Studio Ghibli films are well known for dealing with important subjects in an accessible way; today we want to look at how their work discusses the topic of environmentalism. To do this we will look at how the attitudes of Studio Ghibli’s creators impact their work. Before analysing several films to see what they say on the topic of environmentalism.
Studio Ghibli’s Creators
Studio Ghibli was founded by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata (along with producer Toshio Suzuki). Both directors grew up in a Japan destroyed by WWII at a time which, according to Takahata, saw Japan move away from the sustainable system it had upheld until then. That being humans living in tune with nature.
The two began working together in the late 1960s at Toei. After they left they created several works (together and separately) before the formation of Studio Ghibli. Some of which demonstrated a love for nature and/or man’s relationship to nature. Including Panda! Go Panda, Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind among others.
The two went on to found Studio Ghibli in 1985. With Miyazaki often talking about how nature and humanity are intertwined and Takahata saying that the two creators shared many of the same attitudes regarding politics, it’s easy to see why Ghibli’s output consistently focuses on care for the environment.
Princess Mononoke
One of the works that best exemplifies Studio Ghibli’s environmental themes is Princess Mononoke. This 1997 film tells the story of Prince Ashitaka who, after being banished from his village because of a curse inflicted on him for killing a boar, stumbles into a war between the industrialised Irontown run by Lady Eboshi and the creatures of the forest fronted by a human named San.
Princess Mononoke is not subtle with its pro-environmental message. The central conflict revolves around man’s use of technology to kill and subordinate avatars of the natural world. The film focuses on how constant growth through industrial production and arms manufacturing will destroy the environment. Along with humanity.
Many critics have pointed out nuances within the film. For example, the natural world is portrayed as just as capable of violence as Irontown. There are also divisions on both sides of the conflict regarding how to resolve the fighting. Additionally, the potential for certain useful advancements made by industrialisation is raised.
However, this does not lessen the film’s fierce call for humanity to live in harmony with nature. On the contrary, the use of nuanced characters and storytelling along with natural animation for characters and the environment means the film feels like a more realistic depiction of the world than many others. Animated or live-action. This allows audiences to be engaged not merely politically but emotionally. Through showcasing the fine details Princess Mononoke encourages us to find the best way forward based on empathy for all living things.
Environmentalism in Ghibli’s Filmography
While Princess Mononoke is an oft-cited example of Ghibli’s environmentalism many of their other features have themes relating to nature. Films like My Neighbour Totoro, Only Yesterday, Ponyo and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya showcase a love for living in community with humanity and nature. Grave of the Fireflies, Howl’s Moving Castle and The Wind Rises all contrast the beauty of living in tune with nature to humanity’s use of technology in war. Spirited Away and The Story of Yanagawa Horiwari (Ghibli’s only primarily live-action film) argue for the restoration of clean water. Laputa: Castle In The Sky emphasises the possibility of cooperation between natural preservation and futuristic technology. And Pom Poko is just a flat-out plea for humanity to stop destroying wildlife.
Even films directed by other Ghibli creatives feature at least some form of an environmental message. These include The Red Turtle’s (Michaël Dudok de Wit) look at man’s relationship with animals. As well as When Marnie Was Here (Hiromasa Yonebayashi) emphasising nature’s beauty marching on despite personal tragedy.
Across its 40-year history Studio Ghibli has done a good job at not only recruiting other creators who share Ghibli’s environmental consciousness but also entertaining and inspiring generations of film fans to engage with and think about their relationship to the world around them.
