Studio Ghibli was officially established on June 15, 1985, by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, along with producer Toshio Suzuki. Initially a subsidiary of Tokuma Shoten, the studio produced several iconic films during this period, including Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), and Kiki's Delivery Service (1989).
Princess Mononoke (1997) marked a turning point, becoming Japan's highest-grossing film at the time and establishing Ghibli internationally. In 2001, Spirited Away became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003. Studio Ghibli became independent from Tokuma Shoten in 2004.
After becoming independent, Ghibli continued producing notable films such as Ponyo (2008) and The Secret World of Arrietty (2010). In 2013, Miyazaki released The Wind Rises, his final film before a temporary retirement. Following his announcement, Ghibli paused production, creating uncertainty about its future.
In 2014, Nippon Television Network Corporation became Ghibli's primary shareholder. Despite Miyazaki’s retirement, Ghibli produced When Marnie Was There (2014) and collaborated on The Red Turtle (2016). In 2017, Miyazaki returned to direct The Boy and the Heron, released in 2023, showing Ghibli’s resilience and commitment to animation.
Today, Studio Ghibli remains a respected institution, continuing to create unique hand-drawn animations with timeless stories and emotional depth.