Marked with the curse of a rampaging boar god, young Ashitaka sets off on a journey to cure his mysterious affliction. From behind the walls of an iron-mining town, Lady Eboshi arises to smash all obstacles to technological development. And from out of the forest comes Princess Mononoke, driven by a hatred of all humans. Can she and Ashitaka ally in time to stop the wild lands from being destroyed? The film comic of the epic masterpiece that captured audiences worldwide, with breathtaking imagination and true humanity, now in hardcover format!
What makes Studio Ghibli movies so special? Could be the whimsical animation style, the deceptively deep themes, or the broad appeal among age groups. Surely it’s some combination of all of those. We are fortunate to have these films to cherish. Still, there are other artists and writers who work in similar modes. And I’ve gathered some comics for you to demonstrate just that.
Among these books, you will find artwork filled with expressive faces, fantastical creatures, and detailed settings that draw on nature and folklore both. You’ll find many stories that center children, but aren’t necessarily children’s stories. One of my favorite features of Studio Ghibli films is the way they honor children as people with agency who face complex moral situations and even real danger.
A younger person can relate to the main characters in these books while appreciating the broad strokes of the plot and the beautiful artwork. At the same time, an adult reader can reflect on their own childhood or the one they’re providing for the next generation. Indeed, intergenerational stories pop up quite often here. The lives of older people get attention and interrogation, too, both within Studio Ghibli movies and the books on this list.
However you like your Studio Ghibli movies, you’re sure to find a book in this collection that appeals to you. I’ve even done my best to draw direct comparisons to films.
Call the Name of the Night by Tama Mitsuboshi, lettered by Lys Blakeslee and translated by Amanda Haley
If you like Studio Ghibli movies that imbue a slice-of-life story with fantastical elements, like Kiki’s Delivery Service, you might like Call of the Name of the Night. The story follows Mira, who has the power to inflict darkness on the world if she chooses to do so. She seeks out a doctor who might cure this curse. Like many Studio Ghibli films, the fantasy elements are rich with possible interpretations, and the main character faces real stakes.
Temple Alley Summer by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illustrated by Miho Satake and translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa
While this book isn’t exactly a comic, it is an illustrated novel and I’m recommending it wholeheartedly. In the way Spirited Away has a character who has found herself on the fringes between worlds, this book’s main character Kazu knows something strange is going on. There’s a girl named Akari in school whom he doesn’t remember meeting, although everyone else does. Whether she’s a ghost, a zombie, or something else is up for Kazu to discover.
Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto, illustrated by Ann Xu
In Studio Ghibli films, older people often get important roles. In Shadow Life, elder queer Kumiko gets to be the protagonist. Her adult daughters put her in assisted living, but she breaks out. One problem: the shadow of Death has followed her from her former residence. Both a slice-of-life story and an existential battle, this story is as powerful as it is quirky.
Monster Friends by Kaeti Vandorn
It’s leisurely paced. It’s got cute monsters. My Neighbor Totoro? No, Monster Friends! Reggie is a more reserved creature, but his friendly neighbor Emily is determined to take him on adventures. These blobby shapeshifters learn about the nature of friendship and being true to themselves. For budding artists, the back matter in the book teaches youngsters how to draw the characters from this book and how to create their own.
Love, Misha by Askel Aden
This YA graphic novel has earned comparisons to Spirited Away. It’s no surprise, considering the plot involves Misha and their mom going on a road trip and ending up in the spirit realm. Whereas Spirited Away separates Chihiro from her parents so she can come of age, Love, Misha forces Misha and their mother to work together to find their way back home.
Tidesong by Wendy Xu
If you’re a Ponyo fan, here’s the book for you. I love stories where kids’ mistakes have real consequences that they have to work through. Here, Sophie wields her magic despite her lack of experience and ends up entangling herself with a water dragon named Lir. Sophie grapples with how to help Lir regain his memories while also hoping to take advantage of his magical acumen to ace her exams. As much as I appreciate the heartfelt messages in this book, I also loved poring over the beautiful sea creatures.
If you’re looking for more books and comics in this vein, I’m happy to tell you there’s very little overlap between this list and my other list of books for fans of Miyazaki films, as well as this list of Studio Ghibli-esque books and YA comics for Studio Ghibli fans. Get ready to max out your whimsy while simultaneously pondering life’s biggest questions!
English (US) · 