The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: Studio Ghibli, edited by Alex MacLellan
Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985, is known around the world as the animation studio bringing works such as Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and My Neighbour Totoro to the big and small screens. With a characteristic art style indelibly linked with childlike joy and a strong focus on moral storytelling, Ghibli movies are eagerly anticipated and cherished by fans old and new alike. The influence of the studio beyond Japan and the animation industry is clear, with comparisons to the studio or legendary director Hayao Miyazaki a byword for quality, and an aspiration for new animators, game makers and writers. Now, four decades after its founding, Studio Ghibli continues to grow in popularity with fans finding new ways to connect over a shared love of the movies, and eagerly anticipate the latest, and possibly last entry from Hayao Miyazaki. In this volume, authors will draw on psychological concepts to explore the impact Studio Ghibli films have in the lives of the fans, how movies and art can be used to advocate for social causes, and how fandom itself can be an important part of identity.
The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: Studio Ghibli will feature chapters from academics and fans alike, providing insights that explore the personal and cultural impact of Studio Ghibli. There is a language to Studio Ghibli movies, with core themes of environmentalism, pacifism, feminism and liminality present in almost all films. Similarly to other animation houses like Disney and Pixar, Studio Ghibli has created a unique fan culture, a group which is fiercely protective of the studio’s singular, meticulous style. The book will explore recurring themes in the movies, how these resonate with fans to drive personal change, and how the studio engenders such loyalty in groups of people from all corners of the globe.
This book is part of the collection The Psychgeist of Pop Culture series edited by Dr Rachel Kowert and published by Play Story Press. This book series highlights iconic pop culture content from television, film, literature and video games through an examination of the psychological mechanisms that endear us to these stories for a lifetime.
The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: Studio Ghibli will feature analysis of both individual and groups of movies from the Ghibli canon, grounded in psychological theory and expert analysis. Authors will be academics and fans of the movies and Studio, and will be open to industry experts and critics. This book aims to provide accessible analysis of the themes present in the Ghibli movies, and a considered response to the question: what does it mean to be a Studio Ghibli fan?
This book offers an opportunity to discuss the themes of movies alongside the actions and influence of the Studio itself, and explore the congruence between the art and artists. Some possible chapters are listed below, but feel free to propose your own idea or a combination of ideas from below. We are interested in proposals that explore the impact of Ghibli movies on a personal, social or industry-wide level.
Possible chapters can include, but are not limited to:
- Following the Wind: Why Studio Ghibli inspires a loyal fan culture.
- Not in Distress: Feminism and Ghibli’s Heroines
- Living and healing: Environmental psychology and the living worlds of Studio Ghibli
- Whisper of the Heart and the psychology of creativity and inspiration.
- Grave of The Fireflies and cross-cultural differences in a movie’s reception
- Aching for a lost time: The psychology of nostalgia in Ghibli movies
- Musical movements: The music psychology of Joe Hisaishi’s soundtracks.
- Cinema therapy: How Ghibli movies create a safe space to explore mature themes
- Forgetting how to fly: Kiki’s Delivery Service, burnout and social anxiety
- Copycat cosiness: How Studio Ghibli influenced animation, gaming and marketing messaging.
We particularly welcome submissions from first time authors and authors from non-traditional backgrounds. Send an abstract (of approximately 300 words) and your resume or CV to alex.maclellan@aist.go.jp no later than February 7, 2026.