Over the years, Studio Ghibli has produced some of the best-animated films loved by people all over the world. The heartwarming stories of the protagonists, along with the whimsical narrative creates a perfect getaway from the everyday mundane life. While the focus of Studio Ghibli movies is more on the main character, some of the supporting characters also get their chance to shine.
In Studio Ghibli productions, the supporting characters act as a backbone of the storyline and assist the protagonists to reach their endgame. However, many of the Studio Ghibli supporting characters have deep stories that are yet to be explored and rightly deserve their own movie.
10 Marnie (When Marnie Was There)
When Marnie Was There tells the story of a young orphan girl, Anna, discovering her identity with the help of a mysterious friend, Marnie. While Marnie is identified as a main character in the movie, much of her story is still left to be explored. The movie focuses more on Anna's self-discovery, so a story based entirely on Marnie's life would be an incredible watch.
Marnie's lonely childhood along with her romance and married life with Kazuhiko would make a great prequel to When Marnie Was There.
9 Sutemaru (The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya)
In The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Sutemaru is first introduced as a friend of the titular character. However, their friendship quickly blossoms romantically as Sutemaru is smitten by Princess Kaguya's beauty and kind personality. Unfortunately, their romance is halted when Princess Kaguya's adoptive father leaves the village to live as a rich man in the city. Unlike most other male protagonists of Studio Ghibli, Sutemaru has a subtle demeanor, but his love for Princess Kaguya shines bright when he asks her to run away with him.
Unfortunately, during the period of his separation from Princess Kaguya, Sutemaru has embraced the role of a husband and father. A movie from Sutemaru's perspective regarding his love for Princess Kaguya and the choices he had to make in his life would be a great gift to the fans of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
8 Catbus (My Neighbor Totoro)
My Neighbor Totoro introduced the iconic Studio Ghibli character, Totoro when it was released in 1988. Along with Totoro, there were many magical creatures in the movie which helped enhance the bewitching factor of the movie. Among the many characters of My Neighbor Totoro, Catbus is considered as one of the most memorable supporting cast of the movie. With its wide smile and body that resembles a bus-like structure, Catbus has its own appealing nature.
The Catbus is mainly responsible for transporting magical creatures from one place to another. An adventure-filled movie with the Catbus as the main character along with appearances by Kittenbus, from Mei and the Kittenbus, would be a joyful watch.
7 Calcifer (Howl's Moving Castle)
In Howl's Moving Castle, Calcifer is introduced as a fire demon responsible for the heating and powering of the magical castle. Originally a falling star, Calcifer is saved by Howl, which leads him to sign a magical contract with the powerful wizard. As per the conditions of the contract, Calcifer is not able to move beyond the hearth in which Howl has kept him. However, Calcifer has an important part in the story since he is the keeper of Howl's heart.
Calcifer's journey from a falling star to a fire demon would be an interesting movie to watch. His adventures as a free spirit along with Howl and Sophie is something fans would love to see on the big screen.
6 Moro (Princess Mononoke)
Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke is one of the iconic Studio Ghibli productions with several strong characters. However, among the supporting cast, the wolf goddess, Moro, certainly stands out. Intelligent and regal, Moro is a motherly figure to San, the female protagonist of Princess Mononoke. Despite having a deep hatred for humans, Moro has raised San as one of her own and has a deep affection for her. Moro is also driven by the mission to protect nature from the rapid industrialization caused by humans.
Moro's journey as a wolf goddess and her time raising San to be a part of her clan would be a great plotline for a prequel of Princess Mononoke. A deeper look into her hatred for humans and why she chose to forsake her hatred for San would also be an interesting watch.
5 Shiro Nishi (Whisper Of The Heart)
Shiro Nishi is the grandfather of Seji Amasawa, the male protagonist of The Whisper of the Heart. As a skilled violin craftsman, Shiro is the owner of a small antique shop near Shizuku Tsukishima's house. Shiro forms a quick friendship with Shizuku and shares his story about the time he spent in Germany and how he lost his love because of the Second World War.
Shiro Nishi's story about his days as a student in Germany would make a remarkable movie for fans. A deeper look at his romance with Louise and the heartbreak he suffered after they got separated due to the war is a storyline that should not be missed.
4 Haku (Spirited Away)
In Spirited Away, Haku is one of the characters who was responsible for keeping the female protagonist, Chihiro, safe and sound in the spirit realm. Originally a river spirit, Haku helps Chihiro find her way back home, and in return, he is able to remember his real name and break the contract with Yubaba. Although Haku is often deemed as not trustworthy by others, he forms a great bond with Chihiro and is there to support her throughout her journey.
Haku's origin as a river spirit is an interesting storyline for a movie. Along with his origins, his fateful encounter with Chihiro during her childhood and at the spirit realm also sparks up the hope that they meet up in the future and embark on more adventures.
3 Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service)
One of the best slice-of-life movies by Studio Ghibli, Kiki's Delivery Service is a magical tale of a young witch's journey towards self-discovery. While the movie is mainly focused on Kiki overcoming her problems, one of her biggest supporting characters, Jiji, certainly deserves his own spotlight. Jiji, a talking cat, is Kiki's closest companion and the voice of reason whenever Kiki had trouble accepting herself. As Kiki's friend, Jiji is always there to support the heroine and help her along with her journey.
During the end of Kiki's Delivery Service, it is revealed that Jiji and his girlfriend, Lily, had our kittens. A movie centered on Jiji and his family while they go on their very own adventure would certainly be a joy to watch.
2 Fujimoto (Ponyo)
Ponyo tells the story of the titular magical goldfish princess who wishes to be a human to live happily with her human friend, Sosuke. However, the one character in the movie who is unhappy with her decision is her father, Fujimoto. As the guardian of sea life, Fujimoto wishes to keep his daughters away from humans, but he is left disappointed when Ponyo expresses her desire to become a mortal. Fujimoto is driven by the force to bring Ponyo back to the sea, however, at the end he realizes that Ponyo is happy with her decision to be a mortal.
A movie based on Fujimoto's origins and his romance with Ponyo's mother, Granmamare would be an interesting watch. Since Fujimoto was originally a human, fans have also been curious about his journey from a human to the guardian of the sea.
1 Yubaba (Spirited Away)
Yubaba is introduced as the main antagonist of Spirited Away, which is one the best ranked Studio Ghibli movies to date. As an intimidating and powerful witch, Yubaba is the owner of the bathhouse in the spirit realm, where she has total control over her workers through a signed contract. While Yubaba is despicable at the beginning, there are many instances where signs of redemption can be seen.
Yubaba is one of the characters who is left with a lot of stories to be explored. A movie based on her origins would be a great watch. The movie can also be spiced up by exploring how Yubaba started the bathhouse and the reason behind her sour relationship with her twin sister, Zeniba.