Anime creatures are some of the cutest fictional characters in the history of fiction. Studio Ghibli has produced countless entities over the last four decades, many of which are extremely adorable — far more than most real-life animals. Ghibli has also created a number of macabre creatures, but they only make their sugary counterparts seem cuter in comparison.
These beings play various roles in their respective movies: some of them are essential to the plot, some are symbolic representations within the narrative, and some are simply background entities whose existence is open to interpretation. Most importantly, it doesn’t matter if their cuteness is rooted in context because audiences are going to love them anyway.
10 The Gardener Robot Sacrifices Itself For Cheeta — Castle In The Sky (1986)
The robots from Laputa are humanoid entities powered by a mystical substance known as Aetherium. They perform a range of preset tasks, from taking part in battle to hosting new arrivals to the sky-island.
These robots have mismatched eyes and disproportionate anatomies, further augmenting their cuteness. Depending on the situation, they can be tender or hostile, but the Gardener robot is particularly endearing because of its bravery and courage.
9 Teto Becomes Nausicaä’s Dear Friend And Travel Companion — Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984)
Princess Nausicaä often leaves the Valley of the Wind to explore the regions surrounding her kingdom, including the Ocean of Salt and the Toxic Jungle. Her world resembles a partially healed post-apocalyptic landscape and is packed with creatures of every bizarre variety.
One of them, a sweet Fox Squirrel known as Teto, becomes Nausicaä’s dear friend and travel companion. Teto doesn’t warm up to her instantly, but their eventual relationship is forged in the spirit of adventure. Unfortunately, Ohma’s radiation aura results in Teto’s heartbreaking death.
8 The Catbus Is Weird And Adorable In Equal Measure — My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
The Catbus is arguably one of the weirder creatures designed by Studio Ghibli — it appears to be of feline origin, except with 12 limbs and a hollow torso. This animal might be a reference to 化け猫, which means bakeneko or “altered cat,” a myth that revolves around shape-changing cats.
The Catbus is much like the Knight Bus in Harry Potter in that both of them tend to pop in and out of existence freely. This adorable animal-vehicle hybrid might be a forest spirit with a predilection for helping lost children, although this part is unconfirmed.
7 The Otori-Sama Pleasantly Mind Their Own Business In The Bathhouse — Spirited Away (2001)
The Otori-Sama are said to be attendants of Otori, a deity located at the Otori-daimyojin shrine in Osaka. Interestingly, the word “Otori” can be translated to mean a number of different things, including “large bird” and “key performer.”
The Otori-Sama are enormous duck-like birds who indulge in the comforts provided by Yubaba’s legendary Bathhouse. They are extremely cute, pleasantly bobbing up and down or spinning in place as they wash themselves in bathtubs.
6 Turnip-Head Is Extra Cute When He Hops From One Place To Another — Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Turnip Head is actually a Prince suffering from a scarecrow curse, but this doesn’t stop him from lending his lifelong assistance to Sophie after she rescues him. Despite his unchanging expression and splayed arms, Turnip Head is a genuinely kind being who wants to help other people.
He travels by jumping one step at a time, almost as if on a pogo-stick, a set of stilted movements that make him look even cuter. Turnip Head is exceptionally handsome in human form, as well.
5 The Tanuki Are Fun-Loving Creatures Who Spend Their Time Making Music And Merry — Pom Poko (1994)
The Tanuki are Japanese raccoon dogs, adorable animals that have been a part of mythological folklore for over a millennium. In Pom Poko, the Tanuki desperately attempt to save their lands from encroaching humans.
These gentle creatures and their rebellion are an ecological analogy for the man versus nature literary argument that has been gaining public traction in recent times. The Tanuki are fun-loving creatures who spend their time making music and merry.
4 Jiji’s Cuteness Receives A Major Boost When He Begins Courting Lily — Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Hayao Miyazaki has stated that Jiji seems out of place “when he’s assertive […] because he’s not very independent,” and that Jiji “represents an immature part of” Kiki. Regardless of character analysis, the fact is that Jiji is essential to Kiki’s journey towards adulthood and self-reliance.
His already significant reserves of cuteness are magnified when he begins courting Lily, a beautiful neighbor cat. Both of them eventually start a family together, much to Kiki’s delight.
3 The Kodama Are Translucent Forest Spirits With Uniquely Mutable Facial Features — Princess Mononoke (1997)
Princess Mononoke is filled to the brim with symbols and metaphors, such as the ghostly Kodama. These partially translucent entities are more-or-less shaped like the iconic Pillsbury Doughboy, but with mutable facial features.
The Kodama are supposedly a marker for the overall health of the environment — the greater their number, the stronger the forest. Miyazaki has confirmed that the surviving Kodama at the conclusion of the film goes on to become Totoro.
2 Totoro Radiates Warmth And Affection From Every Hair On His Body — My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Totoro and his mini companions are among the cutest creatures in Studio Ghibli history, so much so that he has become synonymous with the animation studio. Totoro’s motivation is unknown, but his actions in the movie demonstrate his universal goodwill.
He helps Satsuki and Mei grow their acorns into a gigantic tree and plays calming melodies on his personal flute. Totoro radiates warmth and affection from every hair, every whisker, every pore of his magical body.
1 The Susuwatari Are Especially Cute When They Work In Lockstep — Spirited Away & My Neighbor Totoro
The Susuwatari, more popularly known as the Soot Sprites, are tiny spherical lifeforms that emerge from chimney soot. They usually float around in mid-air, occasionally extending limb-like appendages in order to carry items.
Susuwatari don’t use human speech, but resort to a range of adorable squeaks and squeals to communicate their emotions. While there are hundreds or thousands of Susuwatari at any given point, all of them are equally cute, especially when they work in conjunction.
About The Author
