Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio located in Tokyo, Japan. Ghibli films are widely known around the world for their wonderful storylines, beautiful art styles, and iconic characters. They even use one of their characters, a giant cat mascot named Totoro, as their mascot.
Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyasaki and Isao Takahata, the studio has produced some of the most legendary and beloved animated films of all time. Not only do they create stunning worlds full of whimsey, but they also imbue their movies with deep emotional connections that warm the heart, touch the soul, and provide valuable life lessons.
10 Be Kind And Believe In Yourself
In today’s society, there are many factors that can influence a person’s self-confidence and kindness - friends, family, or even the media. Because of this, people can lose sight who they are at their very core.
Kiki’s Delivery Service is a coming-of-age movie about a young witch named Kiki whose only ability is being able to fly. This movie aims to teach viewers to believe in themselves and keep doing what makes them who they are. In addition, it portrays the happiness that someone can find in being confident and appreciating the things that can make someone unique.
9 Love Knows No Boundaries
Ponyo is a small goldfish Princess that washes up on shore and is found by a young boy named Sousuke. After meeting him, Ponyo longs to be a human girl to spend time with him.
She uses her father’s powers to make her dream into a reality and the two become fast friends. But Ponyo’s transformation causes an imbalance in the world, so she can’t remain a human girl. But Sousuke doesn’t care. He loves her whether she is a fish or a human girl. It’s a valuable life lesson that proves love and friendship know no bounds.
8 Embrace The Unknown And Leave Your Comfort Zone
Sometimes the smallest steps can lead to the biggest adventures. This is true for many of the protagonists in the films made by Studio Ghibli. If Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle or Chihiro from Spirited Away didn’t embrace the unknown and step outside of their comfort zone, they never would have experienced all the wonders that the world had to offer.
By leaving their comfort zone, they were able to grow as a person and gain confidence that they didn’t have before. These movies are inspiring and show that embracing the unknown can be a good thing.
7 Respect And Care For The Environment
Lush and beautiful worlds are prominent in almost all of the films made by Studio Ghibli but the most notable being Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke, and My Neighbor Totoro. The scenic designs, the happy creatures living full lives, and the respect that the characters show the environment (and the spirits that dwell within them), are subtle ways of showing just how beautiful and amazing the natural world can be if it's respected and taken care of.
6 Show Kindness To Strangers And Creatures Alike
No matter if it’s a person, spirit, or even a creature, showing kindness to a stranger is a valuable life lesson. The whole premise of My Neighbor Totoro focuses on that. Two sisters, Satsuki and Mei move into a new house and discover Totoro, a large, cat/bear-like forest spirit.
They could have been afraid or unkind to the creature, but instead, they were kind and befriended the spirit. Another Ghibli film with this premise is Kiki’s Delivery Service. As Kiki settles into a new town, she performs an act of kindness to a stranger which leads to her having a place to stay. It goes to show that being kind costs nothing and can lead to great rewards.
5 Never Let Your Creativity Die
Creativity can manifest in many forms - designing, drawing, writing, music, and more. Whichever talent that someone possesses, it’s something that should be fostered and grown, not denied or disregarded.
Many of the characters in the films made by Studio Ghibli are incredibly creative, which isn’t surprising considering the talent and creativity that goes into making them. It just goes to show that if there weren’t characters like Ursula from Kiki’s Delivery Service or Seiji and Shizuku from Whisper of the Heart, there wouldn’t be art, music, or stories.
4 Care For Your Loved Ones
Caring for family is a prominent life lesson in Studio Ghibli films. But family doesn’t have to include just blood relatives - it can also mean people who are like family. No matter what happens, family is worth fighting for.
Grave of the Fireflies is a heartbreaking film about a family being torn apart by war. Not only does it show the importance of family, but also the importance of life and living. While From Up on Poppy Hill proves that a family doesn’t have to be blood-related. As long as they love, respect, and care for each other, that’s all that matters.
3 Appreciate All Of The Little Things
With how busy day-to-day life can become, it’s hard to find moments of much-needed peace and quiet. But when those moments are available, take them. Even while completing quests or going on adventures, the characters in Studio Ghibli films always take a moment to appreciate the little things whether it’s to enjoy a nice sunny day, smell the roses, or stop to appreciate the scenery.
Whatever it may be, these films show that it’s okay to appreciate the small things because it’s a good reminder that life isn’t just for working, it’s for living.
2 Transform Dreams Into Reality
When someone pursues their passions, it’s quite possible for their dreams to become a reality. This life lesson is the main point of the film The Wind Rises, a story that features Jiro Horikoshi and his creation of the Zero Fighter during World War II.
Due to his drive and his willingness to work hard and pursue his passions through thick and thin, he was able to achieve his goal and create something amazing. He proved that people can achieve their dreams if they have courage, passion, and determination.
1 There Are More Important Things Than Fear
One of Studio Ghibli’s most popular films is Spirited Away due to its fairytale-esque world with a very down-to-earth storyline despite its fantastical elements.
After a series of unfortunate events, Chihiro finds herself in a strange new world surrounded by both good and evil spirits. But in order to get her parents back, she has to face her fears, not only of this new world but also of the unknown. Chihiro learns that there are more important things in life than fear and it’s a valuable life lesson for viewers as well.