What does ‘Ghibli’ really mean? The Arabic, Italian, and Anime connection

The word Ghibli has been trending on all social media platforms for the past 24 hours or so. Every person present on at least one of the various social media apps has seen a person posting about how they transformed an image into its Ghibli version and how the new version is so much better than the original. If the rising popularity of the trend has you opening your Google search bar to figure out what the term even means, read below and find out.

The word 'Ghibli' has various meanings and pronunciations in different cultures. Its origin can be found in the Arabic word, Ghibli which refers to the hot and dry wind that flows through the Sahara Desert and the entire Mediterranean region. In Libya particularly, the wind is called the Ghibli (pronounced as ghibli) wind and thus, the general belief remains that Miyazaki named his renowned animation studio after the word as he wished to blow a new hot wind through the anime industry with his creations and changing the path of the genre.
During World War II, the Italian Air Force adopted the nickname Ghibli for an aircraft whose name was Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli. The second theory regarding the name 'Studio Ghibli' lies in the fact that Miyazaki was an avid fan of aviation. This is supported by his work in Laputa: Castle in the Sky, the studio's first animation feature, and Porco Rosso, the story of a flying ace saving the world.

While Miyazaki has never explained the origin of the famous animation studio's name, fans believe that both theories give a befitting explanation, considering the success the studio has achieved over the years. Studio Ghibli (pronounced in Japanese as jibli) was the brainchild of Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, who started it in 1985. Miyazaki, who is an aviation enthusiast and a lover of anime, took inspiration from the Italian aircraft and its Arabic connection to name the company 'Studio Ghibli' a studio that would be a pioneer in animation and "blow a new wind through the anime industry," with creativity, fresh perspective and emotional storytelling, all of which the studio is now popular for.
If you ask any anime fan about their favourite piece of work, it would include at least one Studio Ghibli production. The studio is a global icon when it comes to animation and has created mind-blowing masterpieces such as My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and more. While Princess Mononoke was the first animated film to win the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year, Spirited Away was the studio's first creation to be nominated and win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003.
Characterised by their hand-drawn unique animations, a serene pastel colour background and exploratory themes of storytelling, Studio Ghibli is the reigning champion in animation. It's creations such as 'Spirited Away', 'Castle in the Sky', 'The Boy and the Heron', 'The Wind Rises', 'The Grave of the Fireflies' and 'Kiki's Delivery Service' are some must-watch for people who want to familiarise themselves with the exemplary animation art of the studio. However, beware of shedding some tears as these plots are just so magical and touching they are sure to make you emotional and teary-eyed.