For the Fans
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio created by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata as well as two other partners. It has produced many critically acclaimed movies such as Spirited Away, which is considered one of the best animated movies ever made.
The film, however, is by no means the only popular Studio Ghibli movie. Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbour Totoro, and Princess Mononoke, just to name a few, are all stunning films that have touched the lives of children and adults alike.
Studio Ghibli’s fandom includes more than just anime fans. Art and film enthusiasts as well as those who simply grew up with the films are all enchanted by the lore of the worlds created by Miyazaki, Takahata, and others. Some of these fans are nowadays makers, and they have brought the magic of Studio Ghibli films to reality thanks to the magic of 3D printing.
In this article, we’ve gathered the best Studio Ghibli-inspired models to add to your collection. If you see something you like but get overwhelmed at the thought of 3D printing it, try Craftcloud by All3DP. With a huge range of materials and finishes, you’ll be able to get a print just the way you want it in just a few magical clicks.
Now, let’s take a peek at the best models from our favorite films!
Spirited Away
Spirited Away is Studio Ghibli’s most critically acclaimed film. Chihiro, the 10-year-old main character of the film, is moving to a new city when she and her parents come across what seems to be an abandoned town. However, this town is filled with delicious food that her parents eat, causing them to turn into pigs. In order to save them, Chihiro must work in the town’s bathhouse and gain the favor of the witch Yubaba.
This movie has many charming and compelling characters like Yubaba, Haku, No-Face, and Chihiro herself. You’ll quickly find that most of the 3D models related to Spirited Away focus on the characters, and with many different designs adapted for 3D printing, No-Face is by far the most popular.
Sweet No-Face
No-Face, or Kaonashi in Japanese, is an original character from the film that appears (and disappears) many times in the movie. This little No-Face model is made in a cute style (kawaii); he’s holding a heart to show you how much he loves you.
The model can be printed with a dual extruder printer or simply printed in parts and then glued together. No supports are required.
- Who designed it? 3DPrintDogs
- How popular/printable is it? This model was published in June 2020, and it already has over 200 downloads.
- Where to find it? Cults
Bathhouse
The bathhouse, located in the spirit realm, is the most important location in the story, as it’s where most of the movie takes place. It’s owned by the witch Yubaba who will hire anyone who asks for a job. Thus, Chihiro finds herself working in the bathhouse, preparing baths and bringing food to its many guests.
In this model, the impressive details from the exterior have all been kept, even the boiler room’s entrance. The designer makes it clear that the model requires good printing quality to achieve all the details. They recommend a resolution between 0.1 and 0.2 mm.
The inside, however, is hollow so it can be used as a travel box. The model is printed in two parts, which aren’t terribly big. As such, you can print them on any regular-sized 3D printer.
- Who designed it? tomes_is_very_cool
- How popular/printable is it? 187 people have downloaded this model.
- Where to find it? Cults
Soot Sprites
The Susuwatari, or Soot Sprites, are spirits that actually appear in My Neighbor Totoro as well as in Spirited Away. In the latter, they work and live in Kamajii’s boiler room in the bathhouse, where the water for all the baths is controlled. Their work basically consists of carrying coal from the coal deposit over to the furnace, and they must do so to remain spirits instead of lifeless soot.
A model is in the works to add arms and legs. For now, there’s only the textured ball version available, but there are four different versions of them.
As the model is essentially a ball, you don’t need a high infill density percentage. However, you’ll definitely need supports for the body, and depending on your printer, you may need a raft. The body and eyes are different pieces, but you won’t need any glue, as the whites of the eyes will go into the pupils.
- Who designed it? dwal9
- How popular/printable is it? This model has seven posted Makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Greedy No-Face
After first appearing outside of the bathhouse, No-Face makes a reappearance later on when it’s raining. Chihiro lets him into the bathhouse, and he soon discovers that the workers like gold. Imagining himself as a guest, he starts demanding food and luxurious baths in exchange for magically conjured gold. He even ends up swallowing a few spirits, which gives him new abilities.
This model portrays the version of No-Face that’s greedy and demanding with froggy legs, has a monstrous mouth, and an insatiable appetite. It can be printed on its own or with the base platform and a little shrine. Supports are needed, and given the small footprint of the first layers, you can choose whether or not to use a raft depending on your printer.
- Who designed it? 3D Printed Aspie
- How popular/printable is it? This model has over 2,300 views.
- Where to find it? Pinshape
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro came out three years before Spirited Away, and it has one of Studio Ghibli’s most recognizable characters: Totoro. He’s even on the company’s logo!
The story centers around two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, who move to rural Japan to be closer to their mother who is sick in the hospital. They aren’t immediately impressed by the new house, so they go exploring in the garden and eventually meet the spirits who will take them on wonderful, magical adventures.
Most of the merchandise, and consequently the available 3D models, associated with the film focus on Totoro, showing him in different poses, holding various items, or giving him specific functionalities. Another fan favorite is Catbus, a Chesire cat-like character who’s fun to model and print.
Totoro
Totoro is a big, furry, cat-like creature who seems to be one spirit of a grove near the sisters’ house. There are many Totoro-like spirits in the grove, but Totoro is the biggest and most expressive of them all. His most iconic characteristic is a big, borderline creepy smile, which you can see in this model.
Unlike the original Totoro, the model doesn’t have whiskers, which surely would be a challenge to print. It’s also only one piece. Since the curves are all incremental, you don’t need supports, but you can choose to add them if you wish.
Totoro Planter
As a forest creature, Totoro loves nature, so it would only make sense that he helps you to grow your plants! In this version, he has his characteristic smile, and instead of a belly, there’s a hole for a small flower or a succulent.
The hole is approximately 30 mm along both the X- and Y-axes, and 45 mm along the Z-axis. That gives you an idea of what plants you can fit in there. Still, you can always scale the model up!
The model can be printed in one piece and will need supports for the belly area.
- Who designed it? LorisBotello
- How popular/printable is it? The Totoro Planter has nearly 300 downloads, and one community print has been posted.
- Where to find it? Cults
Cookie Cutters
These cookie cutters could be an easy way to impress if you’re preparing a Studio Ghibli-themed party or simply want to make something other than the usual circle-shaped cookies. Kids will certainly be excited, whether or not they know who Totoro is.
There’s a model for Totoro and another for the Catbus. They’re pretty easy to print, but be careful when taking them off the printing bed because they’re quite thin. You want to be delicate and not pull on them roughly, as they might break. Also, remember to use a food-friendly filament.
- Who designed it? TeamOliva
- How popular/printable is it? The Totoro cookie cutter has three Makes, and the Catbus has six.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse: Totoro Cookie Cutter and Catbus Cookie Cutter
Catbus
Catbus is – you guessed it – a bus-like cat spirit who aids the girls in their adventures. The creator recommends printing the face separate from the body, with the back of the head on the build-plate. This improves the print quality of the face.
The creator, however, offers different options so that you can find one that works best for your printer. Regardless of the option you choose, you’ll need to print with supports.
- Who designed it? Bad_Lieutenant_666
- How popular/printable is it? The model has four Makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is another critically acclaimed Studio Ghibli film, and it’s one with a very important message. This movie teaches us about the effects that hate and greed can have on one another and our planet. It’s set in a town that produces iron weapons and contaminates a river nearby. San, a girl who lives with wolf gods on the other side of the river, is trying to keep the town’s people from coming into and exploiting the forest.
In comparison to the other movies, the available 3D models related to this film are quite varied. You can find characters, creatures, and even some weapons to print. We’ve selected the best of these to help you create your own Princess Mononoke aesthetic.
Kodama
The Kodamas are forest spirits whose presence is an indication that the forest is healthy. They help guide Ashitaka through the forest when he’s helping some injured men. Later, when Lady Eboshi – the ruler of Irontown – is cutting down the forest’s trees, the Kodamas start to die.
This Kodama model is in one of the many poses shown in the movie, and you can print many to keep you company at home! The model is perfectly balanced while sitting on the floor. It should be printed in ABS if you’re going to put it outside, as it will withstand the environment better. The designer also recommends giving it a DIY acetone bath to give it a smooth surface finish and shine.
San's Mask
San, who was raised by the wolf goddess Moro and believes herself to be a wolf, has a very distinctive look. The first time she appears in the film, her face is covered by a mask, and she’s wrapped in white fur.
Thanks to this design, you can 3D print San’s mask for cosplay. Depending on the size of your head, the model can be scaled as needed. There are also options to print it as a full piece or in parts. Both a raft and supports are required. You can even add sunglass lenses to the eye holes to cover your eyes!
- Who designed it? FurtherFabrication
- How popular/printable is it? So far, 10 Makes have been posted.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
San Bust
San is compassionate and loving to all the forest’s creatures and resents the humans due to the harm they’ve caused to the forest. In this model, we can see her face with red warpaint as well as the mask and white wolf fur as a hood.
This print is highly detailed and is meant for resin printing. It’s recommended to use Photon File Validator, as you’ll need a lot of supports. You could also try it with an FDM printer, though it will most likely not look as good.
- Who designed it? Alborans_Heroes
- How popular/printable is it? The model has over 8,000 views and 670 downloads.
- Where to find it? Cults
Yakul
Yakul is a peaceful and loyal red elk, who accompanies Ashitaka on his journey. So, it only makes sense that he, too, deserves a 3D model. This design doesn’t have the full reins, which avoids breakable geometries and reduces the number of supports needed. Aside from that, the model looks remarkably like Yakul in the film.
The model is not too big to be printed on a regular FDM printer. It needs supports along its belly and neck. It’s also recommended to use rafts or a brim as at the start, the print stands only on the small hooves.
- Who designed it? LadyDretza
- How popular/printable is it? Only one Make has been shared so far, but the results are remarkable.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Howl's Moving Castle
Released in 2004, Howl’s Moving Castle is an adaptation of a book published in 1986 by the same name. The film’s plot is definitely one of the most confusing ones to follow, and you may need a couple of rewatches before you understand it completely. A hint: Pay close attention to what Howl says the first time he finds Sophie.
The movie has a lot of iconic characters that can be found as models on 3D printing repositories. In addition to Howl and Calcifer (a fire demon), you’ll find Turnip Head (an enchanted scarecrow), Heen the dog, and the moving castle itself, which is stunning in concept and execution and looks exceptionally good as a 3D print.
Turnip Head
Turnip Head is an enchanted scarecrow that Sophie finds on her way to Howl’s castle. He seems to want to follow her everywhere. And as you would suspect, he has a turnip for a head.
The model comes in parts. Some can be assembled, while others have to be glued. It’s suitable for FDM printers, and an infill of at least 20% is recommended. When finished, the model is around 30 cm tall.
Calcifer
Calcifer is the fire demon who keeps the castle alive and moving. Bound to service at Howl’s home through a magical contract, Calcifer is very powerful, but he can’t leave.
This Calcifer model with firewood can be printed in a transparent filament, and with an LED inside, it’ll glow. Simply follow the designer’s instructions for the infill and layer height. The main thing to remember is to print the with 0% infill if you want to make it light up.
- Who designed it? Thorkon
- How popular/printable is it? There are two Makes and two Remixes of this model.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Calcifer Cookie Cutter
As one of the most beloved characters of the film, a Calcifer cookie cutter would be another great addition to your Studio Ghibli-themed party. This model even comes with the added bonus of a sugar cookie recipe. If you add red coloring, it’ll look just like him! Don’t forget to use a food-safe filament.
- Who designed it? TeamOliva
- How popular/printable is it? This model has two shared Makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Howl's Castle
Howl’s Castle is a masterpiece of conceptual art. From the outside, you can see it’s composed of many rooms, small houses, boilers, furnaces, feet, and even a fish-like tail. All those details were impressively captured by the creator of this 3D model.
The model includes about 13 parts, which need to be glued together. Some need supports and others don’t. The largest part is 207 mm x 111 mm, so they should all fit on a regular-sized printer.
- Who designed it? mag-net
- How popular/printable is it? This is a very popular model with over 3,000 downloads and 6 posted makes.
- Where to find it? Cults, Thingiverse
Other Films
There are quite a few Studio Ghibli films (both short and feature length). All have stunning visuals and stories. We couldn’t give them all their own categories, so we’ve added this section to give you a sampling of the best 3D printed models we found.
Ohmu
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind centers around Nausicaä, a young princess who has to save her people from giant warriors. These warriors were weapons of an apocalyptic war that occurred a millennia ago and created a toxic jungle called the Sea of Corruption. Giant creatures live in the jungle including the Ohmus, which are represented in this model.
This 3D printed Ohmu is made of two parts. The inside is completely solid and doesn’t really add much to the structure, so it can be printed with low infill density to save on material. We also recommend a thick layer height because the legs might be easily broken otherwise.
- Who designed it? Daniel Kirjanov
- How popular/printable is it? The model has nearly 2,300 views.
- Where to find it? Pinshape
Porco Rosso's Aircraft
Porco Rosso is actually a comedy film, which isn’t that common for Studio Ghibli. It was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and is based on a watercolor manga also created by him. “Porco Rosso”, in fact, means red pig in Italian, and the main character is an ex-war pilot cursed to look like a pig. This model is the iconic aircraft he flies: the Savoia S.21.
The model is made in three separate parts with slots for assembly. It’s suitable for both FDM and SLA printing, but SLA will achieve better detailing. If you’re printing with an FDM printer, use a fine resolution for a smoother surface. Supports are required, as is a delicate hand to get the parts off the print bed.
- Who designed it? Benjijart
- How popular/printable is it? The aircraft has three shared Makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Laputa's Guardian
Castle in the Sky is another acclaimed film, especially in Steampunk circles due to the film’s retro-futuristic aesthetic. The movie tells the story of Sheeta, the princess of Laputa – an ancient floating city (kind of like a reverse Atlantis) – who is running away from air pirates that want to find Laputa and get its riches for themselves.
This model is of Laputa’s giant robot guardians who are central to the story. It’s one piece and requires supports, but the maker mfritz created a Remix that’s broken into different pieces and doesn’t require supports.
- Who designed it? Miki808
- How popular/printable is it? So far, there is one Make and one Remix of this model.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Logo Plaque
As mentioned before, Totoro is such an iconic character that he’s featured on Studio Ghibli’s logo. A 3D printed logo plaque would be a great addition to a fan’s memorabilia collection.
As a single part and straightforward print, it’s a quick and simple project for your collection. It’s also a good contender for dual extrusion printing.
- Who designed it? pazkoo59
- How popular/printable is it? Three Makes have been shared.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Lead image source: Yappycat via Thingiverse
License: The text of "Studio Ghibli 3D Prints: My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away & More" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.