Unpacking the magic—Hayao Miyazaki’s art and the Studio Ghibli aesthetic

Imagine a world where whimsical creatures soar through the skies, lush landscapes teem with hidden wonders, and stories unfold with a delicate balance of magic and reality. This is the world of Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. At the heart of this enchanting universe lies the artistic genius of Hayao Miyazaki, a master storyteller and visual artist whose work has redefined the possibilities of animation.

This article delves into the captivating artistry of Hayao Miyazaki and explores the signature Studio Ghibli aesthetic. We’ll uncover the key elements that make these animations so visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and enduringly popular, from the intricate details of hand-drawn animation to the evocative use of color and light. Prepare to be transported to a world of wonder and imagination as we unpack the magic that makes Studio Ghibli a timeless treasure.

A masterpiece of cinematography, Spirited Away follows the story of ten-year-old Chihiro, who moves to a new neighborhood and ends up in the world of mysterious, magical creatures, where she finds work at a fantastical bathhouse.

The movie is filled with creatures inspired by Japanese folklore and Shinto iconography, with vibrant characters like No-Face, Yubaba, Haku, The Radish Spirit, Kamaji, and the soot sprites shining against the bathhouse backdrop.

The beauty of the bathhouse’s hustle and bustle, shown in browns and neutrals, complements the extravagant penthouse floor, shown in maximalist jewel tones. The serenity of the surrounding landscape contrasts with large open spaces and bright natural colors, creating a sense of relief for the viewer when these scenes arrive. Known for his environmental themes, Miyazaki warns of over-consumption and greed through delicious-looking food that serves as a visual warning of consequences to come.

The perfect balance of maximalism in neutral and jewel tones and serene, peaceful landscapes create a well-rounded world in which these characters come alive. 

With themes of childhood resilience, balance between nature and civilization, and powerful imagination, My Neighbor Totoro emphasizes the importance of family and community. In this movie, Satsuki and her younger sister, Mei, move to the country with their father to wait for their mother to get better at a nearby hospital. As they explore their new neighborhood, they make friends with the spirits of their house and the nearby forest.

A vast array of vivid greens helps to emphasize the moods of the forest and the surrounding landscape, shining a light on the joy and peacefulness of country living while also guiding the viewer through the darker arcs of the story. A harmony of lush greens, clear blues, and illuminated sunset hues is a near constant throughout the film, speaking to the theme of a tranquil coexistence for the two sisters in the country. A wash of muddy greens and grey-tinged browns appear at times of trepidation and unease.

All through the film, our two main characters stand out in their daily wear of yellow, orange, white, and pink. If you’re a fan of this iconic character, don’t miss the chance to learn How to draw Totoro in Illustrator.

Relatively few scenes take place in human-made structures. With settings favoring the natural world, the forest itself feels like a living, breathing character centralized around an ancient camphor tree. This tree provides a home for the totoros and other spirits of the forest, such as fan-favorite soot sprites and the Catbus.

Visual symbols such as acorns, magnificent trees, and wildflowers represent the untamed, mystical wilderness surrounding civilization. Books, rice paddies, and comfortable home clutter represent the sensible, man-made world. 

In this jaw-droppingly beautiful film, scenes of intricate machinery and rolling hills take over the screen in a story that warns of the dangers of building a society too reliant on advanced technology. Sheeta, a young orphan, meets fellow orphan Pazu, who helps her run from government secret agents, the army, and pirates, all of whom want her unique power to find the floating city of Laputa, whose halls are said to be filled with treasure. 

While the halls really are filled with treasure shown in piles of gold jewelry, the secrets of Laputa reveal themselves as grim and bloody. Through dark, nearly reflective halls decorated with analogous patterns similar to integrated circuits, robots are called forth to slaughter the unsuspecting trespassers. The incongruous nature of a city built to destroy, supported by a central magnificent tree, resolves itself in the end, leaving only the greenhouse, the tree, and maintenance robots who exist in a peaceful symbiotic relationship.

Key themes in this story are anti-war messaging, living in harmony with nature, and finding community. As an extra layer, historical stories are told with visuals reminiscent of medieval maps with dark hand-drawn outlines, cross-hatching, and warm overtones. Other key visuals in the film are winding roots, roiling clouds, and fields of flowers. 

Miyazaki truly embraces the splendor of extravagant maximalism in anti-war, compassion-forward Howl’s Moving Castle. From scenes of Sophie’s hat shop to Howl’s bedroom, maximalist décor acts as a detailed backdrop for the characters. With vibrant peacock feathers, fabric hat flowers, gem-adorned books, and glittering artifacts, the intricately ornate interiors speak volumes about each character’s personality.

Paired with the plainly lined characters, the glimmering backgrounds create a visual menagerie that the characters can stand out from. Even with simpler materials in simpler settings, repeated objects stay true to the maximalist theme, such as a wall of wood boxes at Lettie’s workplace or stacks of hay bales on a moving cart. 

Supporting the anti-war sentiments are the fiery red flames of burning towns and exploding military airships that show the catastrophic consequences of war. 

We also can’t forget the moving castle itself, a Gothic, steampunk dream and a perfect example of the imaginary mechanical features that contribute to the Ghibli aesthetic. Metal pieces that look like they have been cobbled together to create this lurching home have rusted into a red-brown and puce green.

Chicken legs similar to Baba Yaga’s renowned folklore chicken house hold the entire structure semi-upright. If this is one of your favorite films, then you’ll also like this tutorial on how to create a Studio Ghibli-inspired text effect!

This is arguably Ghibli’s first film—although it was created before the studio was founded, the crew that worked on Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was the crew that became Ghibli.

In this study on creature design and toxic, apocalyptic environments, Miyazaki explores the relationship between two groups of people, the Toxic Jungle that surrounds their village and giant insect-like creatures called the Ohmu.

The Toxic Jungle appears mainly composed of various types of fungi, sometimes appearing more like disgusting mold in muted tones during darker moods and other times appearing as part of a rich and colorful garden during lighter moods. While the residents of Nausicaä’s village have figured out ways to live symbiotically with the Toxic Jungle, invaders from outside the village have not. Nausicaä’s village reflects the hard-working, nature-loving people with fresh greens and wood browns, while the invaders are characterized by metallic textures and blazing desolation.

Themes of anti-war sentiments, harmonious environmentalism, and religion are strong throughout the film and paint the incredible story of a young woman hero in an apocalyptic time.

Studio Ghibli will always be iconic. It’s no surprise it received the Honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, after so many decades of redefining the film industry.

With new Ghibli movies coming out regularly, the love of the Ghibli style will stay inspirational. Explore creative assets from Envato that will help you build your projects.

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