Summary
Studio Ghibli’s couples are vague but unforgettable; they change each other’s lives and inspire deep relationships. Ashitaka and San save each other in Princess Mononoke, find a new home, and admit their desire to be together. Pazu and Sheeta protect their world in Castle in the Sky by relying on each other, showing loyalty and perseverance.
Some The most beautiful couples in anime all come from the legendary Studio Ghibli, the main characters tend to come in pairs, due to the studio’s recurring theme of deep relationships. Director and screenwriter Hayao Miyazaki once said: “I want to portray a slightly different relationship, one in which both inspire each other to live: if possible, then perhaps I will closer to portraying a true expression of love. .”
As a result, very few of Ghibli’s couples appear explicitly romantic, leaving it unclear whether they are close friends, good as family or lovers, future or present. That’s not the important part about any of them, though: what makes them memorable is the way they changed each other’s lives forever.
10 Ashitaka And San
Princess Mononoke
After being cursed and banished from his village, Ashitaka makes his way to Iron Town, where he discovers an ongoing conflict between townspeople seeking to expand into the forest and determined forest spirits. protect their land. At the forefront of the spirits’ force is San, raised by the wolf god and harboring a fierce hatred of others. Ashitaka is determined to bring peace to them all.
Ashitaka’s determination to protect life at all costs, both human and spiritual, earns him San’s grudging respect. The two almost took turns saving each other’s lives as the war between humans, gods, and souls escalates to the point of nearly destroying all involved. In the ending of Princess Mononoke, not only does Ashitaka find a new home and role, but San also openly admits she wants to be close to him.
9 Kaguya and Sutemaru
The Story of Princess Kaguya
As a Lunar soul sent to Earth to grow up, Kaguya is constantly torn between two worlds. She loved humanity and all the small wonders Earth had to offer, especially those in the simple mountain village where she spent her childhood. Her closest connection to that house is Sutemaru.
Sutemaru was always kind and protective of Kaguya, and they may have remained close as adults, but they were separated when she became a noblewoman. The sequence of Kaguya’s final meeting with her childhood friend, where they fly through the sky together, is one of the most beautiful moments in a beautiful animated film. Sutemaru represents the happiness that Kaguya deeply desires but can never obtain.
8 Jiro And Naoko
Rising Wind
The wind that lifts Jiro Horikoshi’s war plane into the sky also leads him to the love of his life, Naoko Satomi. They love each other deeply and are faithful to each other, and nothing makes them happier than being together. Unfortunately, due to Naoko’s late-stage tuberculosis, their life together was cut short too soon.
Hayao Miyazaki took considerable liberties with the life of the historical Jiro Horikoshi when writing The Wind Rises. In real life, Jiro’s wife did not have tuberculosis, they lived together long after World War II and had five children. To emphasize the film’s themes of love, loss, and helplessness in the face of change, Miyazaki turned their story into a romantic tragedy.
7 Kiki And Tombo
Kiki’s delivery service
On her journey to growing up and becoming a witch, Kiki meets and befriends many people in her new town. From her artist friend Ursula to the parent characters Osano and Fukuo, they all teach her many valuable lessons. However, The most important part of her growing up begins and ends with Tombo.
Tombo is the first person Kiki meets when she arrives in Koriko: surprised to see her flying alone on a broomstick, he resolves to befriend her. The longer Kiki stays in the city, the more obstacles and emotional pitfalls she faces, culminating in the loss of her magic. Seeing Tombo in the midst of a hot air balloon crash gives her the motivation she needs to retrieve her broom and regain her magic once and for all.
6 Ponyo And Sosuke
Healing
Childhood friendships are often the closest and most sincere friendships. In this Little Mermaid fairy tale, it not only allows Ponyo and Sosuke to be together, but also saves all humanity from being swallowed by the ocean. Even with such powerful magic in the world, their innocent love for each other is stronger than anything.
The workings of the human and supernatural worlds are too vast to fully comprehend. However, what really matters in the end is Ponyo’s determination to be with Sosuke no matter what and Sosuke’s acceptance of Ponyo for all that she is. Since Ponyo is finally allowed to become a human, the ending carries the heavy meaning that they will grow up together and be together for life.
5 Howl and Sophie
Howl’s Moving Castle
When Sophie is cursed by the witch, she must turn to the mysterious wizard Howl for help. Drawn deeper into his world of magic and schemes, she realizes that she may have been the one who saved Howl all along. By the end of her journey, she becomes more and more confident, seeing herself as strong, intelligent, and capable, which is exactly how Howl sees her.
These two are the favorite couple of many Studio Ghibli fans. While both are less interesting than the original Diana Wynne Jones books, they’re still just as entertaining to watch. Sophie is a kind person and loves Howl, but she also has no problem stopping his movie; Howl’s lost heart is restored by Sophie, and his best features are revealed through his efforts to protect her.
4 Sheeta And Pazu
Castle on the cloud
Sheeta has a unique connection to Laputa, the legendary floating castle. Pazu had long dreamed of finding Laputa one day. When they are caught up in the dangers of others seeking to gain Laputa’s power, only by relying on each other can they both protect their world and escape with their lives.
One of Studio Ghibli’s first films to introduce recurring elements of future projects, such as strong environmental themes, Joe Hisaishi’s sweeping score, and templates for character pairings main. Sheeta and Pazu demonstrate many of the positive qualities that Miyazaki likes to bestow on his young heroes: incredible loyalty, honesty and perseverance.
3 Shou And Arrietty
Arrietty’s Secret World
Shou is a lonely boy who stays with his aunt before undergoing a risky surgery to cure his fatal heart disease, and Arrietty is one of the Borrower family who secretly lives in house. As a rule, humans and Borrowers do not interact with each other, but the two nonetheless forge a life-changing friendship. Shou’s patient efforts to win the Arrietty family’s trust are especially memorable.
They are eventually forced apart, and at least in the English dub, Shou confirms that he will never see Arrietty again. In the original Japanese, it remains ambiguous whether Shou survived the surgery or whether Arietty’s family reached a new home. However, Their time together gives them new hope for the future.
2 Shizuku And Seiji
The deep poetry of the heart
Before even meeting Seiji Amasawa, Shizuku Tsukishima was fascinated to see his name on all the payment cards of the library books she was interested in (a first encounter that young viewers might found it very attractive). When she discovers that the mysterious Seiji and her annoying classmate are one and the same, she is horrified. But as they grow closer, Seiji and Shizuku quickly become each other’s strongest support.
Whisper of the Heart is one of the few Ghibli films not directed by Miyazaki but still stands out as one of the best. Growing up and deciding who you want to become is always a difficult task: having loved ones who support you always makes it easier. Shizuku and Seiji are drawn to different arts, but the lessons they learn about how to pursue their dreams are the same. Although their pursuits eventually separated them, their love for each other remained.
1 Chihiro And Haku
Spirit land
When Chihiro’s parents were cursed, leaving her trapped in the spirit world, Haku was the first spirit she met and the first to help her. Chihiro’s journey teaches her to be brave, selfless, and responsible, all of which she uses to save Haku from his own curse. Ultimately, she leaves the Spirit World a stronger person, and leaves it and its people better than she found it.
Twice, these children met completely by chance and did not stay together for long. But both times, it was one of the most important moments of their lives. After being robbed of his river and his name, it was Chihiro’s kindness that helped Haku regain his identity; Meanwhile, Chihiro wouldn’t have been around to do it if Haku hadn’t saved her life when she fell into his river as a child. Haku promises that one day they will meet again, but even if that doesn’t come true, the adventure will follow them throughout their lives.
