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!
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Short quotes from Studio Ghibli works: deep words that give you strength (21–30)
At times like that, the only thing to do is flail. Draw, draw, and keep on drawing.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.
As long as you keep going, you’ll be fine.”
Everyone, we’re starting over from the beginning. Let’s make this a good village.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.
What matters in design is sensibility. Sensibility leads the times. Technology follows after that.Caproni “The Wind Rises”
These are words of advice that strike at the core for designers and creators who give shape to their dreams.
Technology and knowledge alone cannot create things that move the times.
What matters is trusting what you feel and having the sense to see ahead.
Like Jiro Horikoshi in The Wind Rises, technology only demonstrates its power once you first envision your dreams and ideals.
Even when things don’t go well, even when you feel short on skill, there’s no need to deny your sensibility.
If you keep valuing what you believe in, your effort and technique will support you and become the strength that opens the future.
Even when you’re down, perhaps the most important thing is to first trust your own instincts and move forward.
I’ve run away enough. I’ve finally found something I have to protect. You.Howl “Howl’s Moving Castle”
These are the words spoken at the moment when Howl, who had always kept running away, met someone he wanted to protect and, for the first time, made up his mind.
What resonates is how he doesn’t deny his weaker self or his awkward past, but accepts that “the time I spent running wasn’t wasted.” Even with weakness and doubt, when you find someone you want to protect, you can gain true strength.
Even if you couldn’t live for yourself, you can take a step forward for someone else.
That kindness and resolve offer a warm courage to a discouraged heart.
Even if you’re scared or anxious, as long as there’s something you want to protect, you can move forward today, too.
Live your own time.Baron “The Cat Returns”
These are the words Baron spoke when the protagonist, Haru, had taken the form of a cat and was about to accept being a cat.
Living in your own time leads to living true to yourself.
Some people may get swept up by the currents of society and the opinions around them, and end up losing sight of who they are and how they want to live.
But your life belongs only to you.
If you ever feel like you’re losing yourself, remember these words and take a moment to think again about what kind of person you are and what kind of life you want to lead.
A pig that doesn’t fly is just a pig.Porco “Porco Rosso”
Some of you who have seen Porco Rosso may recognize this famous quote: “A pig who doesn’t fly is just a pig.” It’s a very memorable phrase.
These words are spoken by Porco Rosso, a man who was once a human pilot but, due to his own curse, took on the form of a pig.
The key point is that it says “doesn’t fly,” not “can’t fly.” It means that someone who has the ability to fly but chooses not to act is nothing more than a mere existence.
You can sense his resolve not to give up flying even after becoming a pig.
If you’re going to get involved, see it through to the end.Kamaji “Spirited Away”
These are the words Kamaji says to Chihiro as she helps the soot sprites with their work.
Quitting something you’ve started can inconvenience those around you and leave you with a sense of guilt.
Still, seeing something through to the end once you’ve decided to do it is actually pretty tough.
Even so, take this line as a push to follow through to the end on what you’ve committed to—for others, and above all for yourself.
Incidentally, in the story, Chihiro’s help ends up prompting the soot sprites to slack off.
When you decide to do something, sometimes you also have to consider how it might affect the people around you.
Once something has happened, you never forget it—it’s just that you can’t recall it.Zeniba 'Spirited Away'
These are Zeniba’s words to Chihiro, who has forgotten her past encounter with Haku.
Humans are creatures who forget many things, so even when something is very important, it’s common to forget it.
But this line makes us feel that, surely, somewhere in our hearts, those things are carefully kept.
Like Chihiro, memories may return when various experiences pile up, or they might resurface in moments that seem completely unrelated.
Instead of despairing over forgetting, if we believe those memories are safely tucked away deep in our hearts, we can cherish them forever.
Alright, Shizuku. Do it the way you believe. But living differently from others is tough in its own way. Whatever happens, you can’t blame anyone else.Shizuku's father
It’s a stern yet deeply loving encouragement directed at Shizuku, the protagonist pursuing her dream.
You’re free to choose the path you believe in, but that means you must shoulder all the loneliness, anxiety, and failures yourself.
Even so, if you have the resolve to keep going without running away, it quietly gives you a push to try.
Living in a way that leaves no one else to blame is tough, but in return, you gain the real sense that you’re truly living your own life.
To a wavering heart, it offers practical courage: even if you’re scared, you can trust yourself and move forward.
At times like that, all you can do is flail.Ursula 'Kiki's Delivery Service'
Kiki’s Delivery Service is Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki’s first feature film based on an existing work.
It’s also known as “Majo-taku.” These words were spoken by Ursula, Kiki’s friend, to Kiki.
One day, Kiki’s magic suddenly weakens and she can no longer fly.
That’s when Ursula invites Kiki to her home and tells her this.
I think many of us have wondered, “What am I capable of?” Even if you’re flailing about, by taking the time to talk with yourself little by little, you might start to see what you really want to do.
Kiki’s Delivery Service has scenes that resonate differently depending on the age at which you watch it, so if you’re curious, be sure to check out the film.