Pixar's Luca is set in a colorful seaside town in 20th century Italy, but the movie is an example of the many Studio Ghibli Pixar connections. Studio Ghibli is best known for the work of directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata on films like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies. Luca uses Pixar's signature three-dimensional CGI animation instead of Ghibli's more traditional style and hand-drawn look, but Studio Ghibli clearly inspired Disney through Luca's setting, visuals, and treatment of female characters.

Luca follows a young sea monster who longs to walk on the surface, where he can transform into a human boy. After emerging onto land, he befriends fellow sea monster Alberto and the pair venture to the town Portorosso, where they must keep their identities secret as the Portorosso's townspeople hate sea monsters like them. Pixar's most obvious Studio Ghibli connection in Luca is the town's name,...