the ladies of studio ghibli

Lately, everyone’s been talking about Studio Ghibli. The eminent director and founder of the Japanese animation studio, Hayao Miyazaki, has had such influence on the world of cartoons that The Simpsons created an unsettling tribute to his films.

With the imminent release of Miyazaki’s final feature film, The Wind Rises, on Feb 27, it seems appropriate to reflect on my favourite female protagonists of these magical films. As the antithesis to the Disney characters that we all grew up with – including the impossibly beautiful, frustratingly passive princesses who must be saved by their princes, and all the other cringe-worthy gender, racial, and class stereotypes – Studio Ghibli films often challenge conventions, as well as the typical fairytale narrative.  Many would merely shrug these films off as ‘delightful’ children’s films (and delightful they are). However, there are often darker, underlying messages about the cruelty of humanity and their inherent disrespect for the environment and each other.

More interestingly for a male animation director, in Miyazaki’s world princesses are strong, liberated characters who are at the forefront of saving their kingdoms. As observed by Hanna White of Bitch Magazine, nine out of Miyazaki’s 13 feature films contain a central female protagonist – a mesmerising fact that should not be brushed aside considering the depressing statistics surrounding gender inequality in the film industry. Moreover, the female characters of Miyazaki’s films always manage to upheave the traditional western role of the animated female character, rendering his films somewhat unconventional and utterly feminist.

spirited away: chihiro ogino

Chihiro is an average 11-year-old girl who accidentally stumbles across what appears to be a local fair while in the countryside with her parents. However, as in all Miyazaki films, things soon go awry when it is prevalent they have mingled with the spirit world. Chihiro’s parents are confronted with evil magic and are turned into pigs by an old witch, Yubaba. Much to her devastation, Chihiro becomes trapped in this surreal magical world – the only way she can escape this nightmare is to work in Yubaba’s bathhouse. To do so she must forfeit her name to the witch and become known only as ‘Sen’. However, in order to leave the spirit world, Chihiro must not forget her true identity. By befriending a young boy and bathhouse worker Haku, she manages to break her curse. Chihiro is brave for her young age, and it is her clever instincts that help her back to her past life.

princess mononoke: san

San, a.k.a. the ‘wolf girl’ or ‘Princess Mononoke’ (which translates as princess of the spirits), is a controversial character. San was originally an orphan, until she was taken in by the wolf gods of the forest and made their daughter. Subsequently she has been bred to loathe all of humankind for their selfish and environmentally destructive ways. However, when she meets Ashitaka, a former prince who is battling with a wound from a fight with a forest demon, she is forced to see past his humanity. Ashitaka is torn between protecting the forest and the humans living on its border, a plight which forces San to realise her own true physical humanity in order to save her forest. San doesn’t take any crap from anyone – she is a true warrior who is unafraid to stand up for what she believes him. Although she is undoubtedly violent, she is fiercely loyal, and even when there is a glimmer of romance between her and Ashitaka, she sacrifices it to forever protect her home.

kiki’s delivery service: kiki

Kiki is one fearless and independent 13-year-old. As part of her development into witchhood she must spend one year living on her own. However, Kiki is still lacking in confidence when it comes to exerting her magic powers, so to try and pay her way, she works in a bakery.  The perks of being a super cool witch means she gets to fly about on a broomstick with her extremely articulate cat Jiji, delivering bakery goods to the most bizarre and sometimes dangerous of places. Toting a big red bow in her hair and somehow managing to keep the aviation-mad boy Tombo at arm’s length, Kiki is a fine female example to all young witches out there – even if she could use a trip to Hogwarts for some fine-tuning.

howl’s moving castle: sophie

Sophie is a modest and humble young woman who works in her family’s hat shop. One day she gets on the wrong side of the Witch of the West, who is jealous that the handsome wizard Howl has shown interest in Sophie. The Witch casts a spell that leaves her looking like an old, grey woman. Ashamed and horrified at her new appearance, Sophie flees her home before anyone can see her. She ends up seeking shelter in Howl’s castle, where she becomes a kind of kitchen maid. Although one of the less assertive and more passive Miyazaki characters, Sophie becomes – as she puts it – more ‘cunning’ in her old age. Her caring nature and newly found wisdom help her to woo the elusive and tortured Howl. Sophie is the classic Miyazaki protagonist: she is swept away on a life-changing journey and manages to make it in the face of adversity, while simultaneously meeting many quirky characters along the way.

nausicaa of the valley of the wind: princess nausicaa

Many of Miyazaki’s films explore themes of environmental devastation, and Nausicaa is a prime example. Princess Nausicaa lives in a post- apocalyptic world, where human civilization is teetering on the edge of extinction. They live in fear of attacks from the humungous Ohmu insects, as well as the toxic jungle they are surrounded by.  Nausicaa is another independent young woman who is a true leader – subsequent to her father’s illness and eventual death she has become extremely capable of helping run her land, the Valley of the Wind. Nausicaa gets to fly an awesome hang glider-style machine around, toting her small ferocious cat-like pet Teto on her shoulder. When war comes to her home, she remains calm and compassionate, still intent on saving those who have wronged her. She is also one of the only humans who treat the giant insects as equals, preferring a peaceful approach to fire-throwing weapons.