Ghibli and the studio's lead director Hayao Miyazaki have been famous for their inspiring feminist female characters for decades now. They created some of the bravest female anime characters ever who inspired generations of viewers to embrace who they are and don't be afraid to stand up for themselves and others.

RELATED: Anime Movies To Watch If You Loved Bubble

However, these Studio Ghibli movies gave fans much more than well-crafted characters since they also produce anime movies with stunning visuals and immersive stories that make their films unforgettable for fans of all ages. These stories often feature not only one but multiple great female characters with opposing viewpoints as well as with loving and supportive relationships, which makes these stories so lovable and unique.

8 Satsuki - My Neighbor Totoro

Satsuki in My Neighbor Totoro

Satsuki is Ghibli's most curious tomboy who's filled with energy and loves to explore the world. Despite Satsuki's young age, she's quite responsible, and she's always there for her sister and helps out at home, even though she has to process and deal with difficult things too.

As Satsuki and her sister, Mei, explore the nature surrounding their new home, they discover that spirits are living there. The two girls build a friendship with them, especially with Totoro, who helps them through some of the hardships of life, including their mom's hospitalization.

7 Arrietty – The Secret World of Arrietty

Arrietty in The Secret World of Arrietty

Arrietty is Ghibli's tiniest teen, but she's also one of the most inspiring characters, thanks to her adventurous spirit and considerate nature. Despite her small size Arrietty has big dreams and wants to explore the far-reaching and enormous world around her that's filled with things that could easily kill her.

This brave Borrower and her parents live under the floorboard of a house in Tokyo. Arriety and other borrowers hide from humans for their own safety. However, she breaks this rule when she befriends the young boy who lives in the house, even though this might put her family's home and existence in jeopardy.

6 Sheeta – Laputa: Castle in the SkySheeta in Laputa: Castle in the Sky

Despite Sheeta's shy and quiet nature, she bravely embraced her responsibilities and faced all the dangers to save what's left of her once majestic kingdom, Laputa. She's also a polite and kind character who cares for others even when things are hectic around her.

Laputa: Castle in the Sky's story follows her adventures as she tries to escape her kidnaper and a scary gang of pirates who want her mysterious amulet around her neck that shows the way to Laputa's secret location. Sheeta befriends Pazu, a young boy who helps her on her adventure-filled journey.

5 San - Princess Mononoke

 San in Princess Mononoke

San is one of the best and bravest fighters of Ghibli. Princess Mononoke not only has brilliant female characters, but it's also one of the most thought-provoking anime about the beauty of nature and what will happen if humans selfishly keep destroying and killing the forest and its creatures. While San is a hot-headed young girl, she's also fiercely protective of everyone she loves and bravely faces even the most dangerous enemies.

The story of Princess Mononoke follows Ashitaka as he gets injured by an animal attack and goes on a journey to seek a cure from a forest god. During his adventures, he meets San and realizes that humans have been ravaging the earth far too long, and that's why the balance between the human and spirit world is shattered.

4 Nausicaa - Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind

Nausicaa flying in Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind

Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind is one of the best post-apocalyptic anime ever created, filled with great characters and a story that's both heartbreaking and inspiring, just like its main character's storyline. Nausicaa is a heroic leader who's a skillful fighter and wants peace despite growing up in a world where she had to fight to stay alive and protect others every day.

RELATED: Video Games To Play If You Are A Studio Ghibli Fan

Her story is set far in the future, where the world's ecosystem was destroyed and where barely any humans managed to stay alive. Now they have to hide in the small areas that are still livable for humans and hide from the creatures of the Toxic Jungle that covers most of the Earth. Nausicaa discovers that she's able to communicate with the seemingly dangerous creatures and decides to use her powers to bring back peace to all Earth's living creatures.

3 Kiki - Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki flying in Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki might not be one of the strongest anime witches, but she's certainly the most inspiring one. This 13-year-old witch is one of the most independent and joyous characters of Ghibli. Kiki's Delivery Service follows her story as she moves to a big town with her cat Jiji for a year.

While there are no monsters or life-threatening adventures in this movie, Kiki still has to make wise decisions, stay brave, and be extremely responsible for such a young kid. Thanks to her curious and kind-hearted nature, she makes a few friends and sets up her flying courier service after she learns how to fly her broomstick.

2 Chihiro Ogino - Spirited Away

Chihiro and No Face in Spirited-Away

Chihiro is one of Ghibli's youngest characters who has to go through some pretty challenging situations alone. Spirited Away is one of the most celebrated anime with female protagonists and the most well-known one too. Chihiro is just an ordinary 10-year-old when her parents are suddenly turned into pigs in an abandoned amusement park that connects the human world with the spirit realm.

Chihiro learns that her parents never should have eaten the spirits' food and that she has to take a job in the spirit bathhouse if she wants to free her parents and get home. While Chihiro starts out as a bad-tempered and selfish kid, she turns into a responsible and more caring character thanks to her time at the bathhouse.

1 Sophie Hatter - Howl's Moving Castle

Sophie and Howl in Howl's Moving Castle

Sophie is Ghibli's most lovable and inspiring character who never gives up on herself or others. While she's far from gullible, she always chooses to see the good in others and remain positive even during the hardest times. She's also a reliable and dutiful person who likes to feel useful and is not afraid to point out others' mistakes to help them grow.

Howl's Moving Castle is the most magical anime set in Europe with a wonderful and motivating story and creative characters. The story follows Sophie, who has to leave her home after an evil witch's curse turns her into an old woman. She finds herself a job in the wizard Howl's moving castle. As Sophie builds a strong friendship with Howl and the other occupants of the castle, they all help each other accept and love their true selves.

MORE: All Studio Ghibli Movies (Not By Hayao Miyazaki)