The thesis compares films from the American Walt Disney Studio and the Japanese Ghibli Studio from the perspective of Western feminist film theory. I analyse selected films by both studios through the external and internal characteristics of their female characters, their roles within the storylines, and the messages conveyed to young viewers. The analysis sheds light on the evolution and changes of Western feminism and consumer expectations. My thesis concludes that Ghibli has been creating well-developed female characters that largely meet contemporary expectations since its establishment in the 1980s,while Disney only started to introduce similar heroines after 2010, primarily as a result of audience pressure.