TRACING PRINCESS-SHIP IN STUDIO GHIBLI FILMS: AN ECO-FEMINIST CRITIQUE OF UNEXPECTED PRINCESSES OF JAPAN

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 2, 949 - 973, 01.12.2025

Ömer Said Birol , Başak Gezmen

https://doi.org/10.20488/sanattasarim.1827845

Öz

Since its establishment in 1985, Studio Ghibli has produced a series of films whose main
protagonists were princesses but mostly with stories far different from the traditional princess
narratives in Western film. The paper will focus on how Ghibli reinvents princess-ship
through the perspective of eco-feminism, specifically exploring how gender fluidity relates to
personal growth over environmentalism. Qualitative content analysis was made from five
purposively selected films on the aspects of characterization, narrative structure, and cultural
element integration in shōjo. The basis for analysis will include the portrayal of gender
roles, the crossing of femininity with nature, and the subverting of conventional princess
archetypes. Findings reveal that Ghibli princesses exhibit a blend of traditionally masculine
and feminine traits, challenging societal norms and offering more complex, multidimensional
female protagonists. Unlike Western princess narratives, particularly those popularized
by Disney, Ghibli’s heroines often operate outside traditional gender expectations, emphasizing
agency, resilience, and a deep connection with nature. The study concludes that
Studio Ghibli’s approach promotes a progressive, feminist perspective, encouraging young
audiences to embrace diverse models of femininity.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Studio Ghibli , Princess , Shōjo , Eco-feminism , Disney.

STUDIO GHIBLI FİLMLERİNDE PRENSES İZLERİ: JAPONYA’NIN BEKLENMEDİK PRENSES TİPLERİNE EKOFEMİNİST BİR BAKIŞ

Öz

1985’te kuruluşundan bu yana Studio Ghibli, başrollerinde prenseslerin yer aldığı ancak
çoğunlukla Batı sinemasındaki geleneksel prenses anlatılarından oldukça farklı hikayeler
barındıran filmler üretmiştir. Bu makale, Ghibli’nin prenseslik kavramını ekofeminist bir
bakış açısıyla nasıl yeniden tanımladığını incelemeye odaklanacak ve özellikle toplumsal
cinsiyet akışkanlığının çevrecilik üzerindeki kişisel gelişimle nasıl ilişkilendiğini araştıracaktır.
Beş filmin amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilerek nitel içerik analizi yapılmış; karakterizasyon,
anlatı yapısı ve shōjo kültürel unsurlarının entegrasyonu gibi yönler üzerinde
durulmuştur. Analizin temeli; toplumsal cinsiyet rollerinin tasviri, kadınlık ile doğa arasındaki
kesişim ve geleneksel prenses arketiplerinin altüst edilmesi gibi unsurlara dayanmaktadır.
Bulgular, Ghibli prenseslerinin geleneksel olarak hem maskülen hem de feminen
özellikler sergileyerek toplumsal normlara meydan okuduğunu ve daha karmaşık, çok boyutlu
kadın karakterler sunduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Batı’daki prenses anlatılarından,
özellikle Disney prenseslerinden farklı olarak, Ghibli’nin kahramanları çoğunlukla geleneksel
cinsiyet beklentilerinin dışında hareket eder; özneleşmeyi, dayanıklılığı ve doğayla
derin bir bağı vurgular. Çalışma, Studio Ghibli’nin yaklaşımının ilerici ve feminist bir bakış
açısını desteklediği ve genç izleyicileri kadınlığın çeşitli modellerini benimsemeye teşvik
ettiği sonucuna varmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Studio Ghibli , Prenses , Shōjo , Eko-feminizm , Disney.

Kaynakça

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