A world where witches deliver mail, castles move, and ghosts roam freely. Though they are magical, these worlds feel a lot like real life. Studio Ghibli shows us that fantasy is more than just action. It is also about how you feel, how you grow, and how beautiful everyday life is.
Fantasy usually makes us think of big fights, magical creatures, and long, hard quests. But Studio Ghibli, a famous Japanese animation studio, changed the way fantasy stories were told. Besides just magic and adventure, Ghibli movies are also about deep feelings, everyday beauty, and characters that feel real. This is what makes Ghibli movies unique.
A Different Kind of Magic
Most fantasy movies are about good vs. evil, with heroes going up against bad guys. But that’s not the case in Ghibli movies. For instance, look at Spirited Away. The lead character, Chihiro, does not fight a bad guy. Instead, she gets her courage by working in a creepy bathhouse where strange spirits live. In Ghibli movies, the magic is not only about spells and potions. There is also magic in the journey of finding out who you are.
Strong, Relatable Characters
Heroes are common in fantasy movies. On the other hand, Ghibli turns ordinary people into heroes. In the movie, My Neighbor Totoro, Satsuki and Mei are two young sisters. They deal with the hard times of their sick mother while finding a magical world in their backyard. They are strong not because they fight but because they love each other, are curious, and are tough.
The Beauty of Everyday Life
Ghibli movies make everyday things seem magical, while many fantasy worlds feel far away and unreal. For example, Chihiro taking a train ride in Spirited Away, Sophie making a cozy, home-cooked breakfast in Howl’s Moving Castle, Satsuki, and Mei waiting in the rain in My Neighbour Totoro, Shizuku struggling with self-doubt but still pushing through in Whisper of the Heart, or Kiki flying on her broomstick in Kiki’s Delivery Service are all beautiful everyday experiences. Ghibli movies show us that magic can be found in little things.
Villains Who Are Not Always Bad
In classic fantasy, bad guys are often bad just because they can be. That being said, Ghibli makes things trickier. In Princess Mononoke, Lady Eboshi is the main villain. She wants to destroy the forest, but she is nice to people who are on the outside. The businesswoman Yubaba from Spirited Away is strict and greedy, but she is also a loving mom. This realistic approach gives Ghibli’s stories more depth and meaning.
A Deep Connection with Nature
Nature plays a big role in Ghibli films. Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind are two stories that show the complex balance between humans and the environment. Not only do these movies tell stories, but they also teach us to care about nature and be more responsible. That is why Ghibli movies are interesting and still relevant.
Memorable stories
There are not always clear answers or perfect endings in Ghibli movies. They make us think instead. What happened that Haku forgot his name in Spirited Away? What happened to No-Face? Ghibli movies will always be magical because of these unanswered questions.
Studio Ghibli changed the way fantasy stories were told by putting the focus on feelings, relationships, and the beauty of everyday life. The magic in their stories does not come from big battles but from how they make us feel. The real magic is in our hearts, whether it is shown by a tiny dust spirit, a talking fire, or a huge fluffy creature.
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Writer
Sarah Mahdia
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE