Can You Name This Studio Ghibli Film From One Screenshot?

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Name This Studio Ghibli Film From One Screenshot?
Image: Studio Ghibli/ Toho

About This Quiz

You could go to the movies. But what's the fun in that when you could stay home and snuggle up on the couch with a Studio Ghibli movie instead? After all, the studio has produced some of the most entertaining and fun films in the history of animation. From tales of children wandering into a world filled with mystical creatures to humanoid pigs flying airplanes, there have been few limits when it comes to the imaginations of the directors and animators at Studio Ghibli.

Launched in 1985, Studio Ghibli has become a world-renowned animation studio throughout its history, popping out everything from feature films to short films for music videos. The studio's animation styles have been captivating and fun, as they've pushed the limits of how art meets film in ways that other companies wouldn't dare try. They've done all of this while also telling human stories that anyone can relate to.

Are you familiar with the magical worlds created by Studio Ghibli? From their earliest films to the masterpieces of the last decade, this quiz dives into every popular film ever released by the studio. When you're ready, prove that you can craft a perfect score on this quiz the same way Studio Ghibli crafts a movie.

Question 1 - Howl's Moving Castle
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Early industrialization meets magic in this Studio Ghibli film. What's it called?
"Howl's Moving Castle"
"Chu Zumo"
"Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess"
"Treasure Hunting"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Howl's Moving Castle" is influenced by Diana Wynne Jones' novel that carried the same name as the movie. Published in 1986, Jones' novel eventually became a series alongside "Castle in the Air" and "House of Many Ways."

Question 2 - Spirited Away
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
This is one of the highest-grossing films in Japanese history. Can you name it?
"Looking for a Home"
"Spirited Away"
"Hoshi o Katta Hi"
"Water Spider Monmon"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hayao Miyazaki returned to Studio Ghibli to direct "Spirited Away," and it turned out to be quite the comeback. Not only did the film kill it at the box office, but it also won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Question 3 - Castle in the Sky
Studio Ghibli/ Toei Company
A magic crystal leads a young boy and girl on the journey of a lifetime in this film. What's it called?
"When Marnie Was There"
"The Tale of the Princess Kaguya"
"The Wind Rises"
"Castle in the Sky"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Castle in the Sky" ties itself back into Studio Ghibli's first film, "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind," through the use of fox-squirrels, which appear in both movies. For the studio, this animal represents the difficulty of domestication.

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Question 4 - My Neighbor Totoro
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Perhaps one of the most recognized films from Studio Ghibli, are you familiar with this masterpiece?
"Whisper of the Heart"
"Princess Mononoke"
"My Neighbor Totoro"
"Spirited Away"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In his first few attempts, Hayao Miyazaki had trouble getting "My Neighbor Totoro" picked up by financiers. Much of this difficulty was due to the setting of the film, Japan, as it wasn't popular at the time to base such a fantasy film in a Japanese setting.

Question 5 - Princess Mononoke
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
How well do you know this fantasy film that sets itself in a unique period of Japanese history?
"Princess Mononoke"
"Koro's Big Day Out"
"Imaginary Flying Machines"
"Mei and the Kittenbus"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Yugoslavia Wars were a major inspiration for "Princess Mononoke," as Hayao Miyazaki realized he could no longer tell stories like "Kiki's Delivery Service." Instead, he wanted to show children a more realistic version of a war-torn world.

Question 6 - Kiki's Delivery Service
Studio Ghibli/ Toei Company
Studio Ghibli tackled a coming-of-age story in which award-winning film depicted in this image?
"My Neighbors the Yamadas"
"Kiki's Delivery Service"
"The Cat Returns"
"Howl's Moving Castle"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Studio Ghibli always looked for ways to appeal to a western audience, and they did just that with some of the settings in "Kiki's Delivery Service." For example, the city where Kiki lives, Koriko, is based on Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.

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Question 7 -  The Wind Rises
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
A new brand of Japanese aircraft comes to life in which film depicted here?
"Kuso no Kikaitachi no Naka"
"The Wind Rises"
"Koro's Big Day Out"
"Imaginary Flying Machines"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Wind Rises" was marred by controversy, particularly in the United States, after its release in 2013. That's because it tells the story of Jiro Horikoshi, the Japanese engineer who designed the deadly Mitsubishi A5M for use in World War II.

Question 8 - Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Topcraft/ Toei Company
The success of which film shown here launched Studio Ghibli into becoming the anime powerhouse it is today?
"Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind"
"Whisper of the Heart"
"Grave of the Fireflies"
"Kiki's Delivery Service"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" pulls plenty of inspiration from European culture, including the name Nausicaa, which is derived from Princess Nausicaa in "The Odyssey." Translated from ancient Greek, her name means "burner of ships."

Question 9 - Whisper of the Heart
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Yoshifumi Kondo was brought in to direct his first Studio Ghibli film when he crafted which drama represented by a screenshot here?
"Ghiblies"
"Kujiratori"
"Whisper of the Heart"
"Film Guru Guru"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Whisper of the Heart" was the only Studio Ghibli film directed by Yoshifumi Kondo before his untimely death due to an aneurysm in 1998. His death caused Hayao Miyazaki to retire from filmmaking for a bit, as he had hoped Kondo would be his successor.

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Question 10 - Ponyo
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Were you a big enough fan of this Studio Ghibli film released in 2008 to select its correct name?
"From Up on Poppy Hill"
"Ponyo"
"The Wind Rises"
"The Tales of the Princess Kaguya"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Studio Ghibli abandoned new animation techniques and CGI in favor of traditional animation for "Ponyo." That means each frame was drawn by hand with Hayao Miyazaki choosing to draw the ocean waves himself.

Question 11 - Grave of the Fireflies
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Can you identify this film that tells the tragic story of war on the lives of civilians?
"Only Yesterday"
"Grave of the Fireflies"
"Porco Rosso"
"Pom Poko"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Grave of Fireflies" departs from most war-driven films by depicting war as a force of nature rather than a creation of man. Bombs, for example, fall through the sky like rain as the fire from their destruction tears through the land like the wave of a tsunami.

Question 12 - The Cat Returns
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
A manga of the same name inspired which film shown here in this image?
"The Night of Taneyamagahara"
"Iblard Jikan"
"Piece"
"The Cat Returns"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Studio Ghibli brought in Hiroyuki Morita to direct "The Cat Returns," making it only the second feature film from the studio directed by someone other than Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata. Morita had previously worked with the studio as an animator on "My Neighbors the Yamadas."

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Question 13 - Only Yesterday
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Do you recognize this film that broke tradition for the studio by targeting adults rather than children?
"Tales from Earthsea"
"Ponyo"
"Only Yesterday"
"The Secret World of Arrietty"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For the ending theme song of "Only Yesterday," Studio Ghibli translated "The Rose" by Amanda McBroom. The English version of the song was a number one hit on many charts, which included a cover by Conway Twitty that was released in 1983.

Question 14 - Tales from Earthsea
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Can you identify this movie that was influenced by a series of fantasy novels by Ursula K. Le Guin?
"Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo"
"Boro the Caterpillar"
"Tales from Earthsea"
"The Secret World of Arrietty"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Tales from Earthsea" was directed by Hayao Miyazaki's son, Goro, and caused quite a dispute between the two. Hayao had wanted to direct the film himself but was already involved in "Howl's Moving Castle," so the studio gave his son his first directing opportunity. Due to the dispute, the two did not speak for the entirety of the production.

Question 15 - Porco Rosso
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Inspired by the manga "The Age of the Flying Boat," is this a film you're familiar with?
"Porco Rosso"
"The Tale of the Princess Kaguya"
"From Up on Poppy Hill"
"The Wind Rises"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Porco Rosso" was the first pure comedy film released by Studio Ghibli, as most films from the studio always had a feeling of desolation sprinkled into them. Despite its comedic elements, "Porco Rosso" relied on darker tones in the animation to capture the period it was set in.

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Question 16 - Pom Poko
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Studio Ghibli implements plenty of comedy into this animated film. What's the name of it?
"When Marnie Was There"
"Ocean Waves"
"On Your Mark"
"Pom Poko"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The title "Pom Poko" is derived from the sound that tanuki, Japanese raccoon dogs, make when hitting their own bellies. These animals are the subject of the story, as they try to stop a government project that will destroy their habitat.

Question 17 - My Neighbors the Yamadas
Studio Ghibli/ Toho/ Shochiku
Will you be able to identify this film that breaks away from the anime style traditionally used by Studio Ghibli?
"Ghiblies Episode 2"
"Space Station No. 9"
"Doredore no Uta"
"My Neighbors the Yamadas"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In a series of vignettes, "My Neighbors the Yamadas" tells the story of the Yamada family. The film captures the relationships of the family by relying on an animated style that resembles a comic strip.

Question 18 - The Secret World of Arrietty
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Are you familiar with this film that brings to life the secret lives of tiny people living in a house?
"When Marnie Was There"
"Ocean Waves"
"The Secret World of Arrietty"
"On Your Mark"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Perspective is used to give the animation in "The Secret World of Arrietty," a unique feel, as it shifts between the normal people and the tiny people living in the house. When the tiny people, the Borrowers, venture out, everything changes from the size of objects to the sound of simple noises.

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Question 19 - From Up on Poppy Hill
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
How well do you know this historic drama based in 1963 Japan?
"From Up on Poppy Hill"
"Ghiblies"
"Kujiratori"
"The Theory of Evolution"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unlike most Studio Ghibli films, "From Up on Poppy Hill" isn't plot-driven, but instead, it is driven by relationships. It accomplishes this by setting itself in a unique period in Japanese history when student activism was common due to escalating global conflicts.

Question 20 - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Recognized as the most expensive film from the studio, can you name this movie?
"Ghiblies Episode 2"
"Mei and the Kittenbus"
"Portable Airport"
"The Tale of the Princess Kaguya"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" gets its inspiration from an ancient Japanese narrative called "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter." To capture some of the true feelings of Princess Kaguya from the original tale, the film broke away from a realistic art style, relying on charcoal lines and watercolored hues instead.

Question 21 - When Marnie Was There
Studio Ghibli/ Toho
Do you recognize this movie that received an Academy Award nomination at the 88th Academy Awards?
"Space Station No. 9"
"Doredore no Uta"
"Looking for a Home"
"When Marnie Was There"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After "When Marnie Was There" was finished and released in 2014, Studio Ghibli announced it would be taking a break from filmmaking after several lead figures left the company. As of the start of 2020, it's still the final feature film released by the company.

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Question 22 - Ocean Waves
Nippon TV
In this film from the studio, two friends get caught in a love triangle after a new girl comes to town. What's the name of it?
"Hoshi o Katta Hi"
"Ocean Waves"
"Water Spider Monmon"
"The Night of Taneyamagahara"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

By the early '90s, Studio Ghibli was already trying to find a place for its younger animators to make a name for themselves in the company, so they decided to put together "Ocean Waves." They had hoped the film would be produced cheaply, but it went over budget by the time it was finished.

Question 23 - On Your Mark
Studio Ghibli/ Toei Company
Select the name of this film that was released theatrically alongside "Whisper of the Heart."
"Iblard Jikan"
"Piece"
"On Your Mark"
"Chu Zumo"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"On Your Mark" was created by Hayao Miyazaki for a song by Chage & Aska, a Japanese rock band. The music video incorporates their song, which carries the same name, but has no dialogue throughout.

Question 24 - Ghiblies
Nippon TV
Is this short comedic film familiar to you?
"Ghiblies"
"Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess"
"Treasure Hunting"
"Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Studio Ghibli created "Ghiblies" to air during a television special about the studio. The short film incorporates personalities from the studio and addresses what work life is like at Studio Ghibli.

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Question 27 - Ghiblies Episode 2
Studio Ghibli
Japanese drummer Manto Watanabe brought his drumming skills to which film shown in this image?
"Portable Airport"
"Space Station No. 9"
"Doredore no Uta"
"Ghiblies Episode 2"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When "Ghiblies Episode 2" originally came out, it was released in theaters alongside "The Cat Returns" in 2002. It was later included as bonus content on "Ocean Waves" when the film was released as a DVD in North America in 2017.

Question 30 - Mei and the Kittenbus
Studio Ghibli
This film serves as a sequel to "My Neighbor Totoro." What's it called?
"Chu Zumo"
"Piece"
"Mei and the Kittenbus"
"Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Mei and the Kittenbus" brought back Japanese voice actress Chika Sakamoto to voice Mei, who also appeared in "My Neighbor Totoro." Sakamoto had previously worked on "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" with Studio Ghibli.

Question 32 - Hoshi o Katta Hi
Studio Ghibli/ Ghibli Museum
Is this film, influenced by the surrealist artist Naohisa Inoue, familiar to you?
"Kuso no Kikaitachi no Naka no Hakai no Hatsumei"
"The Theory of Evolution"
"Portable Airport"
"Hoshi o Katta Hi"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Hoshi o Katta Hi" utilized aspects of surrealism similar to Naohisa Inoue's artwork in its animation. Inoue had previously helped Studio Ghibli on "Whisper of the Heart," where he provided art that was referenced for the film's setting.

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Question 34 - The Night of Taneyamagahara
Studio Ghibli/ Buena Vista Home Entertainment Japan
Select the correct name of this short film based on a short story of the same name.
"The Night of Taneyamagahara"
"Piece"
"Chu Zumo"
"Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Running 27 minutes, "The Night of Taneyamagahara" is one of the longest short films released by Studio Ghibli. Unlike the other short films from the studio, it was released on DVD in Japan in 2006.

Question 35 - Iblard Jikan
Studio Ghibli
Art and paintings come to life in which film shown here?
"Treasure Hunting"
"Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo"
"Boro the Caterpillar"
"Iblard Jikan"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Iblard Jikan" relied more on its animation, which was inspired by the artwork of Naohisa Inoue, than on its overall plot. The calming mood of the film was increased by the original soundtrack from Kiyonori Matsuo.

Question 37 - Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess
Studio Ghibli/ Ghibli Museum
How well do you know this film where two new friends try to escape the grasp of an evil witch?
"Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess"
"Space Station No. 9"
"Doredore no Uta"
"Soratobu Toshikeikaku"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Harvesters" by the 16th-century painter Pieter Bruegel helped Hayao Miyazaki develop the idea for "Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess." The painting was one of Bruegel's most famous, as it was part of a series that captured the different times of the year.

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Question 38 - Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo
Studio khara/ Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli worked with director Shinji Higuchi to create this short film. Can you identify it?
"Piece"
"Treasure Hunting"
"The Theory of Evolution"
"Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo" was the first live-action film released by Studio Ghibli. Relying on practical effects, it draws inspiration from traditional tokusatsu productions like "Godzilla."

Question 39 - Boro the Caterpillar
Studio Ghibli/ Ghibli Museum
Are you familiar with this film that tells the story of a new being's introduction to life?
"Kuso no Kikaitachi no Naka"
"Boro the Caterpillar"
"Space Station No. 9"
"Doredore no Uta"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hayao Miyazaki originally started drawing sketches for "Boro the Caterpillar" in the '90s in hopes of turning it into a feature film, but it was never picked up by producers. After his retirement from making feature films, Miyazaki decided to dive back into animation by making a short based around his original idea.

Question 40 - Space Station No. 9
Studio Kajino
Will you be able to name this film inspired by music from Capsule?
"Soratobu Toshikeikaku"
"Piece"
"Space Station No. 9"
"Treasure Hunting"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Studio Ghibli relied on its subsidiary studio, Studio Kajino, to create "Space Station No. 9." It was one of three short music videos created for the band Capsule with the others being "Portable Airport" and "A Flying City Plan."

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You Got:
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Studio Ghibli/ Toho