The best Studio Ghibli’s films almost always feature memorable female characters. These well-rounded women often leave a lasting impact on fans thanks to the work that goes into each character’s story. What makes Hayao Miyazaki’s female characters so unforgettable are their personalities that evolve through their journey in each film.
Miyazaki himself has commented about the female characters in his movies, as recounted by Dazed: "Many of my movies have strong female leads – brave, self-sufficient girls that don’t think twice about fighting for what they believe in with all their heart." He goes on to explain that while these characters may need friends or ers, they never need saviors, as they are just as (and often more) capable as any man. These vibrant, strong women in Ghibli films face unusual, often magical circumstances with courage and persistence.
Satsuki - My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
In one of the more popular Ghibli films, My Neighbor Totoro, Satsuki plays the role of a responsible older sister to the four-year-old troublemaker, Mei. Despite being only 11 years old, she has to think and act like an adult for Mei, who has no one else to lean on.
With their mother in the hospital and their father constantly away for work, the relatable siblings teach each other a thing or two about balancing responsibility and adventure. Viewers find it easier to empathize with Satsuki after they figure out that her annoyance with Mei only stems from the pressure she feels to be a perfect big sister. Thanks to Totoro, one of the most adorable Ghibli creatures from the movies, Satsuki eventually learns to have fun and embrace her childhood.
Haru - The Cat Returns (2002)
Haru is the main protagonist in the underrated Ghibli film, The Cat Returns. The teenager starts out as a clumsy, awkward figure who is often bullied in school. Her kindhearted nature shines through, though, when she rescues a cat from getting run over by a truck. Thanks to her ability to talk to the felines, she’s whisked away to the Cat Kingdom and has the wildest adventure of her life.
What makes Haru such a compelling heroine is how clearly audiences can see her change throughout the film. She's transformed from an awkward, clumsy girl into a confident woman, thanks to the brave choices she makes to escape the Cat Kingdom and return to her world.
Nausicaa - Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984)
Playing the role of the princess in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Nausicaa is a courageous and kindhearted character, always striving to help those around her. In the film, the princess tries to find a cure for the deadly miasma coming from the Toxic Jungle in an effort to save both her people and the environment.
Nausicaa is one of the most likable Studio Ghibli characters, and it’s easy to see why. Her power comes not just from physical strength, but from kindness and intellect. Despite the countless times seeing countless just how evil humanity can be, she remains determined to help them and revive the forest that they’ve ignored for too long.
Sheeta - Castle In The Sky (1986)
Most viewers likely don’t expect much from Sheeta when she appears for the first time in Castle in the Sky, but the events in the story reveal her to be one of the most important heroines in Ghibli films. The rightful ruler of Laputa lives up to her title, as she bravely goes against the intimidating Colonel Muska.
Like a lot of Ghibli heroines, Sheeta emphasizes how a ruler’s most important asset is comion. In one of the most powerful scenes in the movie, Sheeta tells Muska that it doesn’t matter how many weapons or technological marvels he collects if he doesn’t have love.
Kiki - Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
A determined Kiki in Kiki’s Delivery Service sets out on a new adventure – working to deliver goods for a local bakery. This hardly seems like an exciting role for a witch, but the ordinariness of her struggles is relatable for audiences who grow to love the young girl.
Kiki’s struggle for acceptance and purpose is all too familiar for viewers who experience those problems in their lives. The protagonist’s effort to muster up all her strength to simply get up for work is a common battle in any home. While it might not be the most profound story, it’s moving enough for fans who understand what it’s like to deal with the same adversities that Kiki overcomes in the film.
Anna - When Marnie Was There (2014)
The main protagonist in When Marnie Was There is not the easiest to understand, that is unless viewers take a closer look at her background. Painfully shy, insecure, and awkward, Anna has learned from her past experiences that the best way to shield herself from pain is to push people away.
This is what makes her journey even more rewarding for fans who stick around to see one of the most emotional endings in Ghibli movies. Her relationship with the mysterious Marnie changes her view of the world and her new perspective leaves audiences thinking that it’s not impossible to break free from their past and depression, too.
Chihiro - Spirited Away (2001)
Chihiro, more often referred to as Sen in the film Spirited Away, starts out as a typical self-centered, immature child until she enters the Spirit World. Here, she meets hundreds of magical creatures, ranging from adorable to downright terrifying.
In this popular Ghibli film, audiences grow to love Chihiro as she transforms from a petulant and scared kid to a brave girl who will do anything for her friends and family. In the process, she learns to appreciate the world and gains a deeper understanding of her own role in caring for it.
Shizuku - Whisper Of The Heart (1995)
Shizuku isn’t a typical heroine who goes out and saves humanity, but this doesn’t mean that her role in Whisper of the Heart wasn’t remarkable. As a young girl who is unsure of her place in the world and just trying her best to pursue her ions, Shizuku is a relatable character who deals with struggles that fans have likely experienced in real life.
Her dreams and her ion to achieve them, as well as her struggles along the way, are all too real for viewers who know what it’s like to want to excel at something so badly. Throughout the film, it becomes difficult not to cheer for Shizuku during her triumphs and also cry with her in her darkest moments.
Sophie - Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Studio Ghibli’s highest-grossing movies, which isn’t surprising, given how it features the iconic heroine, Sophie. She starts out as a plain woman who spends too much time obsessing over beauty. But after a curse turns her into an old woman, she goes on an exciting adventure of self-discovery, with the events going on around her only serving as a backdrop to this transformation.
Sophie’s curse turns out to be the best thing to ever happen to her, as it’s in the body of an old woman that she truly learns to love herself. She slowly lets go of her feelings of inferiority and moves past any societal standards she thought she had to conform to. In the end, Sophie becomes the most beautiful, best version of herself, free to slay monsters and end wars in a world she’s no longer afraid of.
San - Princess Mononoke (1997)
After being adopted by wolves when she was only a child, San grew up thinking she was more wolf than human. As one of the main protagonists in Princess Mononoke, her deep hatred for humans is shown over and over again in the film. She does everything she can, no matter how brutal, to keep people out of the forest.
Thanks to her relationship with the human, Ashitaka, San eventually shows that there is still some humanity left behind her tough exterior. She never fully embraces this human side, which is part of what makes her story so compelling. Her story arc shows that even the most pessimistic "monsters" among humans can be redeemed with a bit of comion and love.
