BYUH students share how Studio Ghibli influenced their day-to-day lives
In the essay, “The Decay of Living,” notable English writer Oscar Wilde wrote, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” To three BYUH students, this quote resonated in the form of Studio Ghibli, an acclaimed Japanese animation studio. They shared the studio’s works positively influenced how they see the world and how they live their lives.
It’s good to be alive
Studio Ghibli co-founder and internationally acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki once said, according to Goodreads, “I would like to make a film to tell children it’s good to be alive.” He said, as per the website, he believed stories are crucial in the “formation of human beings” because of their ability to amaze and inspire.
For sophomore Abish Casilen from Utah majoring in communication, media and culture, Miyazaki’s goal to inspire has already succeeded. On Studio Ghibli’s influence in her day-to-day life, Casilen said, “It reminds me to appreciate the little, mundane things in my life.” She said even though she doesn’t watch the films as frequently as before, she still thought about them as they have continued to be an inspiration for her when she draws and writes in her free time.
Hanna Akari Rogers, a senior from Japan majoring in graphic design, said, “The way certain characters live their lives has inspired my own.” Characters like Kiki from “Kiki’s Delivery Service” or Chihiro from “Spirited Away” resonated with her at different points of her life as her age and experiences align with theirs, Rogers shared. She said learning from their courage and determination inspired her to bravely take the next steps forward in life.
“If we are able to imagine it, we can make it happen,” said Kahealani Sharma, a junior from Oregon majoring in communication, media and culture, on how Studio Ghibli taught her that there is no limit to creativity. She said Studio Ghibli taught her to have confidence in her own creative journey, sparking and strengthening her own interests and ideas.
Studio Ghibli has significantly influenced this generation, notably in media, aesthetics and cultural values.
Influencing a generation
“Studio Ghibli has significantly influenced this generation, notably in media, aesthetics and cultural values,” Sharma shared. She said animation is the powerhouse of expression because its art style can be understood at any age. Studio Ghibli has used that medium masterfully with their profound storytelling, she shared. She said its influence as a studio can be seen through today’s media and its presence in pop culture in the form of memes, short-form videos or merchandise like plushies.
From what Casilen witnessed in herself and in others around her, she said Studio Ghibli has influenced this generation by teaching them to find beauty in the little things. “Many of the movies provided a great comfort to us as children, and as adults we can examine the movie once more and listen to what the movies teach us,” she shared. She said the studio has also become a great pathway to Japanese media, introducing audiences to films from another culture which gives them greater appreciation for art as a whole.
Rogers sees many posts on social media from young people trying to match their lifestyles to the aesthetics of a Studio Ghibli film, she shared. She said the studio helped younger generations have more appreciation for interiors and food. However, Rogers wishes people will also find the appeal in the films’ themes and cautionary messages.
A special recommendation
“My parents showed me many Studio Ghibli movies when I was young, so I suppose you could say I’ve been a fan for life,” Casilen shared. She said the animation, music and pacing of the story are so calming that even when the stakes are high, it still feels like a comfort movie. She said what makes the studio’s art style beautiful is its attention to detail, such as the way people move or how the wind blows in their films. Casilen said though the storylines are simple, they will always leave its audience contemplating at the end of the movie.
“My favorite Studio Ghibli films are ‘Howl’s Moving Castle,’ ‘Spirited Away,’ ‘Ocean Waves’ and ‘Arrietty.’ There’s too many to choose from,” said Sharma. She shared one of the best things about Studio Ghibli is the music and how well it integrates with the story, whatever the storyline is and whoever the characters are.
“If you’ve never seen them, I highly recommend giving them a try,” said Rogers on watching Studio Ghibli films. She said whenever she feels stuck in life, wants to cry or be kinder to others, she finds herself watching a Studio Ghibli film, with many of the characters becoming role models for her. No matter where you are in life, there is always a lesson to be learned from a Studio Ghibli film, she said.