Studio Ghibli not only changed the game for animation but also how female protagonists were written. Since 1985, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata’s studio has given us girls and women who lead, adapt, and fight their own battles, whether facing fantastical worlds or navigating life at home. Some start fearless, others grow into it, but all leave a mark. These characters don’t wait for anyone else to save the day, and that’s why we keep coming back to these films, decade after decade. Curious which Ghibli heroine packs the most punch? Stick around and see who claims the crown.
#20: Matsuko – My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
In My Neighbors the Yamadas, Matsuko appears in a series of short, comic episodes about family life in Japan. Directed by Isao Takahata, the film stood out for its watercolor look and was selected as Japan’s Academy Awards submission. Matsuko manages daily routines, arguments, and small mishaps with dry humor and persistence. She keeps her household running without much recognition. Her strength stays within that space, which places her here, but you can see how much it depends on her steady hand.
