One of the most influential production companies in history, Studio Ghibli is well-known for its stories about the human experience, whether in slow-paced films or action-packed fantasy adventures. Acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, the mastermind behind many beloved Ghibli films, also delivers several thought-provoking tales that are sure to stay with the viewer long after they’ve seen them.
As many films are set in fantasy worlds, danger is often present, depending on the themes the story proposes. Princess Mononoke And Healing are both of the fantasy genre, but while Healing is a fantasy film about a goldfish who yearns to become human, Princess Mononke discusses the brutality of war and conflict alongside nature. Regardless of the film’s age rating, Every Ghibli world has a chance of becoming dangerous.
10 Shizuku’s fantasy world is beautiful and exciting
Without the Baron, the dream could have been dangerous (The Whisper of the Heart)
In the slice of life film Whisper of the heartTeenage Shizuku Tsukishima’s passion for creative writing takes a new turn when she meets Seiji Amasawa and his grandfather, who owns an antique shop. Of all the objects in the shop, Shizuku is particularly fascinated by Le Baron, a beautiful cat statue that she learns has a female partner in the decor. She devotes more time to writing and begins a story based on the statues, which become prominent in a dream sequence.
The Baron comes to life in a fantasy where Shizuku, in a new dress, is whisked off her floating island into the air, falling alongside her guide. Shizuku could have been in mortal danger if it wasn’t for a dream, but luckily, her dreamscape disappears as she descends the stairs to her destination.
Despite the only thrilling scene in Shizuku’s fantasy, her world is like any other, with no magical elements. Regardless, her imagination knows no bounds, especially as she works hard to fulfill her passions while finding her place in the world. Alongside her family, friends, and new peers, Shizuku’s story is timeless.
9 Kiki’s journey is heartwarming, even if her arrival is eventful.
The city turns out to be more perilous than expected (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Just like Whisper of the heartKiki’s world is calm and gentle, with a touch of real magic. At the age of thirteen, Kiki leaves her small village to find a town where she will become a resident witch for a year before returning home. With the sarcastic but kind black cat Jiji as her companion, the young witch is both excited and nervous about starting her new life.
Jiji and Kiki decide to hide on a train during a thunderstorm, which takes them near a coastal town that Kiki decides is perfect for them. Everything seems peaceful above the town, but landing proves to be a real problem. Since traffic is not common in Kiki’s small town, she is surprised by a car in flight and loses control. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Although Kiki’s adventure is thoughtful, slow-paced, and warm, the brief encounters with danger occasionally remind the audience that while Kiki is rarely in the business of saving lives (except at the end of the film), Accidents can still happen even in peaceful cities.
8 The Cat Kingdom can be scary for newcomers
Haru must escape the clutches of the Cat King (The Return of the Cat)
Based on the story of the Baron in Whisper of the heartHaru is an introverted teenage girl who possesses the unusual ability to talk to cats. After saving a cat from a truck accident, the cat is revealed to be Lune, the only prince of the Cat Kingdom. Haru is taken to the kingdom after a misunderstanding and must figure out how to return to her own world.
The surprised teen meets a colorful assortment of characters, including Lune’s lover Yuki and the Baron himself. Shizuku’s ties to the Baron are unknown at this point, especially since he is now a living being. Many longtime fans were excited to see her return, while newcomers to the franchise have also become fans of the iconic character.
Although the film is lighthearted, dangers still lurk in the adorable world of the Cat Kingdom. Haru slowly transforms into a cat during his stay, and the Cat King is determined to have her marry Moon, who wishes to be with Yuki. Thanks to the team’s efforts, Haru and his new friends prevail, but not without the peaceful kingdom going through a rather tumultuous event.
7 Arrietty’s size makes everyday life risky
The world is even more dangerous for borrowers (Arrietty)
Based on the novel by Mary Norton BorrowersStudio Ghibli Arrietty (also known as The Secret World of Arietty) focuses on the headstrong daughter of Pod and Homily Clock. Arrietty Clock longs to learn more about the humans they live alongside (albeit unwittingly), much to the dismay of her family.
By chance, Arrietty is noticed by Shō, a boy who is staying with his great-aunt Sadako before undergoing heart surgery. Instead of capturing her, Shō wishes to befriend the borrower, and the two become unlikely friends. Despite their joy, dangerous forces surround Arrietty, such as Sadako’s cat Niya and the overly nosy maid Haru (also known as Hara in the English dub).
Although Haru’s greed remains the film’s primary antagonistic force, other moments remind Arrietty of her whimsical but perilous existence, such as when her father is injured after a borrowed mission. For a borrower, daily human life is a risk, This is why the family plans to move during the film.
6 Ponyo’s ocean world is fantastical but uncertain
Like the real world, the sea can be deadly (Ponyo)
Loosely based on the classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid, Healing tells the story of a little goldfish girl who meets humans for the first time. Brunhilde (as Ponyo was once called by her father) is the daughter of the sorcerer Fujimoto and the goddess of mercy, known as Gran Mamare. Although her little goldfish sisters seem content with life beneath the ocean waves, Brunhilde becomes curious about the outside world after meeting Sōsuke, a curious five-year-old child.
Against her father’s wishes, Brunhilde wants to live with Sōsuke as a human, as Ponyo. Because the boy cut his hand freeing her from a glass jar (and thus cut herself), Ponyo, in her fish form, licked the wound to heal it. By licking the blood, her powers allow her to transform into a human thanks to Fujimoto’s magic. The misuse of magic creates a terrible tsunami, something that doesn’t seem to matter to Ponyo, who lives in the ocean.
Healing is a gentle and whimsical adventure for all ages, but it doesn’t ignore the very real threat of the ocean and its unpredictability. Aside from the floods and storms, a more down-to-earth narrative unfolds with Sōsuke’s father, who is away at sea. Sōsuke’s mother Lisa worries greatly for her husband and his well-being. Thanks to Gran Mamare and her kindness, the humans are kept safe from harm throughout the film.
5 Laputa is at peace until Muska arrives
A man’s pride turns heaven into a weapon (Castle in the Sky)
Two orphans, Sheeta and Pazu, suddenly find themselves thrust into an adventure beyond their wildest dreams when the secret of Sheeta’s crystal necklace is revealed. As the long-lost heirs of Laputa, the floating kingdom, Sheeta and Pazu decide to travel to this nearly forgotten land, though dark forces are hot on their trail. Air pirate Dola is searching for Sheeta’s crystal necklace for herself, while government agent Muska originally kidnapped Sheeta before her escape at the beginning of the film.
The castle in the sky is a thrilling adventure with an unforgettable cast and a mysterious story with continuous twists and turns. The film also nods to Studio Ghibli’s previous film Nausicaa of the Valley of the Windwhile the squirrel-fox creatures present on site populate the ecosystem of Laputa. Alongside these little creatures, a kind robot, the last of its kind, befriends Sheeta and Pazu during their journey.
Laputa might have been destined to be a paradise safe from evil if not for Muska’s influence. After betraying the army, Muska plans to use Laputa as a weapon to destroy the world, believing that he and Sheeta are superior humans (being descendants of Laptuan). Although the agent is prevented from causing further disaster, his actions have prevented everyone from exploring the realm again.
4 Sophie embarks on an adventure across the world
Howl Pendragon practices his magic everywhere, even at the cost of his own life (Howl’s Moving Castle)
Partially based on the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle follows Sophie, a young woman who considers herself rather ordinary compared to others. After being cursed by a jealous witch to look like an old woman, Sophie crosses paths again with Howl Jenkins Pendragon, a handsome wizard who (literally) seduced her earlier in the film. She then decides to work as Howl’s governess, since Howl and his companions neglect to do so.
While the beginning of the film seems to take place in a world primarily focused on magic, the reality of Hayao Miyazaki’s adaptation focuses largely on war and the consequences of that violence. Howl himself has been involved in both sides of the war, transforming into an incredible bird-like being. However, with each transformation, the great sorcerer finds it increasingly difficult to return to his original human form.
Although the film ends with complete peace for everyone, including Howl and Sophie, the events that lead to such calm are almost devastating. Howl’s abilities allow him to teleport from a place of peace to a place of battle, a dizzying change for Sophie and the audience. In a world where magic (used for good and evil) and 20th-century weapons are omnipresent, danger exists in great proportions for everyone.
3 The world of Yokai changes Chihiro’s life forever
Chihiro seeks her family’s freedom amidst fantastical forces (Spirited Away)
Spirited AwayOne of Studio Ghibli’s most famous films, Chihiro follows a nervous young girl who reluctantly follows her parents to an inn on their journey to their new home. Chihiro refuses to eat the delicious food at an abandoned restaurant; her concern is proven justified when she discovers that her parents have been transformed into pigs. Horrified, Chihiro is instructed to take a job at the bathhouse by Haku, one of the residents of the yōkai country.
Chihiro befriends several other yōkai in the Spirit World, but faces an enemy in Yubaba, a witch who steals the second kanji of her name, renaming the girl Sen. If Chihiro fails to reclaim her true name, she will forget it completely and be trapped in the Spirit World forever. She is guided by Haku (and his dragon form) on her journey, who, as Chihiro learns, is also searching for his original name.
While the film ends on a sweet note, the journey is rather eventful for young Chihiro, who is understandably afraid of being lost in a spirit world without her parents. As the film progresses, Chihiro gains a newfound sense of courage, particularly when she helps a polluted river spirit and assists her colleagues after they are swallowed by No-Face (a fan-favorite character). For Chihiro and even her new allies, The spiritual world is not a realm to be underestimated.
2 The sea of corruption is lively but toxic
Nausicaa seeks to save her dying world (Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindStudio Ghibli’s first film, is also based on the manga of the same name by Hayao Miyazaki. A thousand years after a terrible apocalypse and ecocide, a toxic jungle has arisen. In the ashes of civilizations, a few kingdoms still manage to thrive, although they too struggle against the influence of the increasing toxicity of the atmosphere. In the small kingdom of the Valley of the Wind, the resident princess Nausicaä longs to learn more about the toxic jungle, its flora and fauna.
Nausicaä must face an enemy, the Tolmec princess Kushana, who invades the valley with her troops, leading to the death of the king. Kushana plans to use the recently discovered giant warrior embryo to burn the toxic jungle. However, such an action will only worsen the situation and destroy more human civilizations.
Alongside the prince of Pejite, Asbel, Nausicaä navigates both war-torn kingdoms and toxic jungles. Most people are unaware that the Toxic Jungle is the key to humanity’s salvation, but Nausicaä must fight to convince humanity that the Ohms are not their enemies. As Nausicaä has learned, the Ohms are only violent when their home and their kin are in danger.
1 War and curses ravage the land of Sen and Ashitaka.
A battle between humanity and nature breaks out (Princess Mononoke)
Princess Mononoke is a magnificent fantasy adventure that is not afraid to present the horrific realities of conflict and pollution, just like its predecessor. Nausicaa of the Valley of the WindAfter Prince Emishi Ashitaka is cursed by a dying demon, he is forced to travel to the creature’s homeland in hopes of finding a cure. There, he learns that the Great Forest Spirit may be of use to him; unbeknownst to the prince, the creature is in grave danger.
A great war between humanity and nature, including the gods and spirits of the ecosystem, draws Ashitaka’s attention. Lady Eboshi and her troops from Iron Town are at war with the wolf goddess Moro and her pack; among them is San, otherwise known as Princess Mononoke. Abandoned by humans and raised by wolves, she despises others and vows to fight for her pack.
With gorgeous animation and characters that remain iconic today, Princess Mononoke is home to a world where its inhabitants struggle to survive. Even peaceful beings, like the Forest Spirit, whose murder unleashes a merciless wrath of vengeance among humanity. Great tragedies are commonplace in this country, but the film remains a source of hope. in the end for a world where humanity will one day be able to respect nature.