Studio Ghibli films have quite the legacy among anime and in the overall world of animation and film. As renowned as the famous studio is for its storytelling, perhaps its best-known quality is the painstaking attention to detail with scenery. Ghibli films' meticulous environments are never unwieldy, with every detail creating an immersive experience for audiences of all ages.
Regardless of the amount of action in any given film, Studio Ghibli doesn't shy away from depicting and reveling in the mundanities of life. The intricate scenery envelopes viewers in comfort, letting them ruminate with the emotions on-screen. From serene home to chaotic castle, here are a few of Ghibli's best settings.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya - The Countryside
While its visual style is different from what fans usually expect to see in a Ghibli film, the aesthetics of The Tale of Princess Kaguya are no less expressive. At first, the stylistic choice may appear as a simple visual nod to the 10th century tale the movie is derived from. However, by using a style that replicates traditional Japanese brushwork, Princess Kaguya's emotions are amplified in such a way that they transcend the screen.
The film's pared-down approach to its setting creates a contrast between the humble world Princess Kaguya was born into and the world of the divine she's meant to return to. The minimalism is never lacking, with each omission or inclusion of detail symbolizing the dichotomy of traditional values expected by Princess Kaguya, versus her struggle to maintain individuality.
The Secret World of Arrietty - Sho's House
Based on the book The Borrowers by Mary Norton, The Secret World of Arrietty literally magnifies the exquisite scenery Studio Ghibli is known for. Since a good portion of the film is viewed from the perspective of Arrietty, the objects that fill Sho's mother's house range from banal to fantastical. Despite its portrayal of the "normal" as giant, the scenery doesn't become menacing. Instead, the scale lets the home's lavish detail become a world of its own.
Regardless of the characters' varied visual perspectives, the house is simultaneously magical and soothing. It reflects Arrietty's desire to explore while also being a room of respite for Sho.
Ponyo - Sosuke's House
The setting of Ponyo is almost as full of whimsy as its titular character herself. The underwater scenes are immersive, beautifully illustrating the sea's vastness and paralleling Ponyo's curiosity for what lies beyond. The film strikes a perfect balance between the sublime expanse of the sea and the cozy safety of Sosuke's cliffside house, and never at the expense of detail.
Sosuke's house is just as mysterious to Ponyo as the depths of the ocean are to humans, but it's also incredibly inviting. The kitchen is the heart of the home and, in typical Ghibli fashion, the act of cooking and eating is gorgeously rendered. The aesthetics of the lively ocean, coupled with the warmth of a shared meal at home, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of childhood and the love of family and friends.
Howl's Moving Castle - Howl's Castle
In a movie where wizards and magic play a key role, the extraordinary is to be expected -- especially when it's coming from Studio Ghibli. Howl's castle is far from a traditional brick-and-mortar fortress with turrets, in both the film and the book it is adapted from. The castle's wondrous interior and chaotic clutter is eye-catching, but it also visually represents who Howl is.
Howl's maturation and growing relationship with Sophie are charted through the castle's changing appearance. Originally avant-garde and filled to the brim with mess and bauble, the castle comes to embody the warmth of a loving home once Howl and Sophie's curses are dissolved.
Studio Ghibli films are a masterclass in the notion of a picture being worth a thousand words. The settings elevate the simplest of pleasures to opulence, reminding viewers to pause and appreciate the beauty around them in their day-to-day lives. Whichever Ghibli film fans choose to watch, they can expect to be treated to dazzling views and to leave with new appreciation of the everyday.