Studio Ghibli is a leading Japanese animation studio that has produced many works beloved around the world.
The characters who appear in its various films sometimes deliver messages—like courage and hope—that give us strength to live.
In this article, we’ll introduce short, memorable quotes from Studio Ghibli works!
These words, rich with deeper meaning, may well bring you comfort.
Find the words that will become your strength!
Short quotes from Studio Ghibli works: deep words that give us strength (1–10)
You have to make your own decisions.Lettie 'Howl’s Moving Castle'
From Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle: Lettie — “You have to make your own decisions!” #shorts
Released in 2004, Howl’s Moving Castle vividly portrays a wondrous magical world centered on the titular moving castle.
This is a line spoken by Lettie, Sophie’s sister and one of the film’s main characters, conveying the importance of making your own decisions.
It cautions against simply being swayed by consideration for others or by changing circumstances, and prompts us to realize the need to choose our own path.
How seriously you take these words may reveal whether you truly have the strength to decide for yourself.
Here is the line Naho says when she reunites with Jiro and sees the beautiful rainbow.
In ordinary life, being alive is a given, but it must be when we are side by side with death that the importance and preciousness of being alive come into sharper focus.
No matter what era we live in, the sight of someone striving to live earnestly is truly noble, and if we think that in fact we are always being kept alive, these words may resonate even more deeply in our hearts.
I don’t know, but we can live together.NEW!Ashitaka “Princess Mononoke”
A line spoken by Ashitaka, the protagonist of Princess Mononoke.
There’s a scene where Moro, the wolf god who guards the Forest of the Forest Spirit, asks Ashitaka, “Can you save San?” San is a human girl raised by Moro—a 15-year-old known as Princess Mononoke.
Abandoned in the mountains because of human circumstances and raised by the wolves, she came to hate humans who sought to seize the forest where they lived.
Yet she is tormented by the conflict that she herself is human and cannot become a wolf.
When asked whether Ashitaka could save San, he replies: “I don’t know.
But I can live with her.” It’s a line that honestly admits he might not be able to do it, yet also conveys a sincerity through which love can be felt.
At times like that, the only thing to do is flail. Draw, draw, and keep on drawing.NEW!Ursula 'Kiki's Delivery Service'
These are words from Ursula, Kiki’s best friend, that speak directly to the essence of being a creator when Kiki is struggling with a slump.
When you’re off your game and can’t see the answer, don’t overthink it—just keep your hands moving.
It teaches us that the very time spent flailing desperately, carrying all your doubts and fears with you, is what becomes your next source of strength.
Even if you can’t draw well, even if it doesn’t make sense, your sense won’t come back any other way than by continuing.
When you’re feeling down, these words powerfully push you forward: “It’s okay to struggle right now.
Everyone, we’re starting over from the beginning. Let’s make this a good village.NEW!Lady Eboshi 'Princess Mononoke'
This is a famous quote from Princess Mononoke.
It teaches us the strength to hold on to hope even in the midst of hardship.
Even if we fail or things fall apart, it gently encourages us: “You can always try again.” Rather than regretting the past, it reminds us that what matters is what we do from here.
And if we join forces—not alone, but together—we can surely create a kinder, warmer place than before.
Especially when we feel down, these words seem to say, “It’s okay, it’s not over yet,” filling us with the courage and hope to move forward.
