Studio Ghiblimovies are enjoyed not only because of their plots but also because of their amazing world-building. The settings complement the main plot and also make the audience feel immersed while watching them. A lot of films focus on the theme of nature and its beauty and deliver an impactful message about protecting it.
Movies like Spirited Away and The Boy And The Heron are truly magical. We find several magical beings in Studio Ghibli movies that co-exist with their worlds. The unique world design in Studio Ghibli movies also contributes significantly to the Fantasy genre.
8Totoro’s World
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro is a feel-good anime movie that is free of any wars or conflicts. Most of the movie takes place in a natural environment where the two sisters have fun with Totoro and his other friends, who are also magical beings. Their adventures will make you feel joyful on the gloomiest of days.
Mai and Satsuki’s house, which is situated around greenery, was also a perfect setting to cure their mother’s illness. Around these lands, the Nekobus travels quickly, and the siblings have fun riding it, enjoying the surrounding views.
7The Forest
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is about the conflict between nature and humans and theworld-building of the animemovie highlights it well. The forest has many mythical beings that also go haywire if the peace is disturbed.
San, who is also known as the Wolf Princess, is deeply connected to the forest as she was raised by the wolves. Other notable creatures are The Kodama which are glowing white creatures that are born by older trees that are also connected to the forest spirit. The Forest Spirit itself manifests as a monster to protect the forest from selfish humans.
6Arrietty’s Secret World
The Secret World Of Arrietty
Arrietty is Studio Ghibli’s version of Thumbelina, but instead, it features several small people who have made themselves home in Sho’s home. If you are someone who loves flowers, you will love the floral setting of the movie.
For these tiny people, everything around the world seems big, including the petals, the dews on the leaves, and the toadstools. They are called the borrowers, and they borrow things from the household they live in to survive. Unfortunately, that also means that they have to fight hazards including insects or an angry maid.
5The Sea
Ponyo
Ponyo is a goldfish that resides in the seas, but she wishes to be a human. She spent a great amount of time in the deep living alongside other fish. Studio Ghibli’s excellent animation and details in designing the sea world made the movie captivating to watch.
Ponyo is also shown using the creatures in the seas, such as the jellyfish, to escape from her father. Ponyo’s mother Granmamare is also very beautiful and can also freely change her figure. Many of Ponyo’s sisters, who appear to be her twins, reside in the waters alongside her.
4Tower World
The Boy And The Heron
The Boy And The Heron is a modernStudio Ghibli filmwhich is a factor in its amazing animation quality that adds to the world design. Mahito lost her mother as a child but in this parallel world behind a tree, he found a young version of her chased by the parakeets.
These parakeets are giants in this world and their King wants control over this realm from Mahito’s uncle. Mahito also visits a Sea World in the movie where he meets the Warawara which are cute creatures that are actually the souls of unborn human children.
3Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle
The Moving Castle is Howl’s home which Sophie found in the middle of her journey when she was turned into an old woman. It was in a dirtier state but Sophie took charge to clean it and make it as good as new.
The Moving Castle can be moved anywhere by Howl if the need arises. Howl doesn’t like conflict, and he uses this as a means to escape the war waged by humans. It looks like a huge mansion with some legs that keep it always on the move.
2The Spirit Realm
Spirited Away
Spirited Away is a highly acclaimed Studio Ghibli movie, and that’snot only for its captivating storybut its excellent world design as well. The young Chihiro and her parents found themselves in the Spirit Realm after breaking a few rules in the real world.
The Spirit Realm is a parallel dimension to the real world and many mysterious creatures call it home. The most notable location here is the bathhouse, which was designed with Japanese Architecture in mind.
1Laputa
Castle In The Sky
Laputa is the lost kingdom in the sky that Muska wanted to find all any cost. This ancient nation was once a technological marvel, as shown by debris of advanced technology lying around the area. you’re able to also see the powerful robots they created that were found to be covered in grass and mud.
Nature overtook most of Laputa, as it’s now covered in plants and greenery. The view of the island in the sky is breathtaking, but unfortunately, it needed to be destroyed so people like Muska couldn’t misuse its technology. As it disintegrated, all technology was destroyed which was allegedly going to be used in wars.
