Studio Ghiblihas spent decades enchanting audiences with unforgettable characters, layered storytelling, and lush animation. While the spotlight usually shines on central heroes like Chihiro, Ashitaka, and Kiki, the Ghibli universe is filled with supporting characters so rich and compelling they practically demand their own spin-off films. These side characters don’t just complement the main cast, they often steal the show entirely.
From complex anti-heroines to mysterious spirit guides, Ghibli’s supporting players are more than worthy of deeper exploration.Whether they’re misunderstood leaders or magical beings with cryptic backstories, these ten characters left fans wanting more.A dedicated movie could finally give them the space to grow, evolve, and shine all on their own. Here are ten Studio Ghibli characters who deserve their own solo films, as soon as possible.
10Lady Eboshi from Princess Mononoke
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, 1997
Lady Eboshi isn’t just a strong female leader, she’s one of Ghibli’s most morally complex characters. As the head of Iron Town, she champions progress and industrial innovation, even as it clashes with nature. Her fierce independence, military strategy, and unexpected compassion for society’s outcasts make her a force worth exploring beyond the main film.
A standalone prequel showing Lady Eboshi’s rise from her mysterious origins to commanding Iron Town would make for an exciting story.How did she become such a powerful and controversial figure? What shaped her pragmatic worldview? A solo film could deepen fans' understanding of her ideology and the sacrifices she made for power and purpose.
9Haku from Spirited Away
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, 2001
Haku is both a river spirit and a servant bound by magic, two identities in conflict. Though he plays a vital role in Chihiro’s journey, his past and inner struggles remain mostly untold. His cryptic backstory and emotional restraint hint at untapped emotional depth and magical lore begging to be explored.
A Haku-centered movie could unravel the events that led to him losing his name and getting trapped in Yubaba’s service.Fans would love to see his journey as a dragon spirit, his bond with nature, and how he once saved Chihiro before she ever entered the spirit world. There’s a whole mythic saga just waiting to unfold.
8Calcifer from Howl’s Moving Castle
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, 2004
Calcifer, the fire demon bound to Howl’s heart, is easily one of themost charming and adorable characters in Ghibli’s filmography. Though he delivers quips and keeps the castle running, his tragic origin and immense magical power are barely touched upon. There’s clearly more to Calcifer than breakfast and sass.
A prequel about Calcifer’s early life as a star or spirit before being bound by Howl’s spell could illuminate the deeper workings of magic in Ghibli’s universe.How do fire demons form? What consequences come from making such a pact? Calcifer’s perspective would offer a darker, more mystical tone full of magical ethics and emotional stakes.
7Baron Humbert von Gikkingen from The Cat Returns and Whisper of the Heart
Directed by Hiroyuki Morita, 2002 & Yoshifumi Kondō, 1995
The Baron, a gentleman cat figurine brought to life by imagination and magic, exudes elegance, mystery, and chivalry. He’s a recurring figure in two Ghibli films, but fans never get to fully understand his origins or the world he inhabits. His brief moments onscreen make him a scene-stealing icon.
A solo adventure focused on the Baron could be part detective story, part whimsical fantasy.
A solo adventure focused on the Baron could be part detective story, part whimsical fantasy.Picture him solving magical mysteries in a surreal world full of living objects, lost memories, and enchanted artifacts.With his grace and charisma, he’s practically begging for a Sherlock Holmes-style film through a Ghibli lens.
6Naoko Satomi from The Wind Rises
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, 2013
Naoko Satomi’s love story with Jirois touching but tragic, framed by the backdrop of illness and war. Yet fans see her only as an extension of Jiro’s journey. There’s much more to Naoko—an artistic soul grappling with mortality, identity, and a yearning to create beauty before time runs out.
A companion film could show Naoko’s life before she meets Jiro with her family, her art, and how she deals with the looming presence of tuberculosis.Giving her a voice beyond romance would add depth to a story that’s often overshadowed by engineering and innovation. Her quiet resilience could be the emotional heart of her own standalone masterpiece.
5Moro from Princess Mononoke
Moro, the wolf goddess and San’s adoptive mother, radiates raw power and fierce maternal instincts. She plays a pivotal role in the film’s battle between nature and industry, yet her motivations and past are shrouded in mystery. What made her such a formidable protector of the forest?
A film chronicling Moro’s early battles, her bond with the forest gods, and the adoption of San would offer a primal, emotionally charged story.Moro embodies the ancient wisdom of the natural world, and a deeper look at her past could bring more nuance to the spiritual stakes ofMononoke’suniverse.
4Kamaji from Spirited Away
Kamaji, the many-armed boiler room worker,is one ofSpirited Away’smost memorable side characters. He’s gruff but kind, mysterious but comforting, a contradiction wrapped in steam and soot sprites. What’s his deal? Where did he come from? What magic binds him to the bathhouse?
A solo film following Kamaji’s life in the spirit world, perhaps as a reluctant employee or even a former rebel, could be both touching and visually inventive.A story of hard work, found family, and spiritual duty, seen through Kamaji’s weary but compassionate eyes, would offer a refreshing angle on the Ghibli world.
3Kiki’s Mother from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, 1989
Fans know Kiki as a budding young witch, but what about the woman who raised her?Kiki’s mother is only briefly seen mixing potions and offering encouragement, but her calm demeanor suggests a life of wisdom and magical experience.How did she grow into the woman she is? What was her journey as a young witch?
Exploring Kiki’s mother’s adolescence could provide a fresh take on the coming-of-age witch trope that is rooted in a different era, with different magical challenges.
Exploring Kiki’s mother’s adolescence could provide a fresh take on the coming-of-age witch trope that is rooted in a different era, with different magical challenges. Seeing how she navigated love, tradition, and modernity would enrich the Ghibli universe and give fans a glimpse into the generational legacy of witchcraft.
2Sheeta from Castle in the Sky
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, 1986
Sheeta is a quiet powerhouse who is brave, intelligent, and descended from Laputan royalty. ThoughCastle in the Skygives her room to grow, her story ends just as her potential begins to bloom. What becomes of Sheeta after the collapse of Laputa? Does she embrace her royal heritage or abandon it completely?
A sequel centered on Sheeta reclaiming or rebuilding the Laputan legacy could be equal parts sci-fi and introspection.Her perspective offers a unique lens on heritage, responsibility, and power that would be perfect for a nuanced Ghibli adventure. Give this sky princess the chance to truly soar.
1No-Face from Spirited Away
No-Face is one of Ghibli’s most mysterious and haunting creations, a lonely spirit shaped by the environment and emotions around him. WhileSpirited Awayshows his descent into greed and his eventual redemption, it never explains his origins or purpose. Who is No-Face really, and what does he want?
A character study of No-Face could dive into the themes of identity, longing, and emotional mimicry. Set in a quiet corner of the spirit world, it could explore how he first developed his behaviors and whether he can evolve beyond them. With its dreamlike tone and emotional depth, a No-Face movie could beStudio Ghibli’smost philosophical tale yet.
