10 Perfect Actors For Future Live-Action Studio Ghibli Characters

Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki recently confirmed he’d be coming out of retirement to do one last film. The studio, known for its whimsical hand-drawn animated films often inspired by Japanese folklore, has a loyal fanbase and its most iconic characters can be found on everything from t-shirts and mugs to office chairs and lamps.

In recent years, there has been a boom in live-action adaptions or remakes of beloved animated movies. Disney has been at the forefront of this trend, releasing 8 live-action versions of its animated films— like Aladdin and Mulan—in the last three years. If Studio Ghibli’s filmography got the live-action treatment, the casting choices would have to be as charming as the characters being brought to life for it to succeed.

Lexi Rabe as Ponyo

Ponyo is one of Studio Ghibli’s biggest hits, becoming an instant classic after its 2008 release. The 8th Studio Ghibli film directed by Miyazaki focused on the titular goldfish who longs to be a human. Ponyo is an enthusiastic, bubbly, and adventurous 5-year-old who is curious about the human world. Her sweet friendship with Sōsuke, a human boy, and love of ham help make Ponyo one of Studio Ghibli’s best characters.

Ponyo’s live-action counterpart needs to match the animated character’s curiosity and pure delight as she discovers new things about the human world. Lexi Rabe is known for her roles as Morgan Stark in Avengers: Endgame and the younger version of Millie Bobby Brown’s Madison in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The charismatic and sweet actress would be an excellent choice for Ponyo.

Alan S. Kim as Sōsuke

Sōsuke, an intelligent and heroic 5-year-old boy, serves as Ponyo’s deuteragonist and befriends the goldfish after rescuing her from a glass jar. His connection to Ponyo is central to the film, and their chance meeting changes not only their lives but the world.

A live-action Sōsuke needs to be as cute and precocious as the animated character, and Alan S. Kim is the right boy for the job. A Hollywood newcomer, he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role as David Yi in the must-watch movie Minari. His work in the role proves he has the talent to help carry the film on his tiny shoulders.

Karen Fukuhara as San

1997’s Princess Mononoke focuses on the struggle between the gods of the forest and humans consuming its resources during Japan’s Muromachi period. San, also known as Princess Mononoke, is stubborn, fiery, brave, and protective of the forest she has called home, caring for its inhabitants as if they were her family.

Karen Fukuhara made her film debut in Suicide Squad, where she played the role of Tatsu Yamashiro—otherwise known as Katana. Her work in the 2016 film and the Amazon Prime series The Boys, along with her martial arts background, shows that Fukuhara has the experience and talent to bring the warrior San to life on the silver screen.

Ryan Potter as Ashitaka

Princess Mononoke is one of Studio Ghibli’s best films. The cursed prince of an Emishi village, Ashitaka is the male protagonist of the film and the first human San feels she can trust. His calm and serious demeanor, along with his occasional humor, helps Ashitaka counterbalance San. A brave and selfless warrior, he is willing to do whatever it takes to help others.

Ryan Potter’s first acting role was as Mike Fukanaga, the lead of Nickelodeon’s Supah Ninjas. Since then, he has voiced Hiro Hamada in Big Hero 6 and currently plays Beast Boy in the Titans series. Potter has the physical skills needed to be a great live-action Ashitaka, as well as the heart.

Lucy Liu as Lady Eboshi

Lady Eboshi, the leader of Irontown, serves as the main antagonist of Princess Mononoke. An arrogant woman, she is not as purely evil as other Studio Ghibli villains. Her main goal is to turn the forest surrounding the town into more mining land. Her goals are well-intentioned but poorly executed, as she does not care about the harm her actions cause so long as she succeeds.

Lucy Liu has had a steady career in film and television, the actress receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. From Charlie’s Angels to Elementary, Liu’s resume shows that she has the emotional range, ferocity, and charisma needed to bring Lady Eboshi to life.

Elsie Fisher as Arrietty

The Secret World of Arrietty follows the titular 4-inch-tall “Borrower” who lives with her parents in the walls of Aunt Jessica’s house. Courageous, resourceful, and inquisitive, she dreams of exploring the world outside her home and meets Shawn, a human who ends up becoming a great friend.

In the two English dubs, Saoirse Ronan and Bridgit Mendler give Arrietty her voice. But Elsie Fisher could bring the Borrower to life. Her lead role Kayla Day in Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade shows Fisher as an awkward teen trying to find her place in the world. The Golden Globe nominee would bring a level of warmth and depth to her portrayal of Arrietty.

Roman Griffin Davis as Shawn/Shō

As Arrietty’s human best friend, Shawn (or Shō) is a very quiet and polite boy with a heart condition. He first sees the Borrower in his Aunt Jessica’s yard while spending time at her home. He wants to help the Clocks, but they want to remain hidden away from humans so their existence can stay a secret. As the film goes on, Shawn proves himself to be a great ally to Arrietty and the rest of the Clock family.

Jojo Rabbit star Roman Griffin Davis would be a great young actor to bring Shawn to life. He has comedy and drama experience and could find a good balance between the two throughout the film.

Forrest Wheeler as Shun Kazama

Shun Kazama is the male protagonist in From Up on Poppy Hill and becomes Umi’s love interest. An editor of the school’s newspaper, The Latin Quarter, he is a passionate young man who works with his club and other students to try and save the historic building that houses the paper from demolition. A natural-born leader, Shun’s spirited nature inspires Umi and others.

Forrest Wheeler played middle child Emery Huang for 6 seasons on Fresh Off the Boat. Much like Shun, Emery is well-liked and has some popularity at school. Wheeler has a boy-next-door charm and sweetness that would create an interesting take on the character and his complicated backstory in a live-action retelling.

Dev Patel as Howl

Howl’s Moving Castle has become one of the film studio’s most beloved and critically acclaimed titles, and its voice cast has the star power to prove it. Pre-Batman Christian Bale provided the voice of Howl Pendragon, a flamboyant wizard, in the English dub and gave the character a natural charm. Howl is a complicated character that has moments of depth and kindness buried under his vanity and stubbornness.

Howl is arguably one of Studio Ghibli’s most attractive characters. The actor who brings him to life needs to live up to that reputation. Dev Patel’s popularity has skyrocketed over the last few years since his Oscar-nominated role in 2016’s Lion. The “Hot Knight” marketing campaign A24 released for The Green Knight, along with his performance in the film, shows that Patel has the range and looks to play this kind of leading man.

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons as Umi Matsuzaki

From Up on Poppy Hill follows the life of Umi Matsuzaki, a high school student who lives in a boarding house in 1960s Japan. Umi is a responsible and kind-hearted girl who will go out of her way to help others. She raises a set of signal flags each morning in honor of her father, a sailor who died during the Korean War, and states she has never missed a day.

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons is known for playing Lily Tucker-Pritchett on Modern Family. While the character has her moments of dry, sarcastic humor, Lily also has her moments of vulnerability and insecurity like any young girl. Casting Anderson-Emmons in the role of Umi would let her branch out from the role that made her famous by playing a more mature character.

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