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Food becomes a crucial element in the plot of the animated works created by the cult Japanese studio Studio Ghibli. Throughout its sequences, gastronomy is staged in a hedonistic way, bewitching all viewers through epic feasts of jelly, pork roasts, piles of fresh fruit, lifelike onigiris, bento boxes and even fried breakfasts cooked by demons.
In this sense, beyond their lovable characters and their atmosphere suspended in beauty and fairy tales, one of the characteristics of fictional classics such as “Spirited Away” or “My Neighbor Totoro” is their illustrated food and/or culinary creations that have captivated the entire fandom of moviegoers orbiting their anime universe. But how have they managed to generate such a profound effect on viewers?
The studio deciphered the riddle on the internet as to why their meals looked so tempting and delicious. And the fact is, their dishes are inspired by the meals that the studio’s director prepares in real life. This was revealed by producer Toshio Suzuki on Twitter, clarifying that all the food options seen on screen, be it herring cake, pies, ramen or Ponyo’s honey milk, were inspired by the delicious meals that creator and animator Hayao Miyazaki himself has cooked or tasted.
MIYAZAKI’S VISUAL NARRATIVE
Miyazaki then projects a whole visual language through creative gastronomic exploration, with animations and foods with which he expresses emotions such as drama or joy in his films. Illustrations with which he generates impressions from still warm, soft and tender delicious-looking food that his characters enjoy in different enchanting environments.
Thus, in the magical world of Studio Ghibli, food stands as one of the great hallmarks with which it has transcended the screen, transcending and even inspiring the creation of its own exhibition at the Ghibli Museum in 2017, as well as countless TikTok accounts that worship its animated gastronomy.
