Imagine a place where cats can talk, a forest where spirits roam freely, a cosy moving castle, adorable little creatures and dragons soaring the sky- welcome to the enchanting world of Ghibli Studio. Founded in Japan in 1985 by visionaries Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Ghibli Studio crafts captivating animated movies renowned for their high-quality filmmaking.

One of the wizards behind the curtain is Hayao Miyazaki, conjuring some of the most beloved characters and stories in the last decades in animation. In these worlds, you will encounter characters like Ponyo, a curious little goldfish girl who loves ham, or heroines like Chihiro, who navigates a mysterious bathhouse filled with magical beings in “Spirited away“. Whether it’s the mischievous Kodama or the gentle giant Laputa in “Castle in the Sky”, Ghibli characters stay with you.

One of the most beloved and iconic characters is Totoro from “My neighbour Totoro“, who is also the mascot of the Ghibli Studio. He is that huge and lovely creature who protects the forest and loves to take naps. He is so popular that he has even made cameo appearances in other movies such as “Kiki’s delivery Service“, “Pom Poko” and even “Toy Story 3”. For more images and information, you can check out the official website of Studio Ghibli, where they have generously made available a significant number of photos of their films to be downloaded.

The masterminds behind these stories, Miyazaki and his colleagues, find their creative spark in the essence of nature, beautifully reflected in every frame of their films. Ghibli animated movies also draw inspiration from traditional Japanese tales and stories from around the world. Miyazaki, an avid admirer of Ursula K. Le Guin, was particularly inspired by her Earthsea series, which was adapted into “Tales of Earthsea”. Additionally, “Howls Moving Castle” has its roots in a novel by Diana Wynne Jones, “Arrietty” in Mary Norton’s ‘The Borrowers’, and “When Marnie Was There” from Joan. G Robinson’s book.

Let’s discuss another hero in these animated films- the music! Their extraordinary soundtracks are often orchestrated by the brilliant composer Joe Hisaishi, who is a master at creating symphonies of emotions that intensify the stories, making them truly immersive.

Now, here is a crucial question: Have you had the chance to watch any Ghibli movie? If the answer is no, I hope you feel encouraged to embark on that magical journey soon (The Boy and The Heron is still screening in cinemas) If the answer is yes, which one is your favourite? I know, it’s tough to choose! In my case, I’ll stick with the princesses; “Mononoke Hime” directed by Miyazaki, and “The Tale of Princess Kaguya” by Isao Takahata. They are both splendid!

So, you know that the Ghibli spirit lives on, inviting new generations to embark on extraordinary adventures where imagination knows no bounds.

Don’t miss out on checking out the list of books and Ghibli films waiting for you.

Ghibli guides

Ghibliotheque : an unofficial guide to the movies of Studio Ghibli / Leader, Michael
“A fully illustrated book that reviews each Studio Ghibli movie from the animation studio. Providing background information on how the films were made and considered film-fan reactions to the works themselves. Illustrated with stills and posters, portraits of the creative team and the studio itself. A comprehensive guide to the complex, mysterious and entertaining worlds of the Oscar-winning animation company”–Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue)


Studio Ghibli : the films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata / Odell, Colin
“The animations of Japan’s Studio Ghibli are amongst the highest regarded in the movie industry. This book examines all their major works and explores the cultural and thematic threads that bind these films together.” (Catalogue)

Studio Ghibli : the unofficial cookbook / Vo, Minh-Tri
“Create delicious dishes from My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, and more with this cookbook inspired by the stunning worlds of Studio Ghibli! Whether they offer a moment of family bonding, comfort in difficult situations, or pesky temptations, the kitchen scenes are always of central importance in Studio Ghibli films. Now, with Studio Ghibli: The Unofficial Cookbook, you can recreate more than twenty of these movie-inspired recipes in your own home! Featuring recipes such as the sumptuous bento from My Neighbor Totoro, the herring and pumpkin pie from Kiki’s Delivery Service, the red bean buns from Spirited Away, and more. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The world of Studio Ghibli / Leader, Michael
“Welcome to the world of Studio Ghibli, a place where you can learn to fly on the slightest breeze and where monsters are never what they seem. Whether you dream of riding on a dragon’s back like Chihiro, catching the Catbus with Mei or living in a moving castle with the wizard Howl, this book will show you Studio Ghibli’s most beloved characters and films. Why not dress up with Kiki and Pazu, cook ramen with Ponyo or make your very own animated soot sprite? What are you waiting for? The magic is just a train ride away”–Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue)
Adaptation and inspiration

Howl’s moving castle / Jones, Diana Wynne
“Eldest of three sisters in a land where it is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl.” (Catalogue)

The Borrowers / Norton, Mary
“Miniature people who live in an old country house by borrowing things from the humans are forced to emigrate from their home under the clock.” (Catalogue)
When Marnie was there / Robinson, Joan G
“Anna hasn’t a friend in the world until she meets Marnie among the sand dunes. But Marnie isn’t all she seems. Sent away from her foster home one long, hot summer to a sleepy Norfolk village by the sea, Anna dreams her days away among the sandhills and marshes. She never expected to meet a friend like Marnie, someone who doesn’t judge Anna for being ordinary and not-even-trying. But no sooner has Anna learned the loveliness of friendship than Marnie vanishes.” (Catalogue)

The books of Earthsea / Le Guin, Ursula K.
“Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the timeless and beloved A Wizard of Earthsea –“…reads like the retelling of a tale first told centuries ago,” (David Mitchell)–. Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea novels are some of the most acclaimed and awarded works in literature–they have received prestigious accolades such as the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, the Nebula Award, and many more honors, commemorating their enduring place in the hearts and minds of readers and the literary world alike.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Manga series

Princess Mononoke. Volume 2 of 5 / Miyazaki, Hayao
“It was the Age of Iron: a time when mankind was just starting to understand its ability to exploit the earth and all its natural resources. But a war was brewing – a war between a village of iron miners and the animal gods of the surrounding forest.” (Catalogue)

Shuna’s journey / Miyazaki, Hayao
“Shuna, the prince of a poor land, watches in despair as his people work themselves to death harvesting the little grain that grows there. And so, when a traveller presents him with a sample of seeds from a mysterious western land, he sets out to find the source of the golden grain, dreaming of a better life for his subjects. It is not long before he meets a proud girl named Thea. After freeing her from captivity, he is pursued by her enemies, and while Thea escapes north, Shuna continues toward the west, finally reaching the Land of the God-Folk.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. I / Miyazaki, Hayao
“An epic fantasy about the princess of a small kingdom who becomes involved in a war, while environmental disaster threatens the survival of humankind. On her journey, she struggles to bring about a peaceful coexistence among the people of her world, as well as between humanity and nature.” (Catalogue)