Japanese aliveness studioStudio Ghiblihas craft   a wonderfully varied collection of motion picture since its founding in 1985 . The films are famous for their inventive flair , and for showing the globe as a whimsical and wondrous yet still complex place . Many of the moving picture feature distaff protagonists and turn over into a magic realism instigate both by lit and Japan ’s Shinto source .

Tucked by in these movies is a quite a little of sapience . Common   themes in Ghibli include feminism , love , passivism , kinsfolk , and environmentalism . These are braggy topics , but they permeate every   one of the studio apartment ’s worlds and are reinforced by the conversation of the movies ' characters .

Updated on June 8 , 2022 by Stacie Rook : Hayao Miyazaki’sHow Do You Live?is currently being made at Studio Ghibli , ask   inspiration from the record of the same name by   Yoshino Genzaburo , a puerility favorite of Miyazaki ’s . Meanwhile , fans have gained their own inspiration from these   Studio Ghibli quote .

imagery from The Boy and the Heron

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) On Inspiration

“We Each Need To Find Our Own Inspiration. Sometimes That’s Not Easy.”

While Kiki ’s account inKiki ’s Delivery Serviceis , at its most canonic , a fare - of - age tale , another of the pic ’s major themes focuses   on creativity and passions . For Kiki , this is fly , but the movie also explores other pursuit ,   from Ursula ’s life history as an creative person to Osono and her married man ’s bakery business concern .

Whatever her   passions may be ,   Ursula reminds Kiki that it ’s important to know why she ’s   pursuing them , and that this task is ultimately up to the individual . Although inspiration can deepen , look for them out can be a vital part of the originative process .

The Secret World Of Arrietty (2010) On Strength And Love

“My Heart Is Stronger Now That You’re In It.”

The Secret World of Arriettysees its nominal booster navigating the   balance between being independent and keep a strong sustenance system of loved ones around her to help when times get hard .

Arrietty the Borrower is an adventuresome girl , and her curiosity leads her to form a friendship with the human Shō . At the same time , though , this connection put her sept — for whom she cares deeply — at risk of exposure . This quote   solidifies the shackle between the new friend , but it also applies to the love Arrietty feel more generally .

Ponyo (2008) On Loving People For Who They Are

“I Love Ponyo Whether She’s A Fish, A Human, Or Something In Between.”

Ponyois about a young goldfish princess who wish   to become human , and Sōsuke , the human boy she befriend after her indirect request is temporarily granted . Alas , not all is still sailing for the twain .

Sōsuke express the   unconditional dearest he has mature to palpate for Ponyo , which is indicative not only of their wholesome and substantial link but also the larger themes of identity that the picture show tackles .

The Cat Returns (2002) On The Power Of Creativity

“Whenever Someone Creates Something With All Of Their Heart, Then That Creation Is Given A Soul.”

The Cat Returnsis a movie that shows how a Maker ’s works can have a transformative power , and the Baron summarizes that message .   The Baron play a central role in the movie , helping protagonist Haru in her journey to the Cat Kingdom , and it ’s down to the bang craftsmanship of his creator that he ’s able to do so .

On a more meta level , this quote could also cite the Baron ’s introduction visual aspect as aStudio Ghibli side   characterinWhisper of the Heart , and how   the love   he received from fans led toThe Cat Returnsbeing made , bringing the Baron   to life once more .

Castle In The Sky (1986) On Love Persisting

“No Matter How Many Weapons You Have, No Matter How Great Your Technology Might Be, The World Cannot Live Without Love.”

The main plot ofCastle in the Skyconcerns the bemused float city of Laputa , a place full of powerful lost technology which both the movie ’s heroes and antagonists wish well to bump , though their motivation greatly differ .

The film ’s heroine , Sheeta proves she could n’t be more unlike from Colonel Muska , the story ’s villain . Muska wishes to habituate Laputa ’s resource egotistically and destructively , but Sheeta understands the futility of this mind , and values human connection above any force she could maintain .

The Secret World Of Arrietty (2010) On Having A Cause

“Sometimes You Have To Fight For The Things That Are Worth Fighting For.”

The family of Borrowers inThe Secret World of Arriettyare very near to one another , so when danger jeopardize them , Arrietty is quick to pretend , even more so because she feel that their pregnant position is her fault after she ’s lead risks around humankind .

Arrietty   shows her braveness and determination in the face of emergency , show that though by nature she is a peaceable person   with strong ethical motive ,   she is   willing to fight to protect her family and friends when the occasion call for it .

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) On Strength In Hard Times

“They Say That The Best Blaze Burns Brightest When Circumstances Are At Their Worst.”

base on the   book of   the same name by Diana Wynne Jones , someHowl ’s Movie Castlescenes were impossible to adapt , but they still capture the novel ’s message of braveness . The movie follows Sophie , a young womanhood who is cursed to be an onetime woman ,   and in looking for a curative ends up exploit for a inscrutable champion refer Howl .

Sophie digest her primer against   the fire daimon Calicfer when he doubts his ability , and demonstrates   her kindness , as well as her keen brainwave and power to motivate those around her .

The Cat Returns (2002) On Self-Belief

“Always Believe In Yourself. Do This And No Matter Where You Are, You Will Have Nothing To Fear.”

InThe Cat Returns , the Baron , has an of import role in the history , act as both defender and wise man to heroine Haru as she detect her feet . At the movie ’s outset , Haru is a shy yet kind girl who lacks confidence , but her unexpected adventure in the Cat Kingdom changes that .

In this cryptical other realm , Haru has to advocate for herself , and though she has allies who help her she gradually learns to express her own desire , gain a sense of ego - confidence that she takes back with her to her native land .

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) On Appearances

“It Doesn’t Really Matter What Color Your Dress Is. What Matters Is The Heart Inside.”

The unexampled town that witch - in - breeding Kiki choose to move to inKiki ’s Delivery Servicecomes with many new chance , but also its   own set of challenges . For the first clip , Kiki chance herself surrounded by alien who are n’t used to witches , leaving her feeling self - conscious .

This citation , spoken by Kiki ’s mother before Kiki first leaves home , follows a conversation the two have about witch traditions , and predict Kiki ’s later insecurities . Though her dress makes her stand out ,   she learn to be more confident as the movie   goes on , and makes adorable novel friends like Tombo , one ofKiki ’s Delivery Service ’s   serious character , who values her uniqueness .

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) On Nature And Humankind

“Magnificent Tree. It’s Been Around Since Long Ago, Back In The Time When People And Trees Used To Be Friends.”

My Neighbor Totorois a joyful motion-picture show that show the marvel of the countryside and a uncomplicated   life-style from the position of its young protagonists , sisters Mei and Satsuki , while also exploring one of Studio Ghibli ’s recurring musical theme , environmentalism .

Mei and Satsuki ’s father Tatsuo speaks about the tremendous tree where Totoro live , and it ’s through the family ’s respect for nature that they ’re able to tie with the big woodland spirit .

Princess Mononoke (1997) On Persistence

“Life Is Suffering. It Is Hard. The World Is Cursed, But Still You Find Reasons To Keep On Living.”

One of Studio Ghibli ’s more fledged moving picture that spotlight environmentalism and pacifism , usingPrincess Mononokeuses grapheme   with mythological originsto impose its content .   The write up regard the forest and the world of   humans at odds due to   the latter ’s greed .

Princess Mononoketells its   fib in a style that represent   both slope as complex . This quote come from a minor grapheme , a human man name Osa who get from Hansen’s disease . It certify the desperation at the middle of the movie ’s key conflict , and how fear   has advertize both sides to move recklessly .

Spirited Away (2001) On Lasting Impressions

“Once You’ve Met Someone, You Never Really Forget Them.”

Spirited Awayis one of Studio Ghibli ’s most well - sleep with films . It follows a young young lady , Chihiro , who gets immobilise in the acres of spirits and must find a mode to take back herself and her entrance parents home .

name and memory are very important spirit Away . Bathhouse ruler Yubaba capture the name of   her workers to control them , which can take to them bear memory board loss . Yubaba ’s kind twin sis , Zeniba , facilitate embolden Chihiro in her pursuance , pushing her to always think of her true ego , and facilitate others like Haku to do the same .

My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999) On Community

“Life, As They Say, Has Its Ups And Downs. At Times, The Waves May Taunt You, Tossing You In Their Swells. But Take Heart. It’s Hard To Stick With It And Make It On Your Own. But Even A Couple Of Losers Can Survive Most Things If They’re Together.”

My Neighbors the Yamadasis one of Ghibli ’s lesser - fuck labor and has a unique animation mode that ’s styled   like a amusing strip show . The story is non - linear , detailing a serial publication of   present moment in the   liveliness of the Yamada family , each of which is research with safe humor .

Even though it does n’t have a unique narrative , the main message of the movie can be discover in this quote , which shows the value of being border by have it away and like - minded masses who will support one another in all of their endeavors .

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) On New Opportunities

“It’s Funny How You Wake Up Each Day And Never Really Know If It’ll Be One That Will Change Your Life Forever.”

The uncertainty that Arrietty and her kinsperson live with solar day to Clarence Day inThe Secret World of Arriettyis one of their only constants , and though it can sometimes bring them strain and concern , it can also be a   source of excitement , particularly for the movie ’s protagonist .

This mentality helps Arrietty to present all of the unknowable change that life history can bring with a sense of optimism and bravery , permit her view each day as a new chance for adventure .

Tales From Earthsea (2006) On The Realities Of Living

“Deny Death, And You Deny Life.”

AlthoughTales from Earthseais known as one of Studio Ghibli ’s least pop releases , there are still moments of insight   to be find out within its story , even as it dramatically   deviated from its source textile , theEarthseaseries   by Ursula K. Le Guin .

The balance between life and death , for example , is a major theme in the fantasy movie , and this quote shows that by   ignoring one , the other can not fully be understood or appreciated .

NEXT:15 Great Animated Movies That Are n’t Disney Or Studio Ghibli

In a dusty landscape Finn stares out into the distance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Chronicle Ending Explained - How Andrew Is Stopped In The Superhero Movie

Studio Ghibli movies Spirited Away The Cat Returns and Ponyo featured image

Kiki and Ursula stand in front of Ursulas painting in Kikis Delivery Service

Show sees a tiny Arrietty in the flowers in The Secret World of Arrietty

Ponyo in goldfish form swims in a bucket and looks up at a ham sandwich in Ponyo

The Baron guards Haru in the cat kingdom in The Cat Returns.

Sheeta in the kitchen in Castle in the Sky

Arrietty by a leaf in The Secret World Of Arrietty

howl with sophie using magic

The baron drinks tea in a sitting room in The Cat Returns

Tombo and Kiki riding on a bike from Kiki’s Delivery Service

totoro with umbrella and kids

princess mononoke with wolf

Chihiro and No Face on the train in Spirited Away

yamadas posing for photo

Arrietty uses a small peg to tie back her hair

Therru and Arren by the sea

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