
The stars of Hayao Miyazaki’s late ‘80s/early ‘90s hits join the free-image party.
Earlier this fall, Studio Ghibli made the sudden and generous announcement that it was releasing a collection of images from eight of its beloved anime movies, free for anyone to download from its official website and use however they want “within the scope of common sense.” A second batch added another six films, and while fans were happy, there was, of course, a teensy, tiny shortcoming in that there weren’t any pictures of Totoro.
Well, as of today, that problem is solved!
Studio Ghibli has just posted its third set of free-to-use images, this time covering five features from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, each represented by 50 images for a total of 250 pieces of breathtaking artwork. The big deal, obviously, is the inclusion of 1988’s My Neighbor Totoro.
Joining the big guy are several shots of sisters Mei and Satsuki, as well as everyone’s favorite form of animated mass transit, the Catbus.
Ghibli’s next film after Totoro was its adaptation of author Eiko Kadano’s Kiki’s Delivery Service.
To date, Kiki is the only Ghibli theatrical feature directed, written, and produced by Hayao Miyazaki, and the legendry anime creator’s penchant for perfection shines through from start to finish. For example, look at how much detail there is in Kiki’s mom’s witchery workshop, in which only a few fleeting moments of the film take place.
But arguably the best example of “Hayao Miyazaki drawing stuff he loves” is 1992’s Porco Rosso.
Alternatively known as “The Crimson Pig,” Porco Rosso gives Miyazaki an opportunity to fill the screen with early 20th-century flying machines, and with the director often portraying himself as an anthropomorphized pig in his illustrated self-portraits, it’s hard not to see him drawing a parallel of sorts between himself and the porcine protagonist.
Speaking of animal stars, 1992’s Pom Poko probably did more to spread awareness of tanuki outside Japan than any piece of media since Super Mario Bros. 3.
In addition to teaching viewers outside Japan about the existence of raccoon dogs and their place in Japanese folklore, it also let the rest of the world know that Japan really can’t think about tanuki without also thinking about their testicles.
▼ Pom Poko’s tanuki, using their expansively expandable scrotums as sails to soar gallantly across the sky.
It’s also worth noting that Pom Poko is, by far, Ghibli’s most nonchalantly tragic anime (the full Japanese title loosely translates to “Modern-day Tanuki War Pom Poko,” after all), which makes its lighthearted moments, bittersweet as they are, something to treasure.
Rounding out the new batch of images is Ocean Waves, or I Can Hear the Sea, as it’s titled in Japan.
Ghibli’s only made-for-TV anime movie (at least until next month, when its first-ever all-CG feature premiers on public broadcaster NHK), Ocean Waves tends to be forgotten or dismissed, due to a mix of its lower budget compared to the studio’s theatrical projects and the lack of involvement from Hayao Miyazaki, regular Ghibli character designers Katsuya Kondo and Masashi Ando, or composer Jo Hisashi.
Judged on its own merits, though, it’s an interesting story of young romance and coming of age involving characters a little older than Ghibli’s normal cast of budding adolescents, with some beautiful renderings of sunlight and shadow, and also an interesting peek at what could have been had Ghibli made a stronger commitment to diversifying its storytelling style.
While many of the images are iconic freeze-frames that are etched into long-time fans’ minds, a few of them showcase background and environmental artwork, or allow you to notice things your eyes might not have caught when watching the anime in motion.
For instance, did you know that the ghost parade in Pom Poko features cameos by frequent flyer Totoro, as well as Kiki and Porco?
▼ Does this mean there’s a shared Studio Ghibli universe, or does Pom Poko taking place in modern-day Japan mean Ghibli movies exist within the Pom Poko world, and the tanuki are just copying the anime they’ve watched?
The entire collection of new images can be found here.
Top image: Studio Ghibli
Insert images: Studio Ghibli (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where Kiki’s Delivery Service remains his favorite Studio Ghibli anime.




















Studio Ghibli makes us hungry for new plate collection featuring iconic characters in mid-meal
Studio Ghibli releases new image albums and soundtracks for fans
Studio Ghibli finishes free-to-use image release with 250 from Nausicaa, Laputa, and more
New Studio Ghibli video conference backgrounds let you work from the worlds of Marnie and Porco
Studio Ghibli releases beautiful color vinyl record anime soundtrack series, available now【Pics】
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
We fulfill a childhood dream with giant wafers at the Hiratsuka Seika factory shop
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Samurai chick pudding cake is Japan’s newest hard-to-buy, delicious-to-eat treat【Taste test】
McDonald’s ad in Japan causes controversy overseas
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Studio Ghibli suddenly makes 38 albums of anime music available on Spotify, Apple Music, and more
Studio Ghibli co-founder and anime director Isao Takahata passes away in Tokyo
10 best Studio Ghibli anime, as picked by Japanese fans– Different ages have different answers
New Studio Ghibli Uniqlo T-shirt line coming to the U.S., Japan left out once again【Photos】
Studio Ghibli art train to run in Tokyo at anime film’s real-world location
See Studio Ghibli film characters recreated in 3-D perfection at special exhibit in Seoul
5 best Studio Ghibli papercraft kits that you can assemble yourself
The slogans for every Studio Ghibli movie, ranked by fans in Japan【Quiz】
Studio Ghibli releases new mug tumblers featuring anime movie characters
Ghibli Window Wall Art series turns any wall into a portal to an anime wonderland【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases 300 more images from six movies free to download online
Studio Ghibli grants streaming rights to Netflix, but anime fans in three key countries left out
Totoro’s coziest scene becomes a skateboard with new official Studio Ghibli anime decks【Photos】
Studio Ghibli anime films get American comic book style update with new glassware collection
Studio Ghibli releases new set of free wallpapers to download and use as backgrounds for video calls