To All the (Ghibli) Boys I’ve Loved Before: A Heartfelt Tribute to the 2D Dreamboats

Introduction

There’s something truly special about Studio Ghibli movies. Maybe it’s the lush, hand-drawn animation. Maybe it’s the way they manage to create worlds so whimsical and comforting that we wish we could live in them forever. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the men. Yes, the 2D men of Ghibli have officially ruined me for real-life relationships. Why, you ask? Because how can anyone ever compete with these emotionally complex, romantic, and occasionally flying boys?

From sky-pirates to dragon-boys, here’s a countdown of the Ghibli boys I’d leave the real world for in a heartbeat:

10. Jiro: The Wind Rises (2013)  

The kindest boy with the biggest dreams. Jiro is the guy who’s passionate about his craft, and all he wants is to build airplanes and love Naoko with his whole heart. Imagine being with someone so dedicated to you and your dreams—except he’s got that whole ‘obsessed-with-aviation-during-war-time’ thing going on, but hey, nobody’s perfect. Jiro might not be the wildest Ghibli boy, but his quiet sincerity makes him a keeper. Bonus points: Joseph Gordon-Levitt voices him in English. Consider my heart stolen.

9. Sho: The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) 

Sho is the boy who’d write you poetry in flower fields. He’s a soft soul with a big heart (despite his literal heart problems), and he meets Arrietty, a tiny Borrower girl, just when he needs a reason to keep hoping. He lies in flower meadows, pets cats, and reads books. Sho is every indie film love interest rolled into one and yet he’s only 12 years old—already wiser and more poetic than most men twice his age. No wonder Arrietty fell for him.

8. Tombo: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)  

The boy next door who just really, really wants to fly. Tombo’s sweet obsession with aviation would definitely make him the kind of guy to build you a homemade airplane or try to fix your bike when it’s clearly beyond repair. He’s got that dorky-but-charming energy (peep that country club sweater), and who could resist someone who looks at you the way he looks at Kiki—like she’s his only ticket to the skies?

7. Pazu: Castle in the Sky (1986) 

Oh, Pazu. This is the boy who’d literally catch you if you fell from the sky. He dedicates himself to protecting Sheeta like it’s his life’s purpose, and honestly, what more can you ask for in a partner? Both he and Sheeta are orphans, and they bond over their shared trauma (which, let’s be honest, is a one-way ticket to any heart). Pazu would build you a home with his bare hands and then serenade you with a trumpet solo. How romantic is that?

6. Seiji Amasawa: Whisper of the Heart (1995)  

Seiji is the OG “mysterious boy at the library” who checks out all the same books as you. Men, take notes. His love is so subtle yet intense—he teases you, pushes you to follow your dreams, and then, oh yeah, casually proposes at 13 because he’s that sure of his feelings. He’s a little bit of a tortured artist with that whole violin-making passion, but hey, a creative spirit is always sexy. Who doesn’t love a little enemies-to-lovers energy?

5. Shun Kazama: From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)  

Okay, let’s just get this out of the way: he almost dates his maybe sister. We’re ignoring that part. Because once you look past the whole accidental incest debacle, Shun is the swoon-worthy leader we didn’t know we needed. He’s a dedicated activist, organizing student protests and standing up for what’s right. He’s a revolutionary with a soft side. If that doesn’t make your heart skip a beat, I don’t know what will. Just... don’t invite him to any family reunions.

4. Prince Ashitaka: Princess Mononoke (1997)  

Oh, Prince Ashitaka. Tall, brooding, and on a mission to save the world. What’s not to love? This boy isn’t just your average prince—he’s cursed, literally carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and still manages to be the most noble guy you’ll ever meet. He’s fighting to bring peace between humans and nature, and that slightly flirty “You’re beautiful” moment with San? Iconic. He’s the warrior boyfriend we all deserve—strong, silent, and hopelessly devoted to doing good.

3. Howl Jenkins Pendragon: Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)  

Ah, Howl. The king of drama, the master of glamour, the ultimate dreamboat. Howl is the bad boy with a heart of gold (and a flair for the theatrical). The moment his hair turns black, I was sold. He spends half his time pouting over minor inconveniences and the other half doing dramatic magic in a mysterious moving castle. How could anyone resist the combination of devastating beauty and pure chaos? Howl may be vain, but you can’t deny he’d make every moment with him absolutely unforgettable.

2. Haku: Spirited Away (2001)  

Haku, the dragon-boy of your childhood dreams. He’s the emo kid who turns into a literal dragon, complete with a tragic backstory and mysterious powers. What’s not to love? When he wasn’t busy saving Chihiro, he was out there casually shaping my standards for men forever. He’s protective, quietly powerful, and doesn’t mind getting a little dangerous. If you need someone to whisk you away into a magical world, Haku is your guy.

1. Sosuke: Ponyo (2008) 

My sweet five-year-old son. Sosuke might be small, but he’s got the biggest heart of them all. His love for Ponyo is pure, and he’s willing to risk everything to protect her, even in the face of storms and magic. He’s the only five-year-old who makes me want to protect him at all costs. Every time he cries, I feel my soul age a little faster. Someone give this boy a hug—he’s earned it.

‍Honorable Mention: Taku Morisaki, Ocean Waves (1993)  

Taku may not have made the official list, but he’s still worth mentioning. He’s that college guy who’s stuck in a messy love triangle, and while he’s a little too angsty for me, there’s something about his vulnerability that deserves a nod. Plus, who doesn’t love a good high school drama?

In conclusion, real men are overrated. Who needs them when you’ve got this eclectic lineup of Ghibli boys who are artistic, poetic, heroic, and occasionally winged? The 2D dream is alive and well, and I, for one, am happy to keep living in it.

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