Studio Ghibli is one of the best loved animation studios in Japan and home to some of animated film’s most highly regarded titles. The studio’s film portfolio makes for great tattoo designs.
Under the stewardship of acclaimed director and animator Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli film is responsible for the 2002 Academy Award Winning Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro (Japan loves its mascots, and the Studio uses Totoro as its chief totem), Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke.
These titles, and individual characters from within the studio’s films, such as Haku the Dragon, the Soot Sprites, Kodama, and Totoro, have allowed tattoo collectors to access meaningful tattoo designs relating to the characters and films of Miyazaki.
The following gallery of inspiring anime and Japanese-themed tattoo art form the basis of the top 55 best Studio Ghibli tattoo ideas.
1. Haku Tattoo Ideas
2. Kodama Tattoos
3. Ponyo Tattoos
4. Princess Mononoke Tattoo Art
5. Soot Sprite Tattoo Design Ideas
6. Spirited Away Tattoo Ideas
7. Totoro Tattoos
What are the most popular character tattoos from Studio Ghibli Films?
Studio Ghibli has created a vast array of memorable characters with meaningful symbolic descriptions that can appeal to tattoo lovers. The most popular ink ideas include:
- Haku – The dragon Haku also takes the form of a human boy but is a river spirit who saved the life of the main character Chihiro in Spirited Away
- Soot Sprites – Also known as susuwatari, these creatures feature in Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro as dwellers of empty houses
- Kodama – Kodama are spirits in Japanese folklore (and Princess Mononoke) that inhabit trees. If they are prevalent it means your forest is healthy
- No Face is a spirit and a secondary antagonist in Spirited Away. He reacts to emotions by ingesting other individuals in order to gain their personality and physical traits.
What is the symbolism of Spirited Away tattoos?
Identity is one of the key themes of Spirited Away that is reflected in a lot of good tattoo designs. The concept is expressed in Chihiro losing her name to Yubaba, or Haku remembering he is really a water spirit.
No Face symbolizes how children form an identity based on the people around them.
Another important part or identity in Spirited Away‘s plot is a commentary on the profound cultural shift that took place in post-war Japan, which is shown in a lot of more subtle designs.
What do Princess Mononoke tattoos symbolize?
Princess Mononoke is not a name but the Japanese word for a spirit or monster, concepts that are popular for tattoo enthusiasts.
A Mononoke is a supernatural shapeshifting being – think of wolf Moro, who takes in the masked main character San – more human in aspect than the Oni demon or Kitsune animal spirit, and one of many mythical creatures central to Japanese folklore.
What do Totoro tattoos symbolize?
The cuddly Totoro is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest creations and inspiration for numerous tattoos. It even serves as Studio Ghibli’s mascot.
Totoro exemplifies characteristics of many different Japanese animations that have crossed over into mainstream consciousness.
A friendly and benevolent forest spirit, Totoro displays many characteristics of the naturist religion Shintoism that appeals to western sensibilities.
His distinctive look – all cuddly fur and wide smiles – appeals to children and adults.