The Art History of Studio Ghibli with Helen McCarthy

Discover more from Studio Ghibli's art, taking inspiration from mystical qualities and traditions from Japanese culture. Followed by Q+A.

There can’t be many people with Internet access who haven’t heard the name of Studio Ghibli. It’s one of the most famous film studios on the planet, producing classics like Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. Both Princess Mononoke and the studio’s perennial favourite My Neighbour Totoro have been transformed into stage shows. Concerts of their magical film scores draw huge crowds. But there’s a lot more to Studio Ghibli than just movies. Its art is driven by inspiration from Japanese and Western art, by energies from the streets of Japan and by the mystical qualities of its traditions and its wild places. 

Helen McCarthy, who wrote the first books in English on anime and on Ghibli’s co- founding director Hayao Miyazaki, will take you on a journey through the studio’s history and inspiration, with time and space to appreciate selected artworks and a list of sources – books, websites and places to visit - if you want to explore further.