From Spirited Away to Princess Mononoke, Studio Ghibli movies are full of quotes as inspirational and whimsical as the animated movies themselves.

Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli has crafted a wonderfully varied collection of movies since its founding in 1985. The films are famous for their imaginative flair, and for showing the world as a whimsical and wondrous yet still complex place. Many of the films feature female protagonists and delve into a magical realism inspired both by literature and Japan's Shinto roots.

Tucked away in these movies is a lot of wisdom. Common themes in Ghibli include feminism, love, pacifism, family, and environmentalism. These are big topics, but they permeate every one of the studio's worlds and are reinforced by the conversations of the movies' characters.

Updated on June 8, 2022 by Stacie Rook: Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live? is currently being made at Studio Ghibli, taking inspiration from the book of the same name by Yoshino Genzaburo, a childhood favorite of Miyazaki's. Meanwhile, fans have gained their own inspiration from these Studio Ghibli quotes.

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) On Inspiration

"We Each Need To Find Our Own Inspiration. Sometimes That's Not Easy."

While Kiki's story in Kiki's Delivery Service is, at its most basic, a coming-of-age narrative, another of the movie's major themes focuses on creativity and passions. For Kiki, this is flying, but the movie also explores other interests, from Ursula's life as an artist to Osono and her husband's bakery business.

Whatever her passions may be, Ursula reminds Kiki that it's important to know why she's pursuing them, and that this task is ultimately up to the individual. Although inspirations can change, seeking them out can be a vital part of the creative process.

The Secret World Of Arrietty (2010) On Strength And Love

"My Heart Is Stronger Now That You're In It."

The Secret World of Arrietty sees its titular protagonist navigating the balance between being independent and keeping a strong support system of loved ones around her to help when times get hard.

Arrietty the Borrower is an adventurous girl, and her curiosity leads her to form a friendship with the human Shō. At the same time, though, this connection puts her family — for whom she cares deeply — at risk. This quote solidifies the bond between the new friends, but it also applies to the love Arrietty feels more generally.

Ponyo (2008) On Loving People For Who They Are

"I Love Ponyo Whether She's A Fish, A Human, Or Something In Between."

Ponyo is about a young goldfish princess who wishes to become human, and Sōsuke, the human boy she befriends after her wish is temporarily granted. Alas, not all is smooth sailing for the pair.

Sōsuke verbalizes the unconditional love he has grown to feel for Ponyo, which is indicative not only of their wholesome and strong connection but also the larger themes of identity that the movie tackles.

The Cat Returns (2002) On The Power Of Creativity

"Whenever Someone Creates Something With All Of Their Heart, Then That Creation Is Given A Soul."

The Cat Returns is a movie that shows how a creator's works can have a transformative power, and the Baron summarizes that message. The Baron plays a central role in the movie, helping protagonist Haru in her journey to the Cat Kingdom, and it's down to the loving craftsmanship of his creator that he's able to do so.

On a more meta level, this quote could also reference the Baron's debut appearance as a Studio Ghibli side character in Whisper of the Heart, and how the love he received from fans led to The Cat Returns being made, bringing the Baron to life once more.

Castle In The Sky (1986) On Love Persisting

"No Matter How Many Weapons You Have, No Matter How Great Your Technology Might Be, The World Cannot Live Without Love."

The main plot of Castle in the Sky concerns the lost floating city of Laputa, a place full of powerful lost technology which both the movie's heroes and antagonists wish to find, though their motives greatly differ.

The film's heroine, Sheeta proves she couldn't be more different from Colonel Muska, the story's villain. Muska wishes to use Laputa's resources selfishly and destructively, but Sheeta understands the futility of this idea, and values human connection above any power she could wield.

The Secret World Of Arrietty (2010) On Having A Cause

"Sometimes You Have To Fight For The Things That Are Worth Fighting For.”

The family of Borrowers in The Secret World of Arrietty are very close to one another, so when danger threatens them, Arrietty is quick to act, even more so because she feels that their fraught position is her fault after she's taken risks around humans.

Arrietty shows her bravery and determination in the face of emergency, proving that though by nature she is a peaceful person with strong morals, she is willing to fight to protect her family and friends when the occasion calls for it.

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) On Strength In Hard Times

“They Say That The Best Blaze Burns Brightest When Circumstances Are At Their Worst.”

Based on the book of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, some Howl's Movie Castle scenes were impossible to adapt, but they still capture the novel's message of courage. The movie follows Sophie, a young woman who is cursed to be an old woman, and in looking for a cure ends up working for a mysterious wizard named Howl.

Sophie stands her ground against the fire demon Calicfer when he doubts his abilities, and demonstrates her kindness, as well as her keen insight and ability to motivate those around her.

The Cat Returns (2002) On Self-Belief

"Always Believe In Yourself. Do This And No Matter Where You Are, You Will Have Nothing To Fear.”

In The Cat Returns, the Baron, has an important role in the story, acting as both protector and mentor to heroine Haru as she finds her feet. At the movie's outset, Haru is a shy yet kind girl who lacks confidence, but her unexpected adventure in the Cat Kingdom changes that.

In this mysterious other realm, Haru has to advocate for herself, and though she has allies who help her she gradually learns to express her own desires, gaining a sense of self-confidence that she takes back with her to her homeland.

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) On Appearances

"It Doesn’t Really Matter What Color Your Dress Is. What Matters Is The Heart Inside.”

The new town that witch-in-training Kiki chooses to move to in Kiki's Delivery Service comes with many new opportunities, but also its own set of challenges. For the first time, Kiki finds herself surrounded by strangers who aren't used to witches, leaving her feeling self-conscious.

This quote, spoken by Kiki's mother before Kiki first leaves home, follows a conversation the two have about witches traditions, and foreshadows Kiki's later insecurities. Though her dress makes her stand out, she learns to be more confident as the movie goes on, and makes lovely new friends like Tombo, one of Kiki's Delivery Service's best characters, who values her uniqueness.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) On Nature And Humankind

"Magnificent Tree. It's Been Around Since Long Ago, Back In The Time When People And Trees Used To Be Friends."

My Neighbor Totoro is a joyful movie that shows the wonder of the countryside and a simple lifestyle from the perspective of its young protagonists, sisters Mei and Satsuki, while also exploring one of Studio Ghibli's recurring themes, environmentalism.

Mei and Satsuki's father Tatsuo speaks about the enormous tree where Totoro lives, and it's through the family's respect for nature that they're able to connect with the great woodland spirit. 

Princess Mononoke (1997) On Persistence

"Life Is Suffering. It Is Hard. The World Is Cursed, But Still You Find Reasons To Keep On Living.”

One of Studio Ghibli's more mature films that highlights environmentalism and pacifism, using Princess Mononoke uses characters with mythological origins to enforce its message.  The story sees the forest and the world of humans at odds due to the latter's greed.

Princess Mononoke tells its story in a way that represents both sides as complex. This quote comes from a minor character, a human man named Osa who suffers from leprosy. It demonstrates the desperation at the heart of the movie's central conflict, and how fear has pushed both sides to act recklessly.

Spirited Away (2001) On Lasting Impressions

"Once You've Met Someone, You Never Really Forget Them."

Spirited Away is one of Studio Ghibli's most well-known films. It follows a young girl, Chihiro, who gets trapped in the land of spirits and must find a way to return herself and her captured parents home.

Names and memory are very important in Spirited Away. Bathhouse ruler Yubaba captures the names of her workers in order to control them, which can lead to them having memory loss. Yubaba's kind twin sister, Zeniba, helps embolden Chihiro in her quest, pushing her to always remember her true self, and help others like Haku to do the same.

My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999) On Community

“Life, As They Say, Has Its Ups And Downs. At Times, The Waves May Taunt You, Tossing You In Their Swells. But Take Heart. It’s Hard To Stick With It And Make It On Your Own. But Even A Couple Of Losers Can Survive Most Things If They’re Together.”

My Neighbors the Yamadas is one of Ghibli's lesser-known projects and has a unique animation style that's styled like a comic strip. The story is non-linear, detailing a series of moments in the life of the Yamada family, each of which is explored with good humor.

Even though it doesn't have a singular narrative, the main message of the movie can be found in this quote, which shows the value of being surrounded by loving and like-minded people who will support one another in all of their endeavors.

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) On New Opportunities

“It’s Funny How You Wake Up Each Day And Never Really Know If It’ll Be One That Will Change Your Life Forever.”

The uncertainty that Arrietty and her family live with day to day in The Secret World of Arrietty is one of their only constants, and though it can sometimes bring them stress and worry, it can also be a source of excitement, particularly for the film's protagonist.

This mentality helps Arrietty to face all of the unknowable changes that life can bring with a sense of optimism and bravery, letting her view each day as a new opportunity for adventure.

Tales From Earthsea (2006) On The Realities Of Living

"Deny Death, And You Deny Life."

Although Tales from Earthsea is known as one of Studio Ghibli's least popular releases, there are still moments of insight to be found within its story, even as it dramatically deviated from its source material, the Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin.

The balance between life and death, for example, is a major theme in the fantasy movie, and this quote shows that by ignoring one, the other cannot fully be understood or appreciated.

NEXT: 15 Great Animated Movies That Aren't Disney Or Studio Ghibli