The Magic of Studio Ghibli

If you know me, you probably already know I’m a huge Studio Ghibli fan. The works of Hayao Miyazaki have deeply inspired me - I’ve watched every film, explored some behind-the-scenes interviews, and recently read The Complete Works of Studio Ghibli by Colin Odell and Michelle Le Blanc.

Founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli is, in my eyes, the gold standard of visual storytelling. Every frame feels thought through, every character arc is quietly profound, and there’s a kind of magic woven into the everyday.

Studio Ghibli films explore themes like environmentalism, pacifism, childhood wonder, metamorphosis, the tension between tradition and modernity, and the quiet strength of everyday people. Recurring motifs include flying, magical realism, strong female protagonists, and anthropomorphic creatures— to create a world that’s both whimsical and deeply human.

I feel there are 3 main reasons why I love each of Ghibli’s movies and why their movies will make it to my 'Movies you should watch in your lifetime' list (if I ever end up making one) -

Emotion Without Excess

One of the most powerful aspects of Studio Ghibli films is how deeply they move you. Emotions in Ghibli are subtle, authentic, raw and often left unspoken. Grief is shown in silence. Joy in stillness. Love in gestures.

The kids waiting quietly for their father to come home (My Neighbour Totoro). A brother’s love for her sister till the very end (Grave of the fireflies). Two characters sitting side by side, saying nothing(Spirited Away). The feelings never seem like it's been imposed – as an audience I always felt encouraged to discover.

To understand how the audience would process these emotions, let’s break it down using Bartsch’s three levels of emotional engagement (a model I came across recently)

• Stimuli – Triggered by surface level elements like music, colour, visual effects etc. Like being in complete awe when we first see Howl’s moving castle in all its glory.

• Schematic – Triggered by specific situations and characters in the story.  Like in Kiki’s home delivery we witness the initial fear and self-doubt when Kiki tries to fly for the first time.

• Symbolic – Triggered by interpretations of abstractness, metaphors, cultural symbols, existential questions etc. In spirited away we realise at the end that Haku is the name of the river connected to an incident in Chihiro’s childhood.

Imagination grounded in reality

“All the films juggle internal realism with distorted embellishments, and it is in the mix of the two that the films and the individual scenes within them find their voice”. Ghibli movies involve fantastical scenes and characters (from a soot ball to Totoro to Calcifer to No Face and so many others). However, it is not escapist fantasy. It is rooted in everyday life given the themes of growing up, grief, family, resilience and identity. Even in fantasy worlds the characters eat, sleep and do daily chores making the audiences connect to the story. The visuals — whether magical or mundane — are crafted with great intent. The magical elements awaken your inner child through vibrant, enchanted worlds, while the everyday details keep you grounded in reality. This constant push and pull between whimsy and familiarity creates the distinct emotional rhythm that defines Ghibli films.

An example to illustrate my point -

In Pom Poko, you will see that some racoons are shapeshifters and can transform into anything. Their parade of illusion is so surreal and spectacular. While on the other side, their daily life in forest is about playing, finding food and discussing about their survival. There is a tension related to expanding urban sprawl and their reducing habitat.

Strong yet gentle storytelling

The narrative style of strong depth and gentle delivery is a hallmark of Ghibli movies. Ghibli films are like quiet waves — gentle in form yet deeply moving. Despite exploring themes like war, loss, grief, and family, the storytelling is never melodramatic. Instead, there’s a lightness of touch that reveals the brilliance and maturity of the creators.

Visually, these films lean into stillness: long, dialogue-free scenes that invite the audience to engage, feel, and reflect. The subtle hand-drawn animation, soft color palettes, and masterful background scores (often by Joe Hisaishi) work in harmony.

A powerful example from Grave of the Fireflies is the scene where Seita gives his younger sister Setsuko a fruit drop candy tin.

On the surface, it’s a tender moment — a brother offering candy to cheer up his starving sister. But underneath, it holds deep emotional weight: their innocence in the face of war. There’s no dramatic background score, no dialogue-heavy scene — just the soft clink of candy and quiet moments between the siblings. The tin can being reused to hold her ashes later makes the story so devastating and unforgettable (and a movie I will never be able to watch again)

So, if you find yourself being intrigued by Ghibli – here are my top picks with one insight and a scene that moved me from each of these movies. (It is very tough to pick out 5 but here you go)

• Spirited Away - Sometimes losing your way in a strange world is the way of finding your true self

• Kiki’s Home Delivery - When you lose your magic it is often a sign to rediscover your sense of self, not your power

• Howl’s Moving Castle - True strength is not found in magic or power but in quiet self-acceptance.

• Grave of the Fireflies - War does not kill people, it erases childhood hope and the moments that make up our lives.

• The tale of Princess Kaguya - True happiness is not in wealth or beauty but in authentic moments of being human

Sharing a few of the Ghibli inspired artworks I made

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