About “Studio Ghibli” in a few words:

The film is an emotional rollercoaster that interweaves the tales of multiple Ghibli characters as they navigate through the trials of their individual stories. Set against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes and iconic imagery, viewers are taken on a journey of self-discovery, love, and the age-old battle between good and evil. This movie not only pays tribute to the classic Ghibli characters but also introduces new ones, creating a seamless blend of the old and the new.

Meet the characters from Studio Ghibli

Totoro

Okay, Totoro is basically the ultimate giant fluff guardian and I will fight anyone who says otherwise — huge, soft, kind of ambiguous in age (ancient spirit? very old grandpa? also kinda like a kid who naps a lot), and he shows up with an umbrella like “hello” and changes your whole day. He doesn’t talk much (or at all? I can never remember) but his presence is louder than words — comforting, a little mysterious, full of quiet power. He’s playful — leaf on his head, spores of soot sprites, maybe hoards acorns — and somehow both terrifyingly massive and totally cuddly in the same breath. Also please note: he is shockingly proud of small things, will nap in tree hollows, and might be secretly judging your life choices while offering you a ride on the Catbus.

Chihiro (Spirited Away)

Chihiro starts off totally freaked out (who wouldn’t be?) and then turns into this relentless, stubborn, surprisingly practical hero who figures stuff out by sheer will and a kind of awkward politeness. She’s brave but not a cape-and-sword type — more like grit, empathy, and a memory that refuses to let go, even when spirits try to make her forget. Works at a weird bathhouse, learns to stand up for herself, and somehow keeps caring for others even when she’s exhausted and secretly terrified. Oh and tiny detail: she probably hoards tiny trinkets from the spirit world and bites her lip when she’s thinking, I swear.

Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle)

Howl is dramatic, gorgeous, slightly irresponsible and completely magical — a showy, flamboyant wizard who is both a big baby and a genius at the same time (yes both). He’s vain about his looks and his hair like some medieval rock star, but also deeply tender and genuinely scared of losing himself, which makes him weirdly sympathetic despite all the preening. The moving castle is basically his mood ring — chaotic, beautiful clutter, alive and a little smelly, with his heart-in-a-jar situation that is both literal and metaphorical (yikes, emotional!). Also he has weird eating habits sometimes (pasta obsession? late-night snacks?) and keeps switching personalities like hats, but when it matters he can be utterly, stubbornly protective.

San (Princess Mononoke)

San is a total force of nature — fierce, furious, and heartbreaking all at once; raised by wolves, she’s part human, part wild spirit in temperament and will literally tear you down if you mess with the forest. She hates humans for what they do but isn’t a cartoon villain: she’s moral, proud, full of grief, and occasionally soft around one particular cursed prince (don’t pretend you didn’t notice). Her war paint and mask make her look like a storm personified, but she also has tiny moments of care (searching for wildflowers? humming? don’t quote me), so she’s complicated in the best way. Little contradiction: she’s both a loner who hates company and someone who will risk everything to protect the pack — very stubborn, very loyal.

Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service)

Kiki feels like a sunbeam who occasionally forgets she’s a sunbeam — young, excitable, punchy with ambition and terrible at adulting for like, two months, and also impossibly earnest. She’s practical (delivery routes, broom skills), creative (advertising with a chalkboard, learning to bake or cook weird things) and has that whole teenage panic about losing her spark — which is honestly relatable and kind of adorable. Her relationship with Jiji (sassy cat) is the best: snarky, dependable, and very dramatic depending on which dub you remember — Jiji’s tone alone can change the whole scene. She’s scatterbrained sometimes (misses appointments) but also organized enough to run a small business, which is peak chaotic competence.