One of the best things about Studio Ghibli is that they often put girls at the center of the action. Their female characters are strong, willful, and interesting individuals who have exciting adventures and usually end up saving the day. So, let’s take a look at Ghibli’s greatest heroines right now.
San – Princess Mononoke
San is arguably the strongest of all the Ghibli heroines. Raised by wolves, she is arguably more wolf than human, which makes her strong, but it is her heart and her willingness to do whatever it takes to protect the forest that she loves so much that makes her a true heroine.
Chihiro – Spirited Away
When you watch Spirited Away, you cannot help but fall in love with Chihiro. She finds herself in the spirit world, where she learns a lot of lessons about bravery, caring for others, and ultimately how to grow up. She faces many monsters head-on and by the end of the movie, you can’t help but root for her.
Sheeta – Castle In The Sky
When Castle in the Sky begins, we are given the impression that Sheeta is a rather meek girl. However, she proves that she is anything but that when she stands up to Colonel Muska and shows us all the importance of compassion, which is more powerful than any weapon man can wield. Sheeta truly is an inspiration.
Sophie – Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle is one of Ghibli’s highest-grossing films and that is undoubtedly due, in no small part, to the character of Sophie. An ordinary woman, who ultimately ends up doing extraordinary things when she is turned into an old woman by a cruel curse which leads her on a journey of self-discovery that shows her, and us, that there is no such thing as an ordinary woman after all.
Shizuku – Whisper Of The Heart
Shizuku might not see the world or even change it in a big way, but that does not mean she is not one of Studio Ghibli’s greatest heroines. One of the most relatable characters in the Ghibli universe, she shows us how important it is to go after the things you want in life, no matter how much you struggle to achieve them, which is about as inspirational as it gets really. We laugh and cry with her and understand how she feels which is why she inspires us. She truly is a great heroine, just one who is rooted in real life.
Kiki – Kiki’s Delivery Service
Everyone’s favorite witch, Kiki struggles to be accepted, but ultimately embraces herself warts and all, and if that is not an inspiration to us all, then I really don’t know what is. Her story may be simple, but often in life, it is the simple things that trouble us most.
Who is your favorite heroine from the Studio Ghibli universe?
