Did You Know There’s A Studio Ghibli Game?

If you’re a fan of movies like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle, there’s an underappreciated gem waiting to be discovered in the realm of video games.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but eagerly anticipate the immersive gaming experience that would unfold from a collaboration between the creative minds at Level-5 (the geniuses behind Professor Layton and Dragon Quest) and the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli. The thought of such a partnership brings excitement to my heart!

The game under discussion goes by the name “Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch”. Initially launched on PlayStation 3 back in 2011, it has now been upgraded for contemporary gaming platforms.

In case you are so excited, that you need to see a trailer right now, you can do that here.

The “Wrath of the White Witch” is an upgraded edition of the 2010 Nintendo DS game known as “Ni no Kuni: Dominion of the Dark Djinn,” initially launched in Japan, similar to “Inazuma Eleven.

The Origins of a Unique Collaboration

The collaboration between Studio Ghibli and Level-5 arose from a fortunate alignment of schedules and an immense creative drive.

Naoya Fujimaki, a musician known for his collaborations with two well-established entities, facilitated a meeting between him and Studio Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki, which was overseen by Akihiro Hino, the head of Level-5.

Coincidentally, Studio Ghibli had recently finished working on the film “Ponyo”, leaving their animation crew without an ongoing project for a change.

Intrigued by Hino’s passion and sincerity, Suzuki agreed to the project.

What began as a small idea blossomed into one of the most visually rich games of its generation.

A Studio Ghibli Film in Game Form

In essence, Studio Ghibli primarily concentrated on the visual aspects of the game, specifically its art design and animation. To infuse a more film-like quality, they took charge of creating animated scenes that highlighted key narrative points, all done in their distinctive style.

In this game, the cutscenes are artistically crafted by hand with classic techniques, whereas the studio contributes character concepts, scene planning, and overall cinematic guidance.

“We approached the game exactly the same way we would approach one of our films.”

Yoshiyuki Momose was the director of animation for the project at Ghibli Studio. He played a significant role in the design phase and guided the actors during motion-capture sessions.

Or, more concisely:

Yoshiyuki Momose, as Ghibli’s animation director, contributed to design and supervised actors during motion capture.

In an exclusive interview, Momose acknowledged that developing the game expanded Studio Ghibli into unexplored realms of creativity. He mused about how transitioning to a different format broadened the possibilities for their traditional narrative methods.

“In some instances, we made characters we wouldn’t normally create,…”

Simultaneously, Level-5 found themselves assigned the mission of transforming Studio Ghibli’s hand-illustrated universe into a three-dimensional gaming landscape.

In order to keep a uniform aesthetic, our team fine-tuned the color schemes, lighting effects, and movement pacing within game scenes to correspond with the cinematic sequences.

Developers found it tricky to achieve cel shading, often turning to Studio Ghibli movies for inspiration to replicate their distinctive visual aesthetic.

A Ghibli World Through and Through

The charm of Studio Ghibli pervades virtually all elements of Ni no Kuni. Much like their animated movies, the game is filled with magical elements, enchanting creatures, conversing felines, and distinctively Studio Ghibli-esque designs.

In the initial stages of the game, one character shares striking similarities with Ponyo. It’s quite an intentional nod, in my opinion. Similarly, another character seems to have taken inspiration from Howl, the main character from Howl’s Moving Castle.

In a broader sense, the overall narrative of the game, which centers on the influence of emotions, carries similarities to the frequent motifs found in Studio Ghibli’s works.

It’s quite fitting, indeed, for the studio to explore themes where individuals need to reclaim missing aspects of themselves using magical means.

A Story About Love And Loss

The game follows Oliver, a 13-year-old boy living in the quiet town called Motorville.

In the throes of unbearable sadness, losing my dear mother in an unexpected accident, I found myself grappling with grief. But then, something extraordinary happened – my childhood comfort, a plush fairy named Drippy, sprung to life! He confided that he hailed from another realm under siege by the wicked sorcerer Shadar.

In Drippy’s opinion, if Oliver manages to rescue Alicia, a wise woman from another realm who is his mother’s soulmate, there’s a chance she could return to our world. The story that unfolds next is an exciting adventure spanning two interconnected realms, replete with peril and poignancy.

Even before Ghibli became part of the project, the narrative’s foundation had been laid; however, the studio participated in discussions concerning pivotal moments and significantly influenced the emotional impact of the climax.

Gameplay: A World Worth Exploring

Ni no Kuni is an action role-playing game that breaks away from traditional turn-based mechanics.

In this game, players direct Oliver and his companions in real-time fights equipped with mystical weapons. Additionally, players can summon creatures called familiars, which can be caught and enhanced, similar to the ones found in Pokémon games. Each familiar possesses distinct strengths and skills, making them essential for combat success.

The game encourages strategic planning: selecting the appropriate creature companion and aligning it with the ideal human character significantly impacts the outcome of battles.

Beyond conflict, the game promotes exploration. Players are free to traverse a vast landscape, delve into dungeons, discover various whimsical villages, and solve intriguing puzzles. They can also revisit Motorville to unearth hidden truths and bridge connections between the two realms.

As time passes, modes of transport adapt with the narrative, offering options like walking, sailing, or riding dragons. This expansive realm conceals secret treasure chests, optional missions, and delightful discoveries for those who are inquisitive.

The Music: Hisaishi’s Magic Touch

In a remarkable feat, renowned composer Joe Hisaishi, known for his work at Ghibli Studios, created and recorded the game’s unique orchestral pieces using the prestigious Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. This was his debut effort on a full-length video game soundtrack.

“I felt that it was going to be a very exciting project,”

Hisaishi said in a Behind the Scenes.

Talking about the tone of the soundtrack, he recalls:

“The music was meant to have a certain elegance, based on traditional Irish folk music among others. Something nostalgic, but still connected to the future.”

Reportedly, he composed 21 songs in just seven days.

What Came After

In a flurry of positive reviews, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was widely acclaimed. The critics were especially impressed with the game’s artistic design and its groundbreaking combat system.

The game continued to accumulate several accolades, such as “Best Role-Playing Game” and “Best Visual Design.” It stands out as one of the most cherished Japanese role-playing games from the 2010s and is widely recognized for its captivating portrayal of Studio Ghibli’s enchantment.

Back in 2018, I was thrilled to dive into the next installment from Level-5 titled “Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom.” This game built upon its universe and gameplay elements, but one thing that was noticeably absent was the return of Studio Ghibli.

In the second installment, while it retained the visual style, numerous viewers believed that the initial release had a deeper emotional impact and more enchanting visuals.

If Ghibli ever collaborated on another game, what kind of world would you want to explore?

Tell us in the comments!

2025-07-17 17:10