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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 (21–30)

A pig that doesn’t fly is just a pig.Porco Rosso: 'The Crimson Pig'

Porco Rosso, which portrays the exploits of men like air pirates and bounty hunters flying seaplanes, is a work beloved even for its rugged, masculine world.

These are the words of its protagonist, Porco Rosso, who simply explains why he flies, including what he thinks of his own appearance.

In those simple words, you can feel his desire not to be just a pig, and his wish to keep flying forever.

It’s a statement that conveys a powerful fixation—almost like an obsession or a curse—one that at times leads to achievements, and at other times to suffering.

You won’t know if you’re truly talented until you try.Seiji Amasawa, “Whisper of the Heart”

From Studio Ghibli's 'Whisper of the Heart' — Seiji Amasawa: "You won’t know if you’re truly talented unless you try." #shorts
You won’t know if you’re truly talented until you try. Seiji Amasawa, Whisper of the Heart

When you feel like giving up because you think you have no talent, read these words and start by taking on the challenge.

These are the words spoken by Seiji Amasawa from Whisper of the Heart, a story that portrays the bittersweet feelings of a junior high school crush and a sincere pursuit of dreams.

I believe talent can blossom through continued practice and effort.

If you decide on your own that you have no talent and stop trying despite wanting to do something, you won’t grow at all.

If what you want to do is right in front of you but you’re hesitating, remember these words!

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.

You shouldn’t expect perfection from the start.Shirō Nishi, Whisper of the Heart

From Studio Ghibli's 'Whisper of the Heart' — Shiro Nishi: “You mustn’t expect perfection from the start.” #shorts
You shouldn’t expect perfection from the start. — Shirō Nishi, Whisper of the Heart

No one can do everything perfectly from the start.

Even so, we sometimes lose confidence or even give up because we chase perfection too much.

At times like that, remember these words from Shirō Nishi, Seiji Amasawa’s grandfather in Whisper of the Heart.

He said them to Shizuku Tsukishima, who wanted to write a novel but lacked confidence.

Even if you can’t do it perfectly at first, by practicing and repeating, you can strive toward perfection.

If you’re standing at the starting line of a new challenge, keep these words in your heart and continue your daily efforts!

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.

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.