Studio Ghibli honored for humanist values and artistic legacy

Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, continues to be recognized for its profound humanist values and artistic craftsmanship. The Princess of Asturias Foundation has awarded the studio the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities, citing its ability to create universal stories that promote empathy, tolerance, friendship, and environmental protection.

The studio's work is characterized by a deep connection to nature and meticulous attention to detail. Miyazaki’s vision often portrays nature as a living, sacred entity, a theme explored in films such as ‘My Neighbor Totoro’, ‘Princess Mononoke’, and ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’. These narratives frequently address the complexities of coexistence between human expansion and environmental preservation.

Additionally, Studio Ghibli is noted for its highly detailed and appetizing depictions of food, which serve as a means of expressing identity and connecting characters. The studio's films, including Oscar winners ‘Spirited Away’ and ‘The Boy and the Heron’, utilize food as a sensory element that transcends the screen, even inspiring dedicated culinary studies.