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 so than most real-life animals. Ghibli has also created a number of ghoulish creatures, but they just make their sugary counterparts look cuter by comparison.
These beings play various roles in their respective films: 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. The most important thing is that it doesn’t matter if their cuteness is rooted in the context because the audience will love them anyway.
10 The gardening robot sacrifices himself for Cheeta – Castle In The Sky (1986)
Laputa’s robots are humanoid entities powered by a mystical substance known as Aetherium. They perform a variety of pre-arranged tasks, from engaging in battle to welcoming newcomers to the sky island.
These robots have mismatched eyes and disproportionate anatomies, further adding to their cuteness. Depending on the situation, they can be cute or hostile, but the Gardener robot is particularly endearing for its bravery and courage.
9 Teto becomes Nausicaä’s dear friend and traveling 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 Salt Ocean and the Toxic Jungle. Her world resembles a partially healed post-apocalyptic landscape and is teeming with creatures of all strange varieties.
One of them, a sweet squirrel fox known as Teto, becomes Nausicaä’s dear friend and traveling companion. Teto doesn’t instantly warm to her, but her eventual relationship is forged in the spirit of adventure. Unfortunately, Ohma’s radiation aura results in Teto’s heartbreaking death.
8 The Catbus is equal parts weird and lovable — My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
The Catbus is arguably one of the strangest creatures designed by Studio Ghibli: it appears to be of feline origin, except that it has 12 limbs and a hollow torso. This animal could be a reference to 化け猫, which means bakeneko or “altered cat”, a myth that revolves around cats that change their shape.
The Gatobús is very similar to the Knight Bus in Harry Potter in which both tend to appear and disappear freely. This adorable animal-vehicle hybrid could be a forest spirit with a penchant for helping lost children, though this part is unconfirmed.
7 The Otori-sama pleasantly mind their own business at the bathhouse – Spirited Away (2001)
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 “big bird” and “key artist.”
The Otori-Sama are huge duck-like birds that enjoy the comforts provided by Yubaba’s legendary bathhouse. They are extremely cute, nicely rocking up and down or spinning in place while being washed in the tubs.
6 Turnip-Head is very cute when he jumps 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 help to Sophie after she rescues him. Despite his unchanging expression and open arms, Turnip Head is a genuinely kind being who wants to help other people.
He travels by jumping one step at a time, almost like he’s on a pogo-stick, a series of forced movements that make him look even cuter. Turnip Head is also exceptionally handsome in human form.
5 The Tanuki are fun-loving creatures who spend their time making music and being merry – Pom Poko (1994)
Tanuki are Japanese raccoon dogs, lovable animals that have been a part of mythological folklore for over a millennium. On pom pom roomthe Tanuki desperately try to save their land from human encroachment.
These gentle creatures and their rebellion are an ecological analogy for the literary argument of man against nature that has been gaining ground in recent times. Tanuki are fun-loving creatures who spend their time making music and having fun.
4 Jiji’s cuteness gets a big boost when he starts courting Lily – Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Hayao Miyazaki has stated that Jiji seems out of place “when he is assertive […] because she’s not very independent,” and that Jiji “represents an immature part of” Kiki. Regardless of character analysis, the fact remains that Jiji is essential to Kiki’s journey toward adulthood and self-sufficiency.
His already significant reserves of cuteness are magnified when he begins courting Lily, a beautiful neighbor cat. The two eventually start a family together, much to Kiki’s delight.
3 The Kodama are translucent forest spirits with unique mutable facial features – Princess Mononoke (1997)
princess mononoke it is full of symbols and metaphors, like the ghostly Kodama. These partially translucent entities are roughly in the shape of the iconic Pillsbury Doughboy, but with mutable facial features.
The Kodama are supposedly a marker of the general health of the environment: the greater their number, the stronger the forest. Miyazaki has confirmed that the surviving Kodama at the end of the film turns into Totoro.
two 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 it has become synonymous with the animation studio. Totoro’s motivation is unknown, but his actions in the film demonstrate his universal goodwill.
Help Satsuki and Mei grow their acorns into a giant tree and play soothing melodies on their personal flute. Totoro radiates warmth and affection from every hair, every mustache, every pore of his magical body.
1 The Susuwatari are especially cute when they work together: Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro
The Susuwatari, more popularly known as the soot sprites, are tiny spherical lifeforms that emerge from the soot of the chimney. They generally float in the air and occasionally extend limb-like appendages to carry objects.
Susuwatari doesn’t use human speech, instead resorting to a series of adorable squeals and squeaks to communicate her emotions. While there are hundreds or thousands of Susuwatari at any given time, they are all equally cute, especially when they work together.
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