Studio Ghibli’s most environmental films to reflect upon human-nature relationship

Studio Ghibli is one of the most famous Japanese film production companies, co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki, known as one of the world’s greatest animators. He also earned a reputation as an environmentalist who creates numerous films to move the audience to reflect on environmental concerns such as climate change. Here is my analysis from an ecological perspective on four of Studio Ghibli’s most environmentally-conscious films.

“Princess Mononoke” seeks the balance between humans and nature

“Princess Mononoke” (1997) is set in the 14th century in Japan, where various groups of people and forest spirits have constant battles to seek their own prosperity. Ashitaka, a protagonist, starts a journey to find a cure for a fatal curse from Tatarigami (a demon), only to find that a mining colony run by enigmatic Lady Eboshi is what has generated a curse and provoked the wrath of nature.

This film doesn’t have any villains nor concrete sense of justice. Although it portrays the conflicts between humans and nature, audiences may see the good in both sides just like Ashitaka does through his journey. At the end of the film, Ashitaka and San (Princess Mononoke) decide not to live together, showing that mutual independence of humans and nature is the only way both can coexist peacefully.

“Nausicaa” depicts a future where humans fail to live with nature

“Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” (1984) is another environmental film that has a strong message about ecological destruction. The story takes place 1,000 years after “The Seven Days of Fire,” the event in which industrial civilization was destroyed by the great God Warriors.

Once you start watching this film, you can’t stop thinking of how extensively human activities have polluted the earth. A vast poisonous forest called the “sea of decay,” and the massive destructive war remind me of nuclear war although the film doesn’t mention it explicitly. The story sounds a serious alarm to a modern society in which people continue developing and applying their technology without knowing its dangers. The film depicts threats of nuclear power plants, high-tech destructive weapons and water and air pollution. Nausicaa gives us time to think about what we should do to keep a beautiful planet for the next generation.

“Totoro” and “Spirited Away” represent a Japanese longing for nature

“My Neighbor Totoro” (1988) and “Spirited Away” (2001) represent how Japanese people admire and respect nature by believing God-like spirits exist in everything that creates the world such as forests, rivers and mountains. These films are not as environmentally provocative as “Princess Mononoke” and “Nausicaa,” but they are always beloved by the Japanese because of their strong emotional attachment to their childhood memories.

Although I don’t remember whether it was Ghibli films that made me care about the environment as a child, I have somehow believed gods or spirits to exist in every part of nature since I was very young. Most Japanese, including myself, have dreamed of encountering supernatural beings like Totoro and the forest spirits at least once, ending up knowing that it will never come true.

Overall, these Ghibli films make Japanese audiences feel tenderness and nostalgia towards the earth, giving them a profoundly sweet, sorrowful feeling at the same time.