Why do Ghibli romances stand out? Why is it that Hayao Miyazaki’s love stories make one feel butterflies in the stomach, the kind that no amount of typical romances can? Even though the physical intimacy between the characters is rarely ever portrayed, these anime films can still reign in their audience.
So how do the characters in Hayao Miyazaki’s films connect so perfectly with each other? How is he able to achieve what most love stories can’t? The answer is simpler than one might think.
Physical displays of love are never the highlights in Hayao Miyazaki’s films
If one watches all of Hayao Miyazaki‘s movies, one might notice that only a few films have characters who kiss each other. The couples in The Wind Rises and Howl’s Moving Castle kiss each other, but these scenes aren’t the ones that make their love more memorable.
In The Wind Rises, one of the highest displays of love is when Jiro holds the hand of his ailing wife while designing an aircraft. He promises her that he would never let go and even goes to the extent of working with a single hand with complex geometric tools. This heartwarming scene shows Jiro’s commitment to his wife.
Similarly, in Howl’s Moving Castle, Howl takes Sophie to see his secret garden. They shared a special moment together, which strengthened their relationship. In fact, the joy of sharing the moment even rejuvenated Sophie temporarily. Both movies have scenes where the couples share a kiss, yet they are nowhere as romantic as these scenes in which the characters prove their love to their partners.
Hayao Miyazaki prioritizes mutual growth instead of displays of physical affection
Physical intimacy is out of the question for Ghibli movies, and that might be mostly because Miyazaki’s works are mostly meant for children. But at the same time, it does not affect the way that romance is portrayed in the films. Instead, Miyazaki shows how love can transform people into the best version of themselves.
In Ghibli films, love means that two characters would mature together spiritually. The conversion from friendship to love is smooth and effortless. And under no circumstances are they inferior to pop culture representations of romance.
In every Ghibli romance, the audience is rewarded with watching the couple spend their lives together. Even the most mundane of acts are glorified to show love. Just like how Jiro held his wife’s hand throughout the night, even if it would considerably slow down his work. Let’s be honest: how many people would actually be able to do it with a war and a deadline hanging on the horizon?
In Whisper of the Heart, Seiji, and Shizuku connect to each other with their artistic sensibilities. They admire each other’s works and encourage each other to achieve the best versions of themselves. Maybe that’s what love is truly about, and Hayao Miyazaki has discovered the formula that many fail to realize.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
