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Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli was founded on June 15, 1985, by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and along with producer Toshio Suzuki. These directors have produced numerous films, which many have drawn inspiration from various fairy tales and folklore. This time line is highlighting these films and their inspirations. The name "Ghibli" comes from an Italian word that means "hot desert wind" which reflects the studio's goal of bringing a new life to the world of animation... -
Studio Ghibli Part two
Studio Ghibli really sets apart itself from other animation studios by there commitment to hand drawn animation, strong environmental themes, and complex characters, which they often take inspiration from folklore and fairy tales. The studio's first official film was "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" and from there on each one of there films has been masterpieces. One of its most famous films is "Spirited Away" and it won the Academy Award for the Best Animated Feature. -
Studio Ghibli Part Three
There are many of Studio Ghibli's films that take inspiration from classic fairy tales, such as Ponyo which was inspired by "The Little Mermaid", another film would be Howl's Moving Castle, which was based on Diana Wynne Jones's "Beauty and the Beast." Evan though Miyazaki has announced his retirement multiple times, he still continues creating new films like "The Boy and the Heron." As the studio moves forward it will create a legacy of magical storytelling and breathtaking animation. -
My Neighbor Totoro
"My Neighbor Totoro" is not a direct adaptation of a specific fairy tale, but it is deeply rooted in Japanese folklore. In this film, the character Totoro changes between a yokai (spirit) and a kami (god) which are often featured in Japanese tales. Totoro and his friends help Mei and Satsuki to navigate their challenges which is like fairy tales in the way that creatures are living harmoniously with humans. The film also focuses on childhood wonder which makes this a timeless film. -
Kiki's Delivery Service
This story is based on the 1985 novel by Eiko Kadono, and it shares the elements of classic European fairy tales about witches learning how to do magic. In this film, it follows the character Kiki and her journey to becoming a witch. Traditionally, witches in fairy tales are portrayed as powerful, mysterious, and sometimes villainous. But in this story Kiki is not villainous. She must go through trials to prove herself like the witches in folklore. -
Spirited Away
Spirited Away is often compared to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Spirited Away follows a young girl who enters a magical place after stepping into an abandoned amusement park. It also shares a similarity with the story of Hansel and Gretel. Chihiro the girl has to rely on her intelligence and kindness to explore this world full of spirits, witches, and curses. Lastly it takes elements of Japanese folklore, there is a legend of people "spiriting away" into a mysterious world. -
Howl's Moving Castle
Howl's Moving Castle is based on Diana Wynne Jones's novel with the same name Howl's Moving Castle. Jones took inspiration from "Beauty and the Beast." Sophie the protagonist is transformed into an old woman by a curse, which happens in a lot of different fairy tales. Howl is the archetype in making the castle move which is more or less the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. This film also shows elements of European folklore, which include shape-shifting, magical contracts, and enchanted castles. -
Ponyo
Ponyo is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid." In this story, it follows a goldfish who dreams of becoming a human. After meeting a human and falling in love with the young boy, Ponyo wants to live on land. Unlike Andersen's ending to "The Little Mermaid", Ponyo has a happier ending. This film also includes Japanese folklore, which in this film is shown through the sea goddess. It also can blend Western fairy tales with Japanese folklore. -
The Secret World of Arrietty
This story is inspired by Mary Norton's "The Borrowers". The secret World of Arrietty is reminiscent of classic fairy tales like "Thumbelina" "The Elves" and the "Shoemaker". These different stories explore the idea of tiny people living secretly within the human world. This story shows themes of survival, curiosity, and the relationship between small and large things. This relates to fairy tales that depict tiny magical creatures that are living in a human society. -
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
This film is based on "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter," which is one of Japan's oldest fairy tales. This story follows a girl who is discovered inside a glowing bamboo stalk. She then is raised by humans and reveals her heavenly origins. In Western fairy tales, Kaguya is forced into an arranged marriage and undergoes trials, in the end, she returns home on the moon. The film remains pretty close to the original story while also including some of Studio Ghibli's signature emotions and visuals. -
Citations
Encyclopedia Britannica. "Studio Ghibli." Last modified February 26, 2025
https://www.britannica.com/money/Studio-Ghibli Tokyo Weekender. "The Fairy Tales That Inspired Ghibli Films." Last modified February 26, 2025
https://www.tokyoweekender.com/entertainment/movies-tv/the-fairy-tales-that-inspired-ghibli-films/ "Behind the Scenes of Howl's Moving Castle English Dubbing." YouTube, uploaded by Ghibli Mind, Mar 14, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz5Hsud-Yac -
The Future of Studio Ghibli
As of March 2025, Studio Ghibli continues to make new projects. With director Hayao Miyazaki coming back to release "The Boy and the Heron" it has brought a large share of money for the studio to stay running for years to come. The studio is focused on keeping its creativity alive through Studio Ghibli Fest and making new projects in video games and other media. While it is still unclear who will be the next lead of Ghibli creators the studio will carry on the fairy tale-inspired storytelling. -
Citations
Loveridge, Lynzee. "A New Ghibli-Inspired Open-World Game is Coming Next Month and It Looks Beautiful." Polygon, 9 Mar. 2024, www.polygon.com/preview/468520/towers-aghasba-studio-ghibli "Studio Ghibli Fest 2024." GKIDS, https://gkids.com/ghiblifest/ "Planning for Life after Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli Sells Controlling Stake to Nippon TV." Cartoon Brew, 21 Sept. 2023, https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/ghibli-sells-major-stake-to-nippon-tv-232850.html