The Surprising Detail You Never Knew About The Food In Studio Ghibli Films

Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio behind classic films like "Spirited Away" and "Grave of the Fireflies," was founded in the 1980s by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata (via Vulture). The two friends didn't know it, but they were about to create history with films that have the power to easily transport you to the most fantastic of worlds in minutes. Studio Ghibli has been responsible for several successful animated films, massively shaping the animation industry, and helping many viewers fall in love with anime. Celebrated filmmaker Wes Anderson even counts himself as a fan of the animation studio, having said, "With Miyazaki, you get nature and you get moments of peace, a kind of rhythm that is not in the American animation tradition so much."

While Studio Ghibli's films teleport audiences to breathtaking locales, the depictions of food in each movie, ranging from lavish feasts to simple pot pies, strike a particular chord (via Nerdist.) The attention to detail in the meals can make anyone's mouth water and as it turns out, one of the studio's founders spends extra time crafting scenes featuring food.

According to Nerdist, the dishes that make it into Studio Ghibli films are actually inspired by meals that Hayao Miyazaki, the head of the studio, has prepared in real life. Toshio Suzuki, a producer from the studio, revealed this secret when he fielded questions on Twitter. Fans asked how the company always managed to make food look so delightful in their films and Suzuki mentioned that Miyazaki actually cooked the dishes himself and drew influence from these experiences. 

Food has a special place in Miyazaki's heart, so it just makes sense that food carries a lot of meaning in Studio Ghibli films (via Serious Eats). Those who've watched iconic Ghibli movies like "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Spirited Away" may notice how food is closely linked to the characters and the plot in the movies. Even the tiniest details in the cooking process, like the main character in "Spirited Away" expertly cutting vegetables, tell the viewers something about her character. With this level of attention to detail, anyone can find something to connect to or drool over when it comes to Studio Ghibli's depiction of food.