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Wonderful quotes and sayings

Short quotes from Studio Ghibli works: profound words that give us strength

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 you strength (11–20)

Discern with a clear, unclouded eye and decide.Ashitaka “Princess Mononoke”

When you find yourself unable to make a necessary decision because of others’ opinions or out of deference, remember these words.

They’re spoken by Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke, a work whose theme song sung by Yoshikazu Mera is also unforgettable.

We can get swayed by the media, by the voices around us, by considerations of someone’s vested interests or self-preservation—there are so many opinions.

But unless we strip away those voices and decide based only on what we ourselves have seen, we can’t truly be satisfied with the outcome.

When you feel yourself being led astray, try following these words.

The Wind Rises

Being alive is wonderful, isn’t it?Nahoko

Being alive is wonderful, isn’t it? Nahoko

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.

Do not be afraid. Things that are far away only look big, and things that are close only look small.Baron “Whisper of the Heart”

From Studio Ghibli’s “Whisper of the Heart” — Baron: “Do not be afraid. Things only look big when they’re far away and small when they’re close.” #shorts
Do not be afraid. Things that are far away only look big, and things that are close only look small. —Baron, Whisper of the Heart

Whisper of the Heart portrays boys and girls striving toward their dreams, and its protagonist, Shizuku Tsukishima, attempts to write a story in the film.

In that story appears the character Baron, who delivers a line that evokes a mysterious world unlike our reality.

He offers a curious explanation in which perspective seems reversed: what’s far away appears large, and what’s nearby appears small, the opposite of how we normally see things.

Although the film doesn’t go into detail, it can feel like an expression of a grand goal in a distant place—something out of reach—looming large, while the things close at hand seem small and worthless.

Even so, the message comes across as a gentle reminder that, however insignificant they may seem, the things near us can be truly important.

Princess Mononoke

I don’t know, but we can live together.Ashitaka “Princess Mononoke”

I don’t know, but we can live together. — 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.

Kiki's Delivery Service

Don’t worry so much about form. What matters is the heart.Kiki's Mother 'Kiki's Delivery Service'

Don’t worry so much about form. What matters is the heart. — Kiki’s mother, Kiki’s Delivery Service

Humans can’t help but fixate on appearances.

We often worry about the first impression and end up leaving our hearts behind.

But as this saying suggests, what truly needs to be cherished is your own heart.

Even if your outward appearance is flawless, if the inside doesn’t match, the cracks will show somewhere.

Or your own heart won’t be able to bear it.

It’s important to care about form and looks, but are your feelings truly aligned with them? Why not use these words as a chance to pause and reflect for a moment?

Howl's Moving Castle

You have to decide for yourself!Sophie “Howl’s Moving Castle”

You have to decide for yourself! — Sophie, Howl’s Moving Castle

Deciding is, surprisingly, difficult and something that weighs on the mind.

It’s easy to just go along with what everyone around you is doing, or to keep doing things the way you always have because it’s comfortable.

But when it comes to living your own life, you can’t really say it’s good to leave the path you take up to others.

There may be times when physical, mental, or social pressures make it hard to choose your own way.

In those moments, remember these words, find your courage, and make your own decisions—then take action yourself!

Whisper of the Heart

I’m glad I pushed myself. I understand myself a little better than before.Shizuku Tsukishima “Whisper of the Heart”

I'm glad I pushed myself. I understand myself a little better than before. —Shizuku Tsukishima, “Whisper of the Heart”

These are the words spoken at the moment when the protagonist, who has been stretching themselves to reach their dream and running forward through doubt, finally made peace with themselves—even if just a little.

It’s a sincere feeling that arose because they realized that the failures and the embarrassing attempts were all necessary to understand who they are.

Even if you’re not perfect, if you understand yourself a little better than you did yesterday, that’s real growth.

When you’re feeling down, these are the gentle, warming words that softly affirm you: the you who pushed too hard, the you who got lost—neither of them was wrong.

If you keep living, things will work out somehow.Toki: Princess Mononoke

From Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke: Toki [As long as you're alive, you'll manage!] #shorts
If you keep living, things will work out somehow. — Toki, Princess Mononoke

These are the words spoken by Toki, Kouroku’s wife, to him when he becomes despondent after seeing the roof of the ironworks collapse.

In the story, Toki is portrayed as strong-willed and serves as a leader among the women of the ironworks.

It’s precisely because of who she is that she can make such positive remarks even in a crisis.

No matter what situation you’re in, if you’re alive, you can find a way—that powerful line reminds us of that essential truth.

Incidentally, Sumi Shimamoto, who voiced Toki, has said she loves this line.

I’m glad I reached beyond my comfort zone. I understand myself a little better than before.Shizuku Tsukishima “Whisper of the Heart”

From Studio Ghibli's 'Whisper of the Heart' — Shizuku Tsukishima: "I'm glad I tried to push myself. I understand myself a little better than before." #shorts
I'm glad I reached beyond my comfort zone. I understand myself a little better than before. Shizuku Tsukishima, “Whisper of the Heart”

This work depicts the bittersweet interactions between a boy and a girl that begin with a book, and the theme of chasing one’s dreams also plays a role in the story.

These are lines in which the protagonist, Shizuku Tsukishima, talks about her decision to move toward her dream.

She speaks honestly about the joy of taking the first step onto a path that seemed difficult not only to those around her but even to herself, and how that opened up her world.

Even if it might not lead to results, taking that first step teaches us that it can be the key to opening up the future.

If you rush things, you’ll lose everything.Muska 'Laputa: Castle in the Sky'

From Studio Ghibli's 'Castle in the Sky' — Muska: "If you rush things, you'll lose everything." #shorts
If you rush things, you’ll lose everything. — Muska, “Castle in the Sky”

The traces of a lost ancient civilization, the story revolving around the Castle in the Sky, and the thrill of setting off on an adventure are all part of its charm.

This line, spoken by Muska—arguably the story’s final villain—conveys the importance of approaching things calmly.

It reminds us that if we rush in, we risk ruining everything we’ve built up so far, and that it’s precisely when we’re in a hurry that we should proceed with composure.

Although the fact that it’s spoken by a villain gives us pause, perhaps it’s actually an important line that teaches us the value of staying calm.