This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ky Tanella. Find them on Instagram at @ky.tanella. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
The 4K IMAX restoration of the 1997 Ghibli film Princess Mononoke grossed $1.2 million in its first day, showing on only 330 screens. It’s no secret that Hayao Miyazaki is hailed as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, especially with the continued audience and critical success of his Studio Ghibli films throughout the decades. Winning an Oscar for his film Spirited Away, Miyazaki is known for his meticulous approach to his animation style, and recently, he is known for his distaste for AI and AI “animation.” But why is Studio Ghibli so popular, even today? For its cute, love-able creatures? Or for its political firepower?
Studio Ghibli’s Staying Power
Studio Ghibli movies have a very distinct style, primarily due to founder Hayao Miyazaki’s commitment to color, cute characters, and Japanese culture. Everyone has at least one relevant Studio Ghibli movie that shaped their childhood. For me, it’s Ponyo, and I’m definitely getting a tattoo to commemorate it (at some point)!
These films are generally still relevant today due to their consistent themes, adorable creatures, and incredibly relatable, memorable main characters. The most consistent theme across some of the more famous Ghibli movies (including My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Pom Poko, and Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind) is environmentalism. Most of them are very spiritual in nature, but the grim message often lies in humans being their own destruction, especially when it comes to the preservation of the environment. The whimsy associated with the animation style and dialogue is so unique to Miyazaki, but it never softens the message.
Ghibli films also often touch on war, specifically pacifism—especially since World War II, pop culture in Japan has been primarily anti-war. Most notable in Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Grave of the Fireflies, he explores conflict and characters three-dimensionally, never portraying characters’ intentions as 100% evil.
Lastly, both of these central themes are often woven together with themes of family (or found family), inner growth, love, and feminism. Most of the protagonists in his films happen to be women, who are often younger or childlike, especially ones who have an air of kindness and gentleness to them that is inherently feminine.
People continually fight for change throughout different cultures and periods, and there is usually civil unrest no matter what time you’re living in. Environmentalism and war are especially relevant in 2025 due to the current administration’s policies surrounding the Palestinian conflict and the current state of environmental impacts (such as AI, fracking, and global warming). Although they stay relevant through their cultural/political significance, their ability to elicit emotional responses from the audience allows them to stay with us for longer than the runtime.
Princess Mononoke in IMAX
Princess Mononoke is considered one of the best Miyazaki films of all time, and its re-release feels more relevant now than ever. Its themes remind you of the balance between humanity and nature and contemporarily resonate with climate change and environmental destruction, even 25 years after its release.
The film follows a warrior named Ashitaka, who is on a mission for a cure after he’s cursed. Along his journey, he discovers that the balance between humans, animals, and spirits is crumbling, and war is approaching. He meets Lady Eboshi, the leader of Irontown, who is hellbent on destroying the forest spirit to continue her quest for rote industrialization. On the opposite side of the spectrum is San (aka Princess Mononoke), a feral girl raised by wolves, who hates humans, and will do anything to protect the forest and the animals that live within it. It’s no mistake that this film is one of Miyasaki’s most epically violent, ultimately foreshadowing the dire consequences of our ever-growing environmental destruction.
In Miyazaki fashion, no one is inherently evil. As an environmentalist, I find it clear who the villain is, but industrialism as a complex is not inherently evil. Miyazaki instead comments on the lack of responsibility from higher-ups and those who thrive off capitalism, as well as the toxicity of the human ego. In the end, the rage and power of the forest prove to be more brutal and relentless than thought possible. Though the ending shows the humans and forest finally finding a balance and living in harmony, this sheer brutality further emphasizes the fact that the Earth can and will survive without us, but we cannot survive without it.
As mentioned above, environmentalism is a hot-button issue, so this film feels more relevant than others. It was so appropriate, in fact, that while I was watching, I couldn’t peel my eyes away, and I could barely stop crying. Scientists are protesting (and have been protesting) about the impacts of billionaires on our environment and the consequences that will follow. During a time when the United States has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement, this film, although made 25 years ago, is a stark reminder of how long they’ve been screaming.
Past the environmentalism and war commentary (and my rant), the movie is so stylistically Ghibli! The 2D animation style that we’ve come to know and love, as well as the complex, powerful female leads, is enough to make even the most straightforward Ghibli fan happy. The pure whimsy attached to this movie really makes you appreciate the vastness and beauty of nature and forest creatures. I can’t quite describe how I feel when I see them; they are just so beautiful. Although the messages can sometimes be hard to find, and might take a few watches to understand genuinely, Miyazaki has been educating me on the importance and beauty of nature since I was a child. Now, I tend to appreciate the films even more.
Conclusion
As you can see, I’m a little fired up! Movies like this tend to fuel my need to do something, only to be stricken with sadness when I realize there’s not much I can do to fix everything.
I highly recommend any Studio Ghibli movie, but the most relevant to environmentalism and war are Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, and, of course, Princess Mononoke.
So… why is Studio Ghibli so popular? Humbly, it’s about the cute little creatures and adorable animation style. Less humbly, it’s about portrayal and stark reminders of our real-life impacts, especially when it comes to the balance between nature and humans. Many Ghibli movies are on MAX, so I highly recommend checking out one, even if “anime” isn’t your thing. Trust me!
What’s your favorite Studio Ghibli movie? Let us know why in the comments down below!
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