Studio Ghibli in Fuse Beads: Totoro, Soot Sprites & Friends

Hello everyone! Today I’m taking you into the gentle world of Studio Ghibli. Ever since my kids fell for Totoro, our home has been overrun with little grey plushies… so of course we couldn’t resist recreating them in fuse beads (Hama beads, Perler beads — call them what you like)! The good news: with their round shapes and bold colours, Miyazaki’s characters are a perfect match for bead pixel art. I’ve gathered more than ten models for you, mixing finds from around the web with a couple of homemade grids to follow one square at a time.

Totoro and the forest spirits

There’s really no other place to start than with the star of the show: Totoro. This big forest spirit is a lovely beginner project — his egg-shaped body happily forgives a few wobbly rows. And once you’ve made the big one, there’s no stopping!

The big Totoro

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — The whole Ghibli crew in beads — The whole Ghibli crew in beads — *Source: Nerd Craftopia*

Just look at this cheerful line-up: the entire little troupe in one shot, enough to spark a dozen ideas at a glance. To actually get started, nothing beats a good bead-by-bead pattern.

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — A classic Totoro pattern — A classic Totoro pattern — *Source: Kandi Pad*

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — Totoro with his famous umbrella — Totoro with his famous umbrella — *Source: Kandi Pad*

Totoro with the umbrella — straight out of the bus-stop scene — is my personal favourite: it always looks great hanging in a window.

Little Totoros and a handy bookmark

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — A tiny Totoro pattern — A tiny Totoro pattern — *Source: Kandi Patterns*

The mini Totoros, white and blue, are perfect for using up leftover beads and keeping the kids busy on a rainy afternoon. And for the book lovers, this Totoro bookmark is a classic — just as cute as it is useful.

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — A Totoro fuse-bead bookmark — A Totoro fuse-bead bookmark — *Source: KeiMade*

Finally, I drew up my own homemade grid: a nice simple Totoro to bead square by square (1 square = 1 bead). Ideal as a very first model to make with children.

Homemade fuse bead grid — A little Totoro to recreate — A little Totoro to recreate — *Homemade grid, modeles-hama.com*

Spirited Away: No-Face and the soot sprites

Spirited Away is packed with characters made for beading. No-Face (Kaonashi), all in black and white, is almost suspiciously simple — perfect when you’re just starting out.

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — A Totoro, No-Face and Ponyo pattern — A Totoro, No-Face and Ponyo pattern — *Source: Kandi Patterns*

This pattern actually brings three favourites together on a single pegboard: handy for a little family workshop.

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — Ghibli decorations to hang up — Ghibli decorations to hang up — *Source: Nerd Craftopia*

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — A garland of little sprites — A garland of little sprites — *Source: Nerd Craftopia*

But my absolute darlings are the soot sprites (susuwatari), those fuzzy little balls of soot scurrying everywhere. They are THE model for younger crafters: a black ball, two little eyes, and you’re done. I’ve drawn one up as a homemade grid, ready to follow.

Homemade fuse bead grid — A super-simple soot sprite to bead — A super-simple soot sprite to bead — *Homemade grid, modeles-hama.com*

Ponyo, Howl’s castle and Ghibli home decor

In the middle of summer, it’s hard to resist Ponyo, the little red fish-girl who dreams of becoming human. Her bright colours make for a joyful, quick little project.

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — A colourful Ponyo pattern — A colourful Ponyo pattern — *Source: Kandi Patterns*

And if you get hooked on Ghibli, why not turn your creations into everyday objects? I love the idea of this little box decorated Ghibli-style — not forgetting Calcifer, the cheeky flame from Howl’s Moving Castle, who beads up beautifully in a gradient of orange and yellow.

Studio Ghibli Hama bead model — A little box decorated Ghibli-style — A little box decorated Ghibli-style — *Source: KeiMade*

If you enjoy recreating your favourite animated heroes, do take a look at our little Disney princesses in Hama beads, or at these too-cute animals to make with ironing beads — the grid principle is exactly the same.

Grab your pegboards!

That’s it for this stroll through the forests of Studio Ghibli. Whether you go for the majestic big Totoro or a merry army of soot sprites, the point is simply to have fun. A grid, a little patience, a press of the iron… and the magic happens. Show me your creations — I can’t wait to see them. See you very soon for another selection — Léa ★