MYTHICAL UNIVERSES AND LOGICAL UNIVERSES. THE DISTINCT WORLDS OF STUDIO GHIBLI

Abstract

The following essay outlines the differences in Studio Ghibli’s creative strategies by pointing out not only constructions of the various universes, but also other topics and ideas on the structure and plot of the texts. The author distinguishes the two worlds in Ghibli films, falling into either of the two categories: a mythical reality or a logical reality. The first category relates to the miraculous events and the wide variety of vivid characters; these are mainly found in the works of the studio’s founder, Hayao Miyazaki. The logical realities, on the other hand, are characteristic of the works of Isao Takahata, Miyazaki’s best friend. Takahata creates stories populated with everyday, down-to-earth characters, set up in a more or less contemporary Japanese reality.