Watching Studio Ghibli Movies Are Good For Your Mental Health, Shows New Study

If you haven’t seen any of the Studio Ghibli movies yet, then you are missing out on something. Because these are not just movies, they are a world in themselves. Ghibli movies have fans from around the world, and rightly so. They are not just visually captivating, but every film has strong themes like hope, loss, love and humanity.

Now what if we tell you, along with entertainment, Ghibli movies are also good for our mental health. Yes, you read that right. This gives us all the more reason to binge on some of our favourite Studio Ghibli films, be it Ponyo or Spirited Away. Isn’t it? On this note, let us tell you more about the study. Read on.

What Are Studio Ghibli Movies?

Ghibli movies are referred to as animated films from Studio Ghibli. It is a renowned Japanese animation studio, which was co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki in 1985. The studio is renowned globally for its iconic hand-drawn animation, imaginative storytelling rooted in Japanese folklore, and intricate, imaginative and visually immersive worlds, which are beautiful and emotionally profound.

Some of the well-known Studio Ghibli films include Kiki’s Delivery Service, The Secret World of Arrietty, My Neighbor Totoro, Grave of the Fireflies, Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, and The Boy and the Heron.

What The New Studio Ghibli Study Says

A recent study published by JMIR Serious Games analyzed how our brains respond to both watching Studio Ghibli and playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. JMIR Serious Games is a peer reviewed journal focused on how gaming is connected to education, health, and social change. Researchers found that these activities can “significantly improve young people's overall happiness and sense of purpose in life.”

Researchers from Imperial College London, Kyushu Sangyo University (in Fukuoka, Japan), and Georgia State University, studied a small group of people — 518 postgraduate students. Some were asked to play Legend of Zelda, while others were made to watch Studio Ghibli films. Another group was told to do neither.

After these activities were over, the researchers measured feelings like calm, purpose, and life happiness. They discovered that playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild alone “led to higher life happiness scores.” And those who watched a Studio Ghibli film before or after, their happiness score got an additional boost.

Movies Can Be Therapeutic

Have you ever heard of cinema therapy? Well, movies are said to be used for therapeutic purposes, for real. Cinema and video therapy are often part of psychotherapy. According to a 2021 study, therapists use this type of therapy to expose their patients to a character, who might be going through a similar emotional experience. This may encourage one to look at their situation from a different perspective, and also provides new ways of coping.

A therapist can choose films related to the patient’s challenges; it could be either a commercial film or video (documentary). One might be given therapeutic exercises to perform before, during, or after watching the film. The movie’s genre and theme are chosen depending on the situation.

Mental Health Benefits of Watching Movies

A 2016 review stated that enjoying leisure activities like watching films may boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression. On this note, let us take a look at some of the other benefits of watching movies:

• Relaxation
• Motivation
• Reduce stress
• Improve relationships
• Social connection and community feeling
• Emotional catharsis
• Cognitive stimulation and creativity
• Mindfulness and present moment awareness

The Final Word

Ghibli movies are Japanese animation films, which are known for their captivating visual and meaningful storytelling. A recent study, conducted on a small group of people, discovered how watching Studio Ghibli films may elevate your mood, thereby improving your mental health.