What is a Studio Ghibli Movie?
Studio Ghibli is an acclaimed animated studio based in Tokyo, Japan, renowned for its enchanting hand-drawn animation and imaginative storytelling. The studio’s films are celebrated for their lush visuals and deeply emotional narratives, often exploring themes of wonder, nostalgia, nature, childhood, and self-discovery.
"Studio Ghibli feels" evoke a special kind of warmth and bittersweet emotion. These films transport viewers to whimsical worlds, where landscapes are awe-inspiring, and themes of love, loss, growing up, and the passage of time are explored.
Here are 15 Books That Make You Feel Like You Are in a Studio Ghibli Movie:
1. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
In the bustling city of Tokyo, five strangers, each feeling lost in their own way, find themselves drawn to a local library. Here, they encounter Sayuri Komachi, a librarian with a rare gift for recommending just the right book to match their needs. As they interact with Komachi and the books she suggests, they embark on a journey of self-discovery. This touching novel is more than just a story about books; it’s about the profound impact a thoughtful recommendation can have on one's life, offering solace and new perspectives in times of uncertainty.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Books about Books, Short Stories.
2. Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
Sentaro’s life is a monotonous cycle of routine and regret as he works in a small shop selling dorayaki, a type of sweet pancake. His world changes dramatically when Tokue, an elderly woman with a mysterious past and disfigured hands, arrives at the shop. Tokue’s sweet bean paste is exceptional, and she offers to teach Sentaro the art of making it. As their relationship deepens, Sentaro’s life begins to shift. However, Tokue’s own troubled past threatens their newfound happiness. This novel beautifully weaves themes of redemption, the weight of past mistakes, and the healing power of true friendship.
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Food.
3. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
In a quiet Tokyo café, patrons have the extraordinary opportunity to travel back in time—but only for a brief period, as they must return before their coffee gets cold. The novel follows four individuals who use the café’s time-traveling service to revisit moments from their past, each with a personal and poignant reason. The story explores what people might change if given the chance to revisit old memories and confront unresolved feelings, all while navigating the café’s magical constraints and the emotional consequences of their journeys.
Genre: Fantasy, Time Travel, Magical Realism, Short Stories.
4. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
Mina’s homeland is plagued by relentless storms and disasters, believed to be the wrath of the Sea God. To appease him, a beautiful maiden is sacrificed each year. On the night of the latest sacrifice, Mina leaps into the sea in place of the chosen maiden to save her brother, who was destined to follow her. Transported to the Spirit Realm—a realm filled with gods, mythical creatures, and magical landscapes—Mina discovers the Sea God is in an enchanted slumber. With the help of a mysterious ally and a host of otherworldly beings, she embarks on a quest to awaken him and end the devastation. This enchanting tale blends myth and adventure, exploring themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the search for redemption.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology.
5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Linus Baker is a caseworker for magical children, living a meticulously ordered life. His routine is disrupted when he’s assigned to investigate an orphanage housing six extraordinary children with potentially dangerous abilities. The orphanage is run by the enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, whose unconventional methods challenge Linus’s rigid beliefs. As Linus gets to know the children and their caretaker, he begins to question what he thought he knew about magic and family. This heartwarming fantasy explores themes of acceptance, love, and the courage to embrace the unconventional.
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, LGBTQ.
6. Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
Wallace Price, a successful but self-centered lawyer, dies unexpectedly and finds himself at a tea house for the recently deceased. The tea house, run by the enigmatic Hugo, is a place for souls to make peace before moving on. Wallace must confront his past mistakes and unresolved regrets with Hugo’s guidance and the help of eccentric staff and visiting spirits. This touching and imaginative novel delves into themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love and kindness, set against a whimsical and poignant afterlife.
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal.
7. The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
Satoru, facing a life-changing situation, sets off on a journey across Japan with his loyal cat, Nana. Each stop on their trip revisits old friends and acquaintances, unraveling their shared history and deepening their bond. Told partly from Nana’s perspective, this moving story explores themes of friendship, love, and the enduring impact of the past. It’s a heartfelt narrative about the connection between a pet and its owner and the transformative power of their journey together.
Genre: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Cats.
8. The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
Rintaro Natsuki inherits his grandfather’s second-hand bookstore, struggling to keep it open while dealing with his grief. His life takes a magical turn when a talking cat named Tiger appears, revealing a mission to save the world of books from a looming threat. Rintaro and Tiger embark on whimsical literary adventures, exploring different book-related realms and challenges. This delightful novel celebrates the joy of reading and the importance of preserving the stories that shape our lives, blending a love for literature with a fantastical quest.
Genre: Books about Books, Magical Realism, Cats.
9. Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Jang Hye-jin
Set in Seoul’s Hyunam-dong neighborhood, this novel revolves around a cozy independent bookstore facing financial difficulties. The story highlights the bookshop’s impact on its owner and loyal patrons, weaving their personal struggles with the shop’s role as a sanctuary. It’s a celebration of literature and community, showing how a beloved bookstore can provide solace and foster connections in challenging times.
Genre: Literary Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Books about Books.
10. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Riku, after experiencing setbacks, discovers solace in the Morisaki Bookshop, a quaint store run by the wise Mr. Morisaki. The books recommended by Mr. Morisaki help Riku find inspiration and reassess his life’s direction. This gentle novel emphasizes the transformative power of literature and the comfort found in a cherished bookstore, highlighting how books and personal connections can guide one’s journey of self-discovery.
Genre: Books about Books, Literary Fiction, Contemporary.
11. The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
In Kyoto, a unique detective agency solves culinary mysteries, combining the art of cooking with the thrill of investigation. Run by a brilliant chef, the agency tackles cases involving gourmet dishes and rare ingredients. The novel blends cozy mystery with the sensory pleasure of food, celebrating the traditions and culture of Kyoto’s culinary scene through engaging and flavorful storytelling.
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Contemporary Fiction.
12. Door to Door Bookshop by Carsten Henn
A traveling bookshop brings literature to various neighborhoods, transforming lives through its roaming visits. The warm-hearted woman who runs the shop shares her love of reading with the community, offering comfort and hope. This uplifting novel underscores the power of books and human connection, showing how a mobile bookstore can enrich lives and foster relationships through its simple yet profound mission.
Genre: Books about Books, Literary Fiction.
13. Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
Kokoro, a teenager bullied at school and feeling isolated, discovers a magical mirror that transports her to an enchanting castle. There, she and six other teens face personal challenges and work together to solve the castle’s mysteries. The novel uses its fantasy setting as a metaphor for personal growth, exploring themes of loneliness, friendship, and self-discovery through a captivating and imaginative narrative.
Genre: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Mental Health.
14. The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino
A group of delinquents seeking refuge in an abandoned general store discovers letters seeking advice from the store’s former owner. Intrigued, they read the letters and find themselves connected to the lives of the letter writers. This novel intertwines mystery and magical realism, exploring themes of kindness, redemption, and the unexpected ways people’s lives intersect through small acts of compassion.
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism, Mystery.
15. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Nora Seed, unhappy with her life and facing personal and professional failures, decides to end her life. In the afterlife, she finds a magical library where each book represents an alternate version of her life based on different choices she could have made. Guided by the librarian Mrs. Elm, Nora explores these alternate lives and learns about what truly matters to her. This poignant and hopeful novel explores the possibilities of life and the importance of finding peace with one’s choices.
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Magical Realism
These fifteen books, much like Studio Ghibli films, invite readers into worlds filled with wonder, emotional depth, and heartfelt connections. Whether through magical realism, fantasy, or poignant narratives, each story offers a unique experience that resonates with the gentle, introspective spirit of Studio Ghibli's masterpieces. Dive into these novels to experience the same warmth and enchantment that defines the beloved animated studio's films.
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