a painful death unless he can find a way to lift the curse.

RELATED: 10 Best Historical Anime With Strong Female Leads

It takes courage to live with such an affliction, and it also takes courage to broker peace between forest gods, San, and a human town, which is exactly what Ashitaka does.

2 Chihiro Works Hard To Save Her Parents' Lives (Spirited Away)

Chihiro follows Haku through the flowers

Chihiro is Spirited Away's young protagonist. She becomes trapped in the spirit world after getting separated from her parents. Despite the possibility of fading away, Chihiro bravely perseveres and gets a job at the spirit bathhouse, in hopes of saving her parents.

During her time in the spirit world, Chihiro faces many obstacles, coming face to face with nightmare-inducing figures such as the enigmatic No Face along the way. Chihiro's courage and determination make her one of the most loved and relatable characters in all of Studio Ghibli.

1 Nausicaä Advocates For Peace In A Post-Apocalyptic World (Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind)

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Nausicaa

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind takes place long after an apocalyptic war destroyed most of the world. The remnants of humanity are at war with the Toxic Jungle, which produces deadly spores and giant insects. Nausicaä, the Valley Of The Wind's princess, finds herself in the middle of the conflict and endeavors to put an end to all the violence and misunderstanding.

Nausicaä bravely advocates for peace and the environment, even sacrificing herself to be trampled by a stampede of giant insects in the process. She truly is the epitome of courage and perseverance.