I’ve been a fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films ever since I encountered Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in the anime room at the San Diego Comic-Con back in the ’80s. I especially love how we’re inevitably drawn to his characters, often thinking about them years after we first met them. In this post, let’s explore who our first female Studio Ghibli crush was and rank all the cutest Ghibli characters!
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Who Was Your First Studio Ghibli Crush? Be Honest!
Why are Hayao Miyazaki’s characters so memorable? It’s hard to put a finger on it. They’re all extremely strong, but not in the modern “girlboss” way that’s become a staple of modern Hollywood movies. Each character goes on a journey that’s unique to their situation, and we quickly get invested in seeing whether they’ll succeed. The characters feel human and relatable — even if they’re a princess in a fantasy land — and they stay with us long after the film ends.
Ranking the Cutest Ghibli Characters! Who Is Your Favorite?
Nausicaä was the first character many fans encountered, and she blew us away. I love the combination of her warrior princess strength and her vulnerability during times of difficulty. And I can’t be the only fan to think she wasn’t wearing anything under that tunic!
Next is San from Mononoke Hime, a girl raised by the wolf Moro. At first, she hates humans and fights to protect her friends in the forest, but she slowly has to accept that she is human, too. Did you fall in love with her just a little?
Another top pick for Studio Ghibli waifu is Fio Piccolo. She’s a genius engineer and great at her job. She’s cute, energetic, and has a gorgeous body, unlike anything usually seen in Miyazaki’s works.
Urusula is a fascinating side character from Majo no Takkyubin. She lives in the woods and draws birds. She utters great wisdom, like “Stop trying. Take long walks. Look at scenery. Doze off at noon. Don’t even think about flying. And then, pretty soon, you’ll be flying again.” The character inspired more than a few girls to realize they were lesbians, and she has quite a following in certain corners of the Internet.
More Cute Ghibli Characters! Which One Was Your First Ghibli Waifu?
Lady Eboshi is another powerful Ghibli character. Very similar to Kushana from Nausicaä, her job in the story is to realize the error of her ways regarding man’s relationship with nature.
You’d think after 30 years of watching Ghibli films they wouldn’t affect me so deeply, but you’d be wrong. The Wind Rises is the story of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed some of Japan’s most iconic airplanes, and the love he finds along the way. It’s definitely Miyazaki’s best love story, and even features an (off-camera) sex scene.
Another top Studio Ghibli crush is Gina from Porco Rosso. She’s elegant, stylish, and competent. Was she your first Studio Ghibli waifu?
Another character with a huge amount of sex appeal is Lisa, the mother of Sosuke from Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. She’s a loving and dedicated mother, but frustrated that her husband doesn’t give her more attention.
We don’t get much fan service in Studio Ghibli films, but the brief scene where Shiho is shown undressing stands out. I love how real she feels as she scolds her sister, Shizuku, for losing herself in unrealistic dreams.
Finally, there’s Mina from Robot On The Road. She isn’t actually a Ghibli character, but I fooled you for a moment, didn’t I? I love this short film because it’s so close to Miyazaki’s style that you can almost believe it was animated by him.
Thanks for reading this blog post exploring the cutest Ghibli characters. Which girl was your first Studio Ghibli crush? Who do you still think about today? Tell us in the comments below.
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