r/ghibli 8h ago

Question Which Studio Ghibli male character do you think is the best written, and why?

https://youtu.be/m4-0iI4uZNw
Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

u/Batzeus99 8h ago

My choice is Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke. He has a strong sense of honor and duty, and i love the moments where he struggles to control his rage while advocating to prevent violence. I love how considerate he is to others and their struggles, he also listens and reflects on what others tell him showing how emotionally mature he is. He is brave and strong, facing every challenge head on and with great conviction. Hes pretty awesome

u/SpiffyShindigs 7h ago

Eyes unclouded? 🤣🤣🤣

u/PandaMarkII 6h ago

heard that in Eboshi's voice lol

u/Injured-Ginger 4h ago

He was also a rare middle ground. The entire film made a point of showing even industrialization for the value it provides. Usually in man vs nature pieces of media, they make the industrial side unnecessarily evil. Lady Eboshi uses industrialization to make a safe place for her people.

Ashitaka doesn't show up and immediately condemn them. He even joins them and participates in their way of life. The story (and him as a part of it) are actually understanding of why people might make choices that harm the environment, seeking peace, safety, and happiness. He doesn't inherently condemn either side, but seeks to create a middle ground.

u/unromantical 2h ago

I was super impressed with how Ashitaka was able to maintain a middle ground but not be neutral. He had his own opinions, beliefs and made decisions.

u/lostedeneloi 36m ago

I like Ashitaka but he isn't really much of a multi faceted character and typically always does the honorable thing and only rarely shows any real flaw or emotion.

I would pick Porco from Porco Rosso as his best written male character.

u/JohnnyNemo12 6h ago

Porco from Porco Rosso.

The way that his character exposes grief and survivors guilt is what takes that movie from:
1st watch: “what a fun movie!”
To
4th watch: “war is hell… but the soil can survive!!”

u/Noman9410 6h ago

“No thanks. I’d rather be a pig than a fascist.”

and

“No, the good guys were the ones who died. Or maybe I’m dead, and life as a pig is the same thing as hell.”

Two of the most impactful lines, and from a movie that is otherwise pretty goofy. Like, I’d characterize Porco Rosso as closer to Kiki’s Delivery Service or Ponyo in tone, if not for that undercurrent of post war trauma.

u/Penguin_012 32m ago

"A pig that doesn't fly is just an ordinary pig"

u/Pablouchka 1h ago

Came here to say Porco but could not express it better. Thanks. 

u/girloverflower 8h ago

Howl, since he showed how it is to go through several intense emotions in such a relatable way

u/Rampage_Raccoon 5h ago

My personal favorite is Tatsuo Kusakabe.
He’s kind, friendly, and supportive. He takes care of his sick wife, does his job, raises his children, and does everything he can to make sure they’re as happy as possible given their circumstances. To me, he has always been, and always will be, the perfect example of an “everyday hero.”
He must be under an incredible amount of stress, and yet he never takes it out on his family or the people around him. He fills whatever role his family needs him to fill.

The other one is Howl.
His character development is really well done. His motivations and fears are understandable, and his change doesn’t happen overnight. His relationship with Sophie is wonderful and beautifully written. He has plenty of flaws, but he knows that he needs to change and, more importantly, he actually wants to change, which I think is an essential part of any relationship.

u/Saratto_dishu 7h ago

I don't think he's the best written but Howl makes me feel deep primal things.

u/Vivid-Illustrations 8h ago

I think I like Pazu from Castle in the Sky the most. He is a very complex character, despite being so simple at the same time. He is not afraid to be wrong, is compassionate and gentle at times, he fights for what is right and has a strong sense of justice. He isn't anywhere close to the "most powerful" character, yet has the biggest impact to the plot, even compared to Sheeta. It was his plan at the end that saved them and protected the world. He is a rough-and-tumble orphaned miner and mechanic that has expertise in multiple things, and isn't so bad in a fight if he has his wits about him.

u/lilfutnug 7h ago

Porco

u/hoochiscrazy_ 3h ago

Ashitaka I think. I love that the events of Princess Mononoke happen around him, not because of him. He's on his own mission and gets caught up in it.

Marco from Porco Rosso is great too. He's layered and nuanced and obviously flawed. He is openly sexist but is also open-minded and learns his lesson. I don't have time to write more now but he's such a brilliant character. "I'd rather be a pig than a fascist".

u/unromantical 2h ago

The dad from Totoro. Grave of the Fireflies didn’t make me cry, but I’ve watched Totoro dozens of times and each time I’ve sobbed. I can’t remember his name right now, but he’s a wonderful father for trying his best to understand his kids and comfort them. Him going with Mei and Satsuki to try to find Totoro, and then take them to the huge tree really sticks with me.

u/Dry-Sprinkles-5284 7h ago

El castillo vagabundo el mejor el crecimiento emocional de varios personajes, Sofy creyendo más el ella misma, Hol siendo mas valiente crecimiento emocionalmente sacando a flote poder proteger a los seres que ama enfrentando sus miedos,la bruja calamidad como la conocimos en México tierna que sólo necesitaba amor y cuidados,calcifer pícaro,despreocupado siempre atento a Hol,mark lindo chiquitín en busca de estar con personas que lo aman el final fue lindo todos en el castillo la bruja,mark con su perro ajin, calcifer dando energía al castillo, Sofy y Hol todos unidos como familia por voluntad propia ❤️❤️‍🩹

u/Keanuv2003 4h ago

Christian Bale’s Howl, he brought the Bruce Wayne/Batman within the following year of Batman Begins…

Absolute S-Tier

u/epicmemetime15 3h ago

Disappointed that no one has said Mahito

u/buckybadder 32m ago

Jiro Horikoshi is one of the most fascinating protagonists in cinema, nevermind Ghibli. He's a complicated workaholic/obsessive, and I think about his final dream all the time.