The 20 Most Unforgettable Studio Ghibli Characters

When it comes to animated films, no other company does it quite like Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki in 1985. Since then, the prolific studio has released countless animated films that have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. From the occasionally emotionally devastating storylines to the wholesome creativity of its animation, Ghibli films have garnered a much-deserved reputation for being one of the best animation studios out there.

There is a Studio Ghibli film out there for everyone. An iconic trait of a Ghibli film is the utilization of lovable and unique characters as well as paranormal and fantasy elements to drive stories along. Picking from classics like Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away to beloved fan-favorites like Kiki’s Delivery Service and Ponyo, here is our list of the most iconic characters from Studio Ghibli.

20 Ursula – Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

The Right Friend in the Right Place

Kicking things off is everyone’s favorite painter, Ursula. Ursula is a supporting character from the 1989 Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service. Donning our screens in that iconic red tank top and shorts, Ursula is the right friend in the right place, at the right time. Ursula and Kiki cross paths when Kiki looks to retrieve a stuffed cat she dropped while on her broom. The passionate artist ends up being a sort of companion for Kiki when she needs it the most, giving her presence in the vast Ghibli-verse one we won’t forget. Stream Kiki’s Delivery Service on Max.

Related: Studio Ghibli: The Biggest Names in English Dubs, Ranked

19 Setsuko Yokokawa – Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

The Most Devastating Ghibli Film

On a much more pressing matter, we have a character who graces our screen in what could be the most devastating Ghibli film out there. Setsuko Yokokawa is a character from 1988’s Grave of the Fireflies.Grave of the Fireflies is a traumatic watch, to say the least.

However, the impact of Setsuko’s character is what makes it a staple in our minds. Setsuko is the 2-year-old younger sister of Seita and is a constant reminder of the tragedy of the war-torn world of the film. If our hearts are going to constantly ache for a character, it has to be Setsuko.

18 Catbus – My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

The Ghibli Version of the Cheshire Cat

My Neighbor Totoro continues to be one of the most iconic and popular films to come from Studio Ghibli. Catbus, although the appearance brief, surely made an impact. Many of us are familiar with Alice in Wonderland‘s Cheshire Cat.

Well, Catbus is the Ghibli version of that. Catbus appears in the forest to meet Mei, Satsuki, and Totoro. The feline form-transportation, equipped with a sly and mischievous smile became one of the most recognized and beloved pieces of this iconic film. Stream My Neighbor Totoro on Max.

My Neighbor Totoro

Release Date

April 16, 1988

Cast

Noriko Hidaka , Chika Sakamoto , Shigesato Itoi , Sumi Shimamoto , Tanie Kitabayashi , Hitoshi Takagi

Runtime

86

17 Arrietty – The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

A Fantastical World

Studio Ghibli created a fun little world full centered around a borrower named Arrietty. The Secret World of Arrietty follows a 14-year-old borrower who, with her tiny tiny tiny stature, dangerously befriends a human boy named Sho.

For her family, this kind of association could endanger their kind. Arreitty is full of life in a giant, fantastical world. She is bright, curious, and full of wonder. Although the film’s fantasy elements are the attention grabber, Arrietty is the kind of character that gets you to stay. Stream The Secret World of Arrietty on Max.

16 Mahito Maki – The Boy and the Heron (2023)

An Oscar-Winning Film

Although there has not been a lot of time for this one to sit with fans of the studio, there is no way to ignore Mahito. Mahito Maki the main character of Studio Ghibli’s most recent project, The Boy and the Heron. In the film, Mahito is settling into life in the wake of his mother’s death when heron tells him that his mother is alive.

“Coming of age” is a common theme in Studio Ghibli animated films. With Mahito, his serious yet youthful presence is something that really stands out. Mahito is the kind of ordinary yet extraordinary character that audiences will cling to.

15 Princess Mononoke/San – Princess Mononoke (1997)

An Absolute Force

Time to appreciate San, our Princess Mononoke herself! Princess Mononoke came out in 1997 and follows Ashitaka as he goes on a harrowing adventure to acquire a cure for an infection. On his journey, he picks up a companion in San, also known as Princess Mononoke.

Raised by wolves, San is an absolute force to be reckoned with. She is determined to defend her territory and the animals that dwell within it to whatever end. A true leader, protector, and a warrior with unyielding loyalty. Stream Princess Mononoke on Max.

Princess Mononoke

Release Date

July 12, 1997

Cast

Yôji Matsuda , Yuriko Ishida , Yûko Tanaka , Kaoru Kobayashi , Masahiko Nishimura , Tsunehiko Kamijô

Runtime

134

14 Sophie Hatter – Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

She Wins Us Over Quickly

Sophie Hatter is a female protagonist in the Ghibli film Howl’s Moving Castle. Honestly, almost every single character in this beloved film is iconic. Sophie is the eldest of three sisters and is working in her father’s hat shop.

The seemingly quiet and reserved young woman slowly breaks out of her shell to reveal a strong-willed individual looking to hone the mysteries of her own powers. Even after being cursed, becoming an old woman, she still has the capacity to win us over. Stream Howl’s Moving Castle on Max.

Howl’s Moving Castle

Release Date

November 19, 2004

Cast

Chieko Baisho , Takuya Kimura , Akihiro Miwa , Tatsuya Gashûin , Ryûnosuke Kamiki , Mitsunori Isaki

Runtime

118

13 Soot Sprites – My Neighbor Totoro (1988) and Spirited Away (2001)

Fun, Charming, and Marketable

Protagonists this. Villains that. How about just some fun, charming, and marketable characters that make our hearts flutter with joy? The iconic Soot Sprites appear in both My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. The little, fuzzy, black spheres and their googly eyes come around when a space is uninhabited or abandoned.

When new occupants come in, the Soot Sprites assess whether they are nice or not. If they deem that they are, then they’ll leave. These characters are some of the most recognizable symbols of Studio Ghibli’s brand, and we are far from forgetting them. Stream Spirited Away on Max.

Spirited Away

Release Date

July 20, 2001

Cast

Rumi Hîragi , Miyu Irino , Mari Natsuki , Takashi Naitô , Yasuko Sawaguchi , Tatsuya Gashûin

Runtime

125

12 Seita – Grave of the Fireflies (1989)

An Unforgettable Character

Circling back to Grave of the Fireflies, we have to acknowledge Seita. At just 14 years old, Seita becomes the sole caretaker for himself and his baby sister after they are left without their mother as a result of a bombing.

Now, the siblings are forced to survive and keep themselves afloat in the devastating reality of war. Seita is just one unforgettable character in an unforgettable film. His courage, bravery, and tragic storyline is something that audiences and Ghibli fans need to experience at least once.

11 Nausicaä – Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

An Epic Hero

Before the founding of Studio Ghibli in 1985, what can be the first film in this comapny’s filmography is the 1984 animated sci-fi fantasy film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. The film follows Nausicaä living in a futuristic apocalypse where humans are forced to survive the devastation left on the planet.

In true “epic hero” fashion, Princess Nausicaä is set up to be the one to bring peace to them all. Along with being a badass warrior, Nausicaä is brave, loyal, determined, impressively skilled, and intelligent. Stream Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on Max.

Related: The Importance of Female Characters in Hayao Miyazaki’s Films

10 Ponyo – Ponyo (2008)

Irresistibly Adorable

Ponyo has always been one of the most iconic characters Studio Ghibli has ever come up with. Ponyo is a young little goldfish that has big dreams of becoming a human. When Ponyo meets Sosuke, she slowly becomes more and more human until her father forces her back to the ocean kingdom.

Ponyo is one of those characters that goes through incredible development while being irresistibly adorable. Ponyo, one of the most recognizable characters from Studio Ghibli, stars in a great and wholesome film that has you rooting for her every step of the way. Stream Ponyo on Max.

Ponyo

Release Date

July 19, 2008

Cast

Yuria Nara , Hiroki Doi , Jôji Tokoro , Tomoko Yamaguchi , Yûki Amami , Kazushige Nagashima

Runtime

101

9 Jiji – Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Kiki’s Loyal Companion

In this house, we love cats. In the realm of popular cats in films, Jiji is up there. Jiji is the black cat and loyal companion for Kiki in 1989’s Kiki’s Delivery Service.

In the film, a young Kiki is working and training to be a witch. The adorable black cat Jiji acts as a helping hand and a necessary presence on Kiki’s journey. Just by looks alone, Jiji continues to be one of the most iconic and beloved characters in Studio Ghibli’s filmography.

8 Kiki – Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

One of the Best Title Characters

Speaking of Kiki’s Delivery Service, Jiji is not the only one to come out of this an icon. The film’s title character Kiki stands out in her own right.

The 13-year-old girl is fully committed to fully becoming a witch and, in her training, sets up a witch delivery service. Kiki is just an adorable young girl who is strong-willed, determined, bubbly, and full of light and energy. Kiki’s charisma is something that will get you to fall in love with her character in an instant.

7 Calcifer – Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

An Instantly Recognizable Character

With just one look, even those with a less in-depth knowledge of Studio Ghibli films will recognize Calcifer. Calcifer is a character in Howl’s Moving Castle.

As far as demons go, Calcifer is just so cute. Calcifer was once a falling star that fell right into the saving hands of the Wizard Howl. The little flame demon has a bargain with Howl, and he is contained within the castle, utilizing his muffled powers to heat the castle. Calcifer is easy on the eyes, but his demon nature makes him not the most trustworthy creature around.

6 Princess Kaguya – The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

The Most Unique Film from the Studio

Princess Kaguya comes from one of the most unique animated films from Studio Ghibli. Princess Kaguya came out in 2013, and we have not gotten over it yet. The title character, Princess Kaguya, was born from a glowing bamboo shoot. The now young woman is presented with her Princess title, fitting for the daughter of the King of the Moon.

Kaguya is just a girl who longs for a life of freedom from the rules and expectations that come with being a lady. She is energetic, hopeful, and thoroughly relatable. Stream The Tale of the Princess Kaguya on Max.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Release Date

November 23, 2013

Cast

Aki Asakura , Yukiji Asaoka , Takeo Chii , Isao Hashizume , Hikaru Ijûin , Takaya Kamikawa

Runtime

137

5 Marco Pagot/Porco Rosso – Porco Rosso (1992)

A Focus on Shame and Guilt

1992’s Porco Rosso follows a former flyer from World War I named Marco Pagot/Porco Rosso who is the brave soul to go up against the sky pirates. Slight catch, he weirdly transformed into a pig. Unlike a lot of other Ghibli films, Porco Rosso is centered around a man who, despite his unyielding bravery, continues to carry around an immense amount of shame and guilt.

Although Studio Ghibli is infamous for its incredible coming-of-age stories, Proco Rosso’s character development as a man/pig is something to behold. Stream Porco Rosso on Max.

4 Howl Pendragon – Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

A Multi-Layered Protagonist

Howl Pendragon is a “standing ovation” character if we’ve ever seen one. The apple of our eye. From Howl’s Moving Castle, the wizard Howl is a recluse. One of the most powerful wizards out there, Howl travels to Ingary and establishes a reputation for himself, spreading rumors about himself in order to be left alone in solitude in his flying castle.

Howl, like any main protagonist should, has many layers to his dynamic personality, both good and bad. Howl has a very infectious sense of natural charisma that is bound to win over anyone who watches the film.

3 No-Face – Spirited Away (2001)

A Terrifying Character

Characters that define an entire franchise are difficult to come across. However, look no further than No-Face. No-Face is a character from Studio Ghibli’s 2001 fantasy adventure film Spirited Away.

No-Face is easily one of the most recognizable and iconic animated characters of all time. He possesses the power to eat people and acquire their personality and their looks. No-Face attaches himself as a kind of shadow to Chihiro in the hope of becoming something more than the lonely spirit he was.

2 Totoro – My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

The Most Recognizable Ghibli Character

Totoro is the most recognizable, marketable, and lovable character in Studio Ghibli. The unique and simple creature comes from My Neighbor Totoro and is utilized as branding for Studio Ghibli. The big, lovable ball of gray fur is such a comforting character to hold onto in the entire Studio Ghibli universe.

From the scrumptious design of this character to that iconic leaf umbrella, Totoro has grown beyond the confines of his film and has become an icon in the animated film world. Even if you do not know Studio Ghibli, you will recognize Totoro.

1 Chihiro Ogino – Spirited Away (2001)

An Oscar-Winning Coming-of-Age Tale

At the top of our list has to be the main character of the Academy Award-winning film Spirited Away. Spirited Away follows a young girl and her parents as they come across an abandoned amusement park. However, not all is as it seems to be, and the young Chihiro is forced to free her parents from a curse that turned them into giant pigs.

Chihiro is one of the most beloved characters in the company’s plethora of films. The young girl undergoes such a beautiful and artistic coming-of-age story arc that was worthy of any and all accolades. She is forced to tap into her own bravery as she grows up before our very eyes, whether it be fate or just out of necessity. Picking a Studio Ghibli icon to make the top of this list was difficult, but there is no doubt that Chirhiro is the one to beat.