Studio Ghibli’sfilms have been respected for generations for their mythical settings, immersive storytelling, and above all else, their dynamic characters. Both human and animal characters alike in these movies resonate with viewers, and few fictional icons have quite the draw that Studio Ghibli’s adorable animals and magical creatures do.
From Totoro to Calcifer, there are a great number oflikable Studio Ghibli characterswho are so adorable they have garnered their own devoted fanbases. They are more than just their mannerisms and cute character designs; these characters play important parts in their respective Studio Ghibli films, and their worlds would not be quite as joyful without them.
There are a lot of charming animals and other magical creatures inHowl’s Moving Castle,but Heen is one of the most underrated of the bunch. The villainous Madame Suliman is Heen’s owner, yet he shifts to the good side and becomes intertwined in Sophie’s quest to revert to her youthful age and help Howl find himself.
This endearing dog is characterized by his shaggy fur that drags the ground when he walks, his ever-present grunts and wheezes, his heavily-lidded eyes giving the appearance of perpetual exhaustion, and his penchant for lying around doing nothing. As helpful as he is at times, Heen enjoys the simple pleasures of rest and relaxation most of all.
Ponyo’s sisters may not look very fishlike, but their optimistic expressions and complete adoration for their sister Ponyo make them stand out as some of Ghibli’s most adorable aquatic creatures. They are always depicted swimming in a massive cluster, and they are frequently searching for the older sister they look up to.
Ponyo’s sister’s movements and mannerisms are distinctly evocative of fish, although they boast human hair and faces, but this mix of different features works out to appear very cute, not creepy in the slightest. The tight-knit sibling relationship between themselves and Ponyo only serves to make them even more endearing than they already are.
8Calcifer
From Howl’s Moving Castle
Calcifer is one ofHowl’s Moving Castle’smost necessary characters because of his entanglement with Howl due to a contract between them. Calcifer nearly died, but when Howl offered up his heart, he was able to survive. He lent his powers to Howl as repayment for rescuing him.
The character is depicted as an anthropomorphic ball of fire, and he can perform all the functions of fire in the real world, like cooking breakfast and warming a home, for example. He does not just help Howl with these menial tasks though, he allows him to access magic he would never have otherwise, like the moving castle.
More than just a sentient fireball, Calcifer also has a witty personality and is never afraid to make humorous quips that liven up otherwise dismal situations. He is more than just another cute side character; he is at the center of the conflict inHowl’s Moving Castle,so he is a truly irreplaceable part of Studio Ghibli’s lineup.
Various magical spirits appear again and again throughout Studio Ghibli movies, and Kodama are some of the most meaningful. These spirits reside within trees, and are depicted as small, human-shaped beings with circular black eyes and mouths and short arms and legs. Tree spirits are an established part ofJapanese folklore and Studio Ghibli’s take on themis phenomenal.
The Kodama can also glow, emitting soft light that illuminates the surrounding forest. They were not just added to themasterpiece moviePrincess Mononoketo be cute, they spread an important message about environmentalism, since they can only survive within a healthy, non-polluted forest and if the forest becomes harmed in any way, so do the Kodama.
The Kodama are a fitting way to represent the necessity of preserving natural resources and treating nature with respect.
Environmental conservation messages have always been a prominent and intentional aspect of Studio Ghibli movies, such asPrincess MononokeandNausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,and the Kodama are a fitting way to represent the necessity of preserving natural resources and treating nature with respect, and the consequences of not doing so.
Ōtori-Sama, or Lord Big Birds, only showed up inSpirited Awayfor a short time, but that was long enough for these bird spirits to make a long-lasting impression. They were shown soaking in a steaming tub, with appearances that are almost identical to ducks. They are yellow, possess orange beaks, and have snuggly round bodies.
They often congregate in The Bathhouse, and even though they do not have a substantial effect on the storyline of the film, their colorful cuteness and mannerisms as they patronize Chihiro’s workplace make them impossible to ignore.
No one might have ever imagined that something as pesky as dust could be cute, but Studio Ghibli’sSoot Sprites prove this mindset wrong. Formally named Susuwatari, the Soot Sprites are clouds of grime with wide, expressive eyes and long, spindly arms and legs that they use to carry items like coal.
There is a magical component to these creatures, which explains why they can lift items that are much weightier than any speck of dust. The Soot Sprites were so appreciated thatthey appear in two of thebest Studio Ghibli films, not just one:My Neighbor TotoroandSpirited Away.
Aside from their adorably round look, the Soot Sprites communicate using sounds rather than human speech, which makes them even cuter. If the inventiveness of their design is not enough to ingratiate themselves with fans, their thoughtfulness and willingness to help others tidy up certainly will.
There are so many otherworldly characters featured inThe Boy and the Heron,including the titular Grey Heron and The Parakeet King, to name a couple. Out of them all, though, the Warawara Mahito encounters while following the Grey Heron stole the show, with their simplistic white orb-shaped designs and joyous smiles.
The Warawara are tangible depictions of human souls, and they are constantly in movement, bouncing and weaving around across the ground and air. They never stay still because they will not be in this lovely state for long, and are on their way to becoming a real living soul in the human world.
Cat lovers in particular will understand why Jiji from theKiki’s Delivery Servicefilmis such a wonderful character. He is a black cat who could be a real-life feline, if it was not for his purple ears. Despite being a sidekick and not the main character, he is delightfully complex.
Jiji can be sassy and sarcastic, which only contributes to how hilariously delightful he is. Since he has a mind of his own and can speak, he becomes more than a mere pet. Eventually, Jiji does stop speaking, because,according to his creator, Hayao Miyazaki, Jiji represents Kiki’s childishness, which faded as she grew older.
Whether he is talking or not, Jiji’s elegant black cat design, mischievous behavior, and zest for life make him one of Ghibli’s most unforgettable icons, and his importance inKiki’s Delivery Servicecannot be overstated.
2Catbus
My Neighbor Totoro’sCatbus set the bar high for Ghibli’s innovative characters, since he is not just darling, his design serves a functional purpose. As his name indicates, he is a blend of a cat and a bus, enabling others in the movie to journey to new destinations with ease.
He boasts one of the most intricate concepts in the entire Studio Ghibli universe, and even the most minuscule parts of his look were given careful consideration. For example, his eyes can light up and cast bright beams like vehicle headlights, and he has seats for passengers inside.
Catbus combines all the cutest elements of cats, like soft fur, expressive eyes, and a cheerful smile, with the useful aspects of a motor vehicle. He is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most creative ideas by far, and without him, Mei, Satsuki, Totoro, and Catbus’s other passengers would not get very far, in a literal and figurative sense.
1Totoro
From My Neighbor Totoro
There is no Studio Ghibli more iconic and easily recognizable than Totoro himself. ConsideringtheMy Neighbor Totoromovieis even named after him, it is no surprise that the creature has such a prominent place in Studio Ghibli’s history. One aspect that makes Totoro incomparable is that he is a species of his own.
Totoro is not a type of pre-existing animal; he is a forest spirit that belongs to a larger group of similar creatures. His beaming smile and round, huggable design make him lovable, both to Mei and Satsuki and to real-life audiences, and his caring personality is the cherry on top that transforms Totoro into a figure worthy of admiration.
Totoro’s impact was so significant thathe even became the official mascot for Studio Ghibli,representing the type of whimsical character the company loves to create. Even people who may have never watched aStudio Ghiblimovie will likely recognize Totoro’s unmistakable silhouette, and find it just as precious as the most avid Ghibli fan does.
