I feel a lot of us are becoming obsessed with Studio Ghibli of late.
And it’s no surprise.
Because our lives are getting more fast-paced, we are yearning to slow down – and Studio Ghibli is today’s definition of slowing down.
After watching all the movies, I wrote a post on how to live like a Studio Ghibli character this year.
It became viral.
So, I thought I’d write another post more geared toward something I love – Books.
In this post, I want to talk about books that have a Studio Ghibli vibe.
I’ve read a lot of books and it was definitely hard narrowing it down to 11.
But let’s give it a shot!
But before that really quick, get my free guide on how to really reset your life.
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1. Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch
If you love Kiki’s Delivery Service, you need to buy this book asap.
It’s a middle-grade novel centering around Eva who only holds a pinch of magic. She sets up a semi-magical repair shop and she is determined to help the townspeople.
I like that Eva is very passionate and always has the right intentions, and she’s a Novice Witch just like Kiki!
It covers some darker themes like The Culling, but it’s well-balanced. This book is very much like Studio Ghibli.
It’s a heartwarming read about a witch who must believe in herself and rely on her abilities and friends.
Check out Eva Evergreen here.
2. Legends and Lattes
This was my first book of 2024 and it set the bar very, very high.
This book is for anyone who wants to enter the cozy fantasy genre. I only kept putting down the book because I wanted to make it last longer.
The Protagonist Viv (who is an Orc) is tired of adventuring and bloodshed and is looking for a quiet life in a nice little town. She’s already pre-ordered a coffee machine and plans to start a cafe in a small town that’s never heard of coffee.
This book is very reminiscent of Totoro, Ponyo, and Howl’s Moving Castle because this book is full of everyday moments that have a cozy feel to it.
And your mouth will water reading the book because it goes into detail describing the baked goods.
Check out Legends and Lattes here. And if you like this book, get the prequel (which is just as good) – Bookshops and Bonedust.
3. Six Crimson Cranes
I am not going to lie – I fell in love with the cover and was drawn to the book before I even got the gist of it.
It’s based on one of my favorite books growing up – The Wild Swans.
It follows a similar premise – Princess Shiori and her brothers are cursed by their stepmother. All six of her brothers are turned into cranes. And for every word the Princess speaks, one of her brothers will die.
I love how the book focuses on the strength of the family bond and how she is willing to do anything to save them and there is a sprinkle of romance as well.
I’d say it’s also quite similar to Axie Oh’s The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.
Check out Six Crimson Cranes here.
4. Howl’s Moving Castle
I read the book before watching the movie and it’s actually quite different. The first half of the movie is pretty much the same as the book.
But after that, I think Hayao Miyazaki took creative liberties and changed the story. I liked that in the book, you get to see Diana’s (the author’s) views about the movie and how much she enjoyed the alternate version as well.
If you enjoy the whole Studio Ghibli vibe, you need to pick up this book – this is what kickstarted it all I feel.
Check out Howl’s Moving Castle here.
5. Garlic and the Vampire
This book is one of those hidden gems you have to search for.
I found it by chance on Goodreads when I was looking for heartwarming graphic novels that had some magical elements which also featured a lot of greenery and forest elements.
I didn’t expect much seeing the cover but I was blown away.
This book is BEAUTIFUL.
It’s about an animated Garlic who sets out on an adventure to confront a vampire. And this story screams “Studio Ghibli.”
I loved it so much that I got the second novel too!
Give it a try, you’ll love this book.
6. The House in the Cerulean Sea
My partner’s friend saw me reading Howl’s Moving Castle and immediately told me to buy this book.
So, all credit goes to him, this book really reads like a Studio Ghibli novel.
It’s a YA fantasy novel. The narrator Linus Baker is a quiet, lonely man who works as a caseworker at a Department in charge of magical youth. His mundane job suddenly transforms into an adventure of a lifetime!
The book is filled with interesting characters and it’s a very heartwarming story. It’s funny, sweet and quirky!
7. The Tea Dragon Society (Box Set)
It’s like a graphic novel, but you’ll be reading this very slowly because the art is extremely beautiful – full os soft pastels that are very calming and have an almost dreamlike quality similar to the art in Studio Ghibli.
This author Katie O’Neill has also designed the lovely card game Love Letters Princess Princess Ever After which my partner and I play almost every day.
It’s a gentle and heartwarming story and you don’t have to get all 3 books if you just want to experience 1. Just like Studio Ghibli focuses on nature and spiritual connection (like Princess Mononoke), this book emphasizes a peaceful coexistence with nature and a respect for tradition through the nurturing of tea dragons.
The Tea Dragon Society explores emotional themes like friendship, love, and tenderness so it’s a very cozy read that you can enjoy with a cup of tea.
You also get a nice glossary of the tea dragons at the back which I loved.
8. The Girl Who Drank the Moon
This book is a nice dive into magical realism. I’d compare it to Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle because magic is treated as a natural part of life.
This book features a strong female protagonist – Luna who is courageous and compassionate and has to figure out how to control her magic as she grows up.
I won’t reveal any spoilers but this is a very beautiful and intense read.
You cannot put it down once you start reading because it’s just that good.
9. Snapdragon
This is another Graphic novel, I know.
It’s written by the Author and Illustrator of the Lumberjane Series. I noticed that it had over 15,000 ratings on Goodreads and is rated 4.48 so my curiosity got the better of me and I ordered it.
This is now on my reread list where I reread the book every single year without fail – it’s THAT brilliant.
This book is about a young girl named Snapdragon who befriends a local witch Jacks who has a mysterious connection to magic and animals that Snapdragon desperately wants too!
As she learns more about Jacks, she uncovers certain secrets about her family and friends that all weave very well into the story.
This book blends everyday life with magic and explores themes of identity, family, and self-acceptance.
I find it similar to Spirited Away where ordinary and mystical world coexist beautifully.
The story is very unique and I loved the Author’s notes at the end of the book – she shows you how she sketched the characters to life and how much thought went into each one.
It’s a fabulous read that will make you want to hoard more graphic novels.
Check it out if this novel if it peaked your interest.
10. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
By now you would have figured that I have a soft spot for nature and magic in general.
I love this book because it was an unexpected treat.
The story features Mika Moon – an Asian British witch who is lonely but has a heart of gold. She has to hide her powers due to strict rules imposed by her coven.
When she’s invited to tutor three young witches at an isolated house, she finds herself drawn to a rather unconventional family – this book is all about friendship, love, and a sense of belonging similar to Kiki’s Delivery service where a young witch navigates both magical and mundane worlds to find her place.
It’s a cozy read and is like Studio Ghibli because of its warm whimsical take on magic and self-discovery.
11. The Prince and the Dressmaker
I reread this book every few months because it’s a delightful read. I even got my partner to read it because it’s light, warm and emotional.
This graphic novel is about Prince Sebastian who secretly loves to wear beautiful dresses and he connects with Frances – a talented dressmaker who also has to keep his secret.
Sebastian is torn between his princely duties (he’s stuck in a time where he really can’t be himself) and his desire to be Lady Crystallia – a fashion icon.
This story is unique – it explores themes of identity, friendship, and acceptance as both characters have to embrace who they truly are.
I feel it mirrors Studio Ghibli because of this personal transformation and focus on self-acceptance.
It’s a happy read and you’ll want to showcase this on your bookshelf.
Check out this lovely book here.
Conclusion
I had to keep this list short but here are a few more books I want to include:
- The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- The Bear and the Nightingale (read-only if you like darker themes)
- A Wizard of Earthsea (this is a series that is very cozy)
- Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop (I found this book in Thailand and found it very warm and cozy – a must-read if you like slow slice-of-life books that feature cafe/bookshops)
Let me know if you have any on your mind – I’d love to know!
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