Studio Ghiblifilms are the most popular animated films thatanimeand non-anime fans absolutely adore. With vibrant colors, beautiful art direction, and lovely storytelling,Studio Ghibli films are always fun to watch. They also tend to lean toward emotional storytelling, dealing with characters who adapt to the ever-changing world around them and believing that the greater good will come of it.
While most Studio Ghibli films tend to share common themes with each other, they are also diverse in their storytelling. This is very similar to the twelve zodiacs, which while they carry similarities, are very different from one another.Based on your zodiac, discover which Studio Ghibli film you are or closely connect to based on your zodiac.
1Aries - ‘Ponyo’ (2009)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Ponyofollows young princess Brunhilde, who sneaks off her father’s submarine and finds herself trapped in a jar. However, she is saved by a young boy named Sōsuke, and hereinafter, he names her Ponyo. Disobeying her father,Ponyo does everything in her power to be with Sōsuke, even if it means stealing his magic and changing her life completely to get what she wants.
Ponyois a film about responsibility and overcoming challenges, which is much like the Aries zodiac. The Aries (March 21-April 19) is a bold and ambitious creature of sorts, much likethe curious and bold Ponyowho’s determined to be with Sōsuke, diving headfirst into any way to be with him and see him.Bravery and ambition takes an Aries a long way, as it does for Ponyo and Sōsuke.
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2Taurus - ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
Having won numerous awards and being a cultural icon,My Neighbor Totorofollows sisters Satsuki and Mei as they encounter mystical creatures in the new home they move into. One such creature is named Totoro, a giant, playful, and fluffy spirit thathas won the hearts of many with its iconic and sweet look.
Focusing on the themes of childhood and life-changing moments,My Neighbor Totorois a beautiful film of childhood innocence. Taurus (April 20–May 20) is an Earth sign, which is the setting ofMy Neighbor Totoroas the film follows the spirits of the land in its natural essence.Tauruses are known for overcoming obstacles and challenges, andMy Neighbor Totorodeals with mature and difficult themes, such as Satsuki and Mei’s mother being ill and growing worse. And much like Satsuki and Mei, Tauruses find peace in the world around them.
My Neighbor Totoro
This acclaimed animated tale by director Hayao Miyazaki follows schoolgirl Satsuke and her younger sister, Mei, as they settle into an old country house with their father and wait for their mother to recover from an illness in an area hospital. As the sisters explore their new home, they encounter and befriend playful spirits in their house and the nearby forest, most notably the massive cuddly creature known as Totoro.
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3Gemini - ‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
After Chihiro’s parents are turned into pigs, a ten-year old Chihiro signs a contract of employment with the witch Yubaba in the spirit world. She does this while trying to find a way to turn her parents back to normal. Friendly boy Haku warns Chihiro that should she forget her own name, she will never leave the spirit world.
An enchanting and magical film,Spirited Awayis a masterpiece of a film. Its message isdeeply rooted in the self, reminding viewers that we shouldn’t forget who we are or where we come from. The Gemini (May 21-June 20), much likeSpirited Away, is charismatic, compelling and pulling people toward them because of who—and what—they are. Also, much like Chihiro, Geminis are intelligent and wise, though they may not be aware of it in the presiding moment. Still, their curiosity is like that of a child’s, andsimilarly to Chihiro, they fear the unknown and don’t quite know how to confront their problems head-on, though they are versatile and capable of learning.
Spirited Away
During her family’s move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, a world where humans are changed into beasts.
4Cancer - ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)
Young thirteen-year-old witch Kiki finally takes off on her own with her cat Jiji and a family broomstick. She finds herself in the town of Koriko and opens her “Witch Delivery Service.” However, insecurities plague the young Kiki, and she finds herself questioning her own abilities.
Cancers (June 22-July 22) are known for being sensitive and helping others with their own problems. Like Kiki,Cancers seek to help others out of the goodness of their heart, though it can be a bit overwhelming at times when they do so. Similarly to Kiki inKiki’s Delivery Service, both Kiki and Cancers tend to be weighed down by their own burdens and grievances, but this just proves that both are in tune with their complex and very real emotions.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
5Leo - ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004)
Young hat-maker Sophie Hatter is convinced that, as the oldest of three, she is meant for the most boring life. However, things change when a witch curses her, causing her to become old. Sophie, realizing that she no longer belongs, travels to find Howl, and she stumbles upon his ever-moving castle.
Leos (July 23-Aug 22) and Howl go hand-in-hand in terms of their dazzling personality. Both are people of vitality, living life to its absolute fullest while also shining brightly among the people they know and love. Like inHowl’s Moving Castle, full of heart,Leos are passionate lovers, and they are dedicated to seeing their partners thrive and succeed, which undoubtedlymatches Howl’s passionate love and protective nature for Sophie.
Howl’s Moving Castle
When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.
6Virgo - ‘Whisper of the Heart’ (1995)
Directed by Yoshifumi Kondō
Fourteen-year-old junior high student Shizuku Tsukishima loves creative writing. However, as a reading enthusiast, Shizuku realizes that all the books she’s checked out have also all been checked out previously by a boy named Seiji Amasawa. While attempting to find this boy who may be her soulmate, she also comes across a cat and an antique shop.
An inspirational film of diligence and hard work. Much likeWhisper of the Heart’sendearing protagonist Shizuki, Virgos (Aug 23-Sept 22) are earth signs who are seemingly logical perfectionists at heart.Like when Seiji and Shizuku go their separate ways for two months to focus on their own passions, Virgos are just as diligent, eager to improve their skills.
7Libra - ‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)
The last Emishi prince Ashitaka kills a corrupted Boar God. In his attempts to do so, he is cursed, granting him superhuman strength but also pain, which will lead to his eventual death. However, he is informed that he may find the cure should he go out to the western lands where the demon originated from. Along the way, he meets Princess Mononoke.
Much like the feelings and emotions of the film itself, the Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22) is a compassionate creature who believes and is fixated on the idea of balance and harmony. This is quite similar to the prince Ashitaka who takes risks in seeking harmony between creatures and humans.Princess Mononokedeals with the theme of nature and human advancement. And like Prince Ashitaka,Libras believe in their own intuition, leading them on their own journeys to do what’s right for themselves and those around them.
Princess Mononoke
On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami’s curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest, he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.
8Scorpio - ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’ (2011)
Directed by Gorō Miyazaki
In 1963, Umi Matsuzaki is a sixteen-year-old who begins to fall for Shun Kazama, both of whom got off on the wrong foot with each other. However, as the two fall for one another, they also learn about their families' past in the war. Meanwhile, their school is threatened with demolition, and they want to protect it, so they attempt to get the demolition canceled.
Much like the characters Shun and Umi inFrom Up on Poppy Hill, Scorpios (Oct 23-Nov 21) are brave people. Similarly to Shun, they and their actions and intentions are often misunderstood by others.Scorpios always aim to get what they want, and like Shun and Umi, they do whatever it takes to get what they want, even if it means being understood to a certain extent. One of the most honest and ambitious signs, Scorpios fight for what they believe in.
From Up On Poppy Hill
In Yokohama during the 1960s, a group of students bands together to prevent the demolition of their beloved and historic school clubhouse in the face of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Amid their conservation efforts, a young girl and her schoolmate uncover family secrets that deepen their connection and challenge their understanding of their shared history.
9Sagittarius - ‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)
Twelve-year-old Mahito’s life becomes a wreck when he loses his mother and his father remarries her sister. Distancing himself from everyone, Mahito encounters a heron who informs him that his mother is still alive. When deceived by the heron to enter a strange tower, Mahito finds himself in a very different world from the one he’s known.
The Boy and the Heronis a film of grief and mourning. It evokes the idea that death is inevitable, but that is life and thus okay. Mahito is an adventurous child who lets his curiosity lead him. Not to mention, like Mahito, Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) is also an adaptable species.What ties this film even closer to the zodiac is the arrow Natsuko uses to protect Mahito, which is the symbol of the Sagittarius zodiac.
The Boy and the Heron
A young boy named Mahito, yearning for his mother, ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. A semi-autobiographical fantasy from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.
10Capricorn - ‘When Marnie Was There’ (2015)
Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Twelve-year-old Anna Sasaki suffers from an asthma attack and has to move to the country to better her health. While there, she meets a blonde girl named Marnie, and the two become unlikely friends.
Anna is a sensitive soul, and she struggles with self-esteem. Meanwhile, Marnie is headstrong. These two characters fromWhen Marnie Was Thererepresent the Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) zodiac very well, asboth push through adversity similarly to the way a Capricorn would. While Capricorns are rather sensitive, they are also determined to overcome whatever adversary is in their way.
When Marnie Was There
Anna, a shy 12-year-old girl, is sent to spend time with her aunt and uncle who live in the countryside, where she meets Marnie. The two become best friends. But Anna gradually discovers that Marnie is not quite who she appears to be.
