Studio Ghibli movies are often recommended to Japanese learners, but not all of them are equally helpful for language practice!
Some feature dramatic speech, unusual vocabulary, or fantasy settings that don’t reflect how people talk in everyday life.
If your goal is to improve listening skills and get used to natural Japanese, it helps to be selective. Slice-of-life stories tend to offer more familiar vocabulary and a more realistic speaking style.
In this post, we’ll look at five Ghibli films that work especially well for learning Japanese, and explain why their dialogue is easier to follow and more useful for real-world listening practice.
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro is a very beginner-friendly option for listening practice!
First of all, it’s one of the most famous and popular Ghibli films. You’re probably already familiar with it – which goes a long way to helping comprehension.
The language is simple and clearly spoken. Many scenes focus on family life, with parents talking to children or children talking to each other. Sentences are short, and key words are often repeated.
Because much of the dialogue is aimed at children, the pace is slower and the vocabulary is basic. This makes it easier to catch familiar words and expressions, even if you don’t understand everything.
Why it works well for learners:
- Simple sentence structures
- Clear pronunciation
- Slower pace
- Repetition of common words and phrases
- Everyday family/child-centric language
This isn’t how adults speak to each other in real life, but it’s excellent for building listening confidence!
It’s a good film to start with if longer or faster dialogue feels overwhelming.
Ponyo
Ponyo is another popular Ghibli movie that works very well for Japanese learners!
Again, a lot of the dialogue is between or aimed at young children, which keeps the language simple and direct. Sentences are short, vocabulary is basic, and important words are often repeated.
This makes it easier to follow what’s going on, even if you don’t catch every word.
Although there are fantasy elements, the film is mostly set in a contemporary, realistic Japanese seaside town. You hear everyday language at home, in the car, and around the local community.
Why it works well for learners:
- Very simple sentence structures
- Clear pronunciation
- Repetition of key words
- Child-focused dialogue
- Everyday settings
One thing to be aware of is that some scenes become loud and fast-paced, especially once the story leans more heavily into fantasy.
Even so, Ponyo is a good option if you want something accessible and friendly while getting used to listening to Japanese.
Whisper of the Heart
Whisper of the Heart is the best Ghibli film for learning Japanese if your goal is to hear how people actually speak in everyday life.
The story is set in suburban Tokyo and centres on school, family, and friendships. Most conversations are short, natural, and easy to follow.
Characters speak in a standard Tokyo accent, without heavy slang or dramatic delivery.
Because the characters are mostly teenagers and family members, the language stays practical. You hear the kind of Japanese used at home, at school and around town.
Why it works well for learners:
- Clear, modern Japanese
- Natural speaking pace
- Everyday vocabulary
- Lots of simple back-and-forth dialogue
- Minimal exaggeration or stylised speech
This is a good film to watch more than once. The first time, you can just listen and get used to the sound of the language. On later watches, you can focus on specific phrases or sentence patterns you start to recognise.
Only Yesterday
Only Yesterday is a strong choice if you want to hear Japanese used by adults in realistic situations.
The film moves between adult life in Tokyo and memories of childhood in the countryside. The dialogue is clear and measured, without fast exchanges or exaggerated emotion.
Characters take their time when speaking, which makes it easier to follow.
Most of the language is everyday Japanese. You hear conversations at work, with family members, and during shared activities. Nothing feels rushed, and there’s not too much slang.
Why it works well for learners:
- Clear pronunciation
- Steady speaking pace
- Realistic adult conversations
- Everyday vocabulary and phrasing
- Mostly standard Japanese
This film works especially well if you already understand some basics and want to move beyond school-style/childish Japanese into more natural adult speech.
From Up on Poppy Hill
From Up on Poppy Hill is a good option if you want realistic Japanese without the language feeling too difficult.
The film is set in 1960s Japan, and like many of these movies it focuses on school life, family life and community. The dialogue is clear and easy to follow, with a natural pace and little slang.
Most conversations take place between students, teachers, and family members. The language sounds polite but natural, and it’s close to what you hear in everyday situations.
Why it works well for learners:
- Clear, standard Japanese
- Natural speaking speed
- School and family vocabulary
- Polite forms used in normal contexts
- Very little exaggerated speech
This film sits nicely between beginner-friendly and more advanced listening. It’s a good step up once you’re comfortable with simpler dialogue but not ready for fast or informal speech.
Ghibli movies I’d not recommend for learning Japanese (and why)
While these are all great films, and I would definitely recommend you watch them, I wouldn’t necessarily use them for language study!
- Spirited Away – Many characters use formal or exaggerated speech. Most are non-human and this is reflected by giving them different ways of speaking. The language fits the setting but doesn’t reflect everyday conversation.
- Princess Mononoke – The dialogue is dramatic and often archaic, with sentence patterns and vocabulary that aren’t useful for modern Japanese.
- Howl’s Moving Castle – Set in a European-inspired fantasy world, the dialogue is stylised and theatrical rather than based on everyday Japanese speech.
- Pom Poko – Features regional accents, fast group conversations, difficult, convoluted style of speech, and wordplay based on folklore, all of which can be difficult for learners to follow.
Choosing the right Ghibli films for learning Japanese
Not all Ghibli films are equally useful for language learning, and that’s okay!
Some are better watched for enjoyment, while others can actually be helpful if you want to hear natural, everyday Japanese.
The movies I included in this list work well because the dialogue is clear and realistic, and tied to real life situations like school, home, and work.
These movies won’t teach you Japanese on their own, but they can support your listening skills and help you get used to how the language sounds in real contexts.
If you choose the right films and watch them with intention, Ghibli movies can be a fun and motivating part of your Japanese learning routine!
Related posts
- 8 Ghibli Movies Set in Japan (and What They Teach Us About Japanese Culture)
- Where to get Your Japanese Listening Practice: The Epic List of Resources!
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Rebecca is the founder of Team Japanese. She spent two years teaching English in Ehime, Japan. Now back in the UK, she spends her time blogging, self-studying Japanese and wrangling a very genki toddler.