Wonderful quotes and sayings

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

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

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)

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.

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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.

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Short quotes from Studio Ghibli works. Deep words that give strength (31–40)

We’re living each day with great care now.Jiro Horikoshi, “The Wind Rises”

These are words from a conversation between Jiro Horikoshi, the aviation engineer who is the protagonist of The Wind Rises, and his younger sister.

It’s what Jiro says when his sister urges him to return to the hospital for Nahoko, who will become his wife.

For those of us living lives overwhelmed by work, where moments pass in the blink of an eye, his words resonate deeply.

Even people who don’t know the film will feel that we ought to live in a way that makes such words true.

His words, forged while surviving a turbulent era, remind us of the important things we were starting to forget.

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I can’t tell someone who’s trying way harder than I am to “keep it up.”Shizuku Tsukishima “Whisper of the Heart”

From Studio Ghibli’s “Whisper of the Heart” — Shizuku Tsukishima: “I can’t tell someone who’s working so much harder than me to ‘hang in there.’” #shorts

I can’t tell someone who’s trying way harder than I am to “keep it up.” Shizuku Tsukishima, Whisper of the Heart

Watch on YouTube: “I can’t tell someone who’s trying way harder than I am to ‘keep it up.’ — Shizuku Tsukishima, Whisper of the Heart”

These are Shizuku Tsukishima’s lines when she tells a friend that she’s heard Seiji Amasawa is going to Italy to chase his dream.

Her friend says, “You could write him letters and encourage him,” but Shizuku replies with these words.

At the time, Shizuku still hadn’t found what she wanted to do and hadn’t decided on her own path.

She shrinks back, thinking there’s nothing someone like her—who hasn’t figured things out—can say to Seiji, who’s fighting to make his dream come true.

I bet many people can relate and think, “Exactly!” By the way, after talking with her friend, Shizuku resolves, “Then I’ll work hard too so I can cheer Seiji on!”

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Go wherever you like and live as you please.San 'Princess Mononoke'

I’d like to introduce a famous quote from San, the protagonist of the film Princess Mononoke.

San is a 15-year-old human girl raised by the wolf gods.

Believing herself to be a wolf, she fights against the humans who are destroying the forest.

One day, the curse placed upon her by a god worsens, and she tends to Ashitaka, a human who has been injured.

When she thinks Ashitaka can no longer be saved, she says these words to Yakul, Ashitaka’s animal companion.

Yakul never left Ashitaka’s side.

He chose to live by Ashitaka’s side.

These are words I hope you’ll remember when you have a decision to make.

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You know the saying: true masters don’t let the place limit them.Sophie “Howl’s Moving Castle”

These are the words Sophie said to motivate a reluctant Calcifer to help her move.

It feels as if he’s being told he’s a genius, and that gets Calcifer going.

Anyone would want to prove their competence if they heard something like that, and it makes you feel like you can do anything! When things don’t go well, remembering these words might give you the push to try something new or go somewhere new.

It’s also a perfect encouragement for someone who’s lost confidence.

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No one can change fate. But you can decide whether to just wait or to step forward yourself.Hii-sama “Princess Mononoke”

Hii-sama is the village’s elder and shaman where Ashitaka lived.

These are stirring words she spoke to Ashitaka, who was cursed and likely to lose his life in the near future.

While the future itself may not be changeable, you can choose whether to simply wait for death or to take action to resolve things.

Hearing these words, Ashitaka decides to leave the village.

Even when something seems beyond your own power, encounters and experiences might change your fate.

Precisely because we find ourselves in difficult situations, we should strive to have the courage to take the first step.

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