I love Studio Ghibli movies, so when I saw this tag, I knew I had to do it. This tag, though is admittedly rather long, as when it says it's about Ghibli heroines, it means all of them...
Now, usually, I put images in the tag as well, but there were just too many prompts that I decided not to. Also, like some other tags, I did end up shortening the titles because they were a bit chunky.
I found this on Zezee with Books, but it was created by Melting Pots and Other Calamities, so all credit goes to them.
Here we go!
NAUSICAA FROM NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND: NAME A STRONG FEMALE LEADER
For some reason, the first character that came to mind was Rin from The Poppy War. Was she the most morally sound character ever no, but she sure was strong and she knew exactly what she needed to do in order to succeed.
SHEETA FROM CASTLE IN THE SKY: NAME AN INSPIRING MEMBER OF ROYALTY
Royalty...royalty? I have not read many things about royalty, though I am sure I will because like 90% of the manhwa I keep seeing are all about royalty. I did find one though and, surprise surprise, it is another manga character. While the anime went a bit down the drain, Seven Deadly Sins is better consumed as a manga, and the character from it that comes to mind is Elizabeth.
Right off the bat you know she is strong because she went out of her way and risked looking for one of the biggest criminals because she needed help.
SATSUKI AND MEI FROM MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO: NAME A PAIR OF SIBLINGS
Straight to manga with this one as the siblings that immediately came to mind were Tanjiro and Nezuko from Demon Slayer. While they weren't originally a single pair, well, plot happened. I absolutely love their characters to bits though, as well as their dynamic.
KIKI FROM KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE: NAME A FEMALE CHARACTER WHO HAS SUPERNATURAL GIFTS
I read a lot of fantasy so, theoretically, I have many answers for this, yet I can't think of one from a series I haven't mentioned already. So, I am going to pick a random character - Soraya from Girl, Serpent, Thorn. She was cursed so that she was poisonous to the touch which, honestly, is kinda cool.
GINA AND FIO FROM PORCO ROSSO: NAME TWO INSPIRING HEROINES; ONE WHO IS UNABASHADELY FEMININE, AND ANOTHER WHO IS MORE OF A TOMBOY
Coming in with another manga answer, we've got Nobara and Maki from Jujutsu Kaisen. While both can kick ass, Nobara is more focused on her appearance, while Maki care more about her training and goal to spite the Zen'in family.
ANGEL FROM ON YOUR MARK: NAME AN UNDERRATED HEROINE
I have said it before, and I will say it again, Mereoleona Vermillion. Black Clover in general is a series that is somehow still underrated despite it being popular. Mereoleona though, what an absolute powerhouse of a woman.
Also, as a side note, I have never heard of this movie before...
SHIZUKU FROM WHISPER OF THE HEART: NAME YOUR MOST RELATABLE CHARACTER
You know, and I know, that I don't really like most characters let alone relate to them. Oddly enough though, a character did come to mind though, and she is another one from Black Clover - Charmy. Charmy is all about food, and I get that. I am the kind of person who always wonders what I am going to eat.
SAN FROM PRINCESS MONONOKE: NAME A FEMALE CHARACTER WHO IS PHYSICALLY STRONG
I am on a roll with manga answers since that is all that seems to be coming to mind. A female who is physically strong has got to be Maki from Fire Force. She repeatedly keeps thinking that the other members call her a gorilla, but that does go to show that she is a rather strong person.
CHIHIRO FROM SPIRITED AWAY: NAME A CHARACTER WHO HAS AN AMAZING JOURNEY
This is one of my favourite Ghibli movies, so I need to pick a fitting book for this. Now I know that a lot of people don't like this series, or character, but I followed Aelin from Throne of Glass through 7 long books, and it was quite the journey for both me and her.
HARU FROM THE CAT RETURNS: NAME A FEMALE CHARACTER WHO MAY NOT HAVE ANY SUPERNATURAL ABILITIES, BUT IS MEMORABLE ANYWAY
She might not be memorable for entirely a good reason, but she was memorable nonetheless. Spensa from Skyward was a bit of a tour-de-force kind of character because she did not back down (even though her ideologies were not exactly sound).
SOPHIE FROM HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE: NAME AN EMOTIONALLY STRONG CHARACTER
This movie ended up dethroning Spirited Away as my favourite Studio Ghibli movie. Now, I might as well keep this manga train rolling by picking Kyouka from Bungo Stray Dogs. Kyouka doesn't have the kindest childhood due to how she was used by the Port Mafia, but she does learn to cope with her trauma.
PONYO FROM PONYO: NAME A HERO WHO HAPPENS TO BE A CHILD
Honestly, the only person who comes to mind isn't technically a hero, but she is a child who lives in a world full of them. I am talking about Eri from My Hero Academia. She is such an adorable child and you can't help but love her (especially given her backstory).
ARRIETTY FROM THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY: NAME AN UNLIKELY HERO
Honestly, I got nothing. I've mentioned so many characters that immediately came to mind that I have run out. The only other answer I could find would be Lucy Pevensie. She was just a little girl who stumbled upon a wardrobe but ended up becoming so much more.
NAHOKO FROM THE WIND RISES: NAME AN INSPIRING CHARACTER WITH SOME SORT OF OBSTACLE
To use a different answer, I am going to go with Isobel from An Enchantment of Ravens. She gets herself in a bit of a sticky situation as she is accused of a crime and must get herself out of said situation.
KAGUYA FROM THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA: NAME A FEMALE CHARACTER WHO CHALLENGES SOCIAL NORMS
Well, I was browsing through the books I have read, and thought this was the perfect answer - Evelyn Hugo. She did not care about what people thought of her and did not hesitate to make that known. Sure she was a bit rough around the edges, but she was admirable for it.