15 familiar Anime/Ghibli animated films are actually adapted from novels and comics 1
1. Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle is an Anime film adapted from the novel of the same name by author Diana W. Jones.
2. Grave of Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is adapted from the novel of the same name by writer Akiyuki Nosaka, based on war experiences during World War II.
3. Dear Marnie (When Marnie was there)
Based on the novel of the same name by author Joan G. Robinson in 1967, the film was nominated for an Oscar for best animated film in 2015. The film revolves around a sick girl Anna and Marnie – a mysterious girl.
4. Arrietty’s Secret World
The film directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi is adapted from the novel The Little Borrowers by Mary Norton, published in 1952. The story revolves around the world of little people who borrow things from people.
5. The little witch KiKi (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
The anime series tells the story of the little witch KiKi, who uses her flying ability to deliver goods and help people in town.
6. Tales from Earthsea
Tales from Earthsea is a story about magicians on a journey to rescue magic at the end of the world.
7. Only Yesterday (Only Yesterday)
The Anime film directed by Isao Takahata is adapted from the manga of the same name by Horatu Okamoto and Yuko Tone, with the main character Taeko, a 27-year-old girl.
8. Porco Rosso
Porco Rosso is an Anime series released in 1992 by Ghibli, based on the story of the flying boat (The Age of the Flying Boat) – a 3-part comic series drawn by Hayao Miyazaki in watercolor.
9. The Princess in the Valley of the Wind
The Princess in the Valley of the Wind is also an Anime adapted from Miyazaki’s hand-drawn comic book, including 7 chapters, set 1000 years after the collapse of human industrial civilization.
10. The Cat’s Return (The Cat’s Return)
In 2002, Ghibli released the film The Cats’ Return, based on the famous Japanese manga of the same name written by female artist Aoi Hiiragi.
11. Whisper of the Heart
This is also another Ghibli Anime film adapted from a comic by Aoi Hiiragi.
12. English Rose Hill
Adapted from the manga From Coquelicot Hill by Tetsuro Sayama and Chizuru Takahashi in 1980, the anime series The Hill of English Roses received the love of many audiences, revolving around Matsuzaki Umi – a 16-year-old female student living in a
13. The Wind Rises
The Wind Has Risen (2013) is an Anime film adapted from the comic of the same name by author Hayao Miyazaki, based on the short story The Wind Has Risen by Tatsuo Hori and the life of Jiro Horikoshi – a Japanese aircraft designer in the 1990s.
14. How do you live?
Upcoming, Ghibli’s upcoming film directed by Hayao Miyazaki is adapted from the novel How Do You Live by writer Yoshino Genzaburo.
15. Earwig and the Witch
Recently, Ghibli also announced an adaptation of the book Earwig and the Witch by Diana W. Jones, but the release was postponed due to the impact of Covid 19. This is Ghibli’s first film made entirely with props.
