Over the past few decades, Star Wars has become one of the most beloved properties with fans around the world.

Grogu, known by many fans as Baby Yoda, first appeared in The Mandalorian, a series on Disney+ currently celebrating its third anniversary. 

With his mysterious background and incredible use of the Force, the tiny and adorable character became a hit with fans around the world, quickly making him one of the most popular characters in the recent Star Wars series.

World-renowned Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli recently produced a short animation starring Grogu and Makkuro Kurosuke, also known as the Wandering Soot or, in the title for the short, Dust Bunnies. The characters first appeared in the film My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki have long been friends with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, who readily agreed to produce the short as a symbol of their longstanding friendship. The short was directed by Katsuya Kondo.

Will you give this a watch on Disney+?

（C）2022 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.（C）2022 Studio Ghibli.

The anime Star Wars anthology Star Wars: Visions is coming to Disney Plus on September 22, and ahead of release, a more detailed trailer has been released to excited audiences worldwide. Seven of Japan’s leading animation studios are participating in the highly-anticipated project, which will tell nine new stories from the Star Wars universe. Each studio will bring their own unique vision to the epic space opera, and fans worldwide have been blown away by the new teaser footage. 

While details on the nine stories are still scarce, the global trailer does feature some of the show’s voice actors: English audiences recognized actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Harbour, while the Japanese trailer featured such well-known performers as Masako Nozawa, Yuichi Nakamura, Junya Enoki, Yuma Uchida, Daisuke Hirakawa, and Hiroyuki Yoshino. 

The project aims to introduce Japanese anime and pop culture to the world in a new way. The trailer contains fantastical lightsaber battles and unique characters along with memorable moments from the films, including the famous line “May the Force be with you.” Fans around the world are raising their expectations for the explosive final product. 

Global Trailer (In Japanese with English Subtitles)

English Dubbed Trailer (In English with Japanese Subtitles)

Below is a list of the animated shorts featured in Star Wars: Visions, as well as the contributing studio: 

The Duel – Kamikaze Douga

Lop and Ochō – Geno Studio (Twin Engine) 

Tatooine Rhapsody – Studio Colorido (Twin Engine) 

The Twins – Trigger

The Elder – Trigger

The Village Bride – Kinema Citrus

Akakiri – Science Saru

T0-B1 – Science Saru 

The Ninth Jedi – Production IG

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, has cited Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, and Japanese culture as a whole, as a great influence on his works. The executive producer of Star Wars: Visions, James Waugh, calls the project ‘a love letter from Lucasfilm to Japan, the country that gave the world anime culture.’

©2021 TM & c Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Lucasfilm and Disney+ have unveiled the first look at their new anime anthology series Star Wars: Visions and revealed that all nine episodes will be released on September 22, 2021.

The announcement was shared during Anime Expo Lite 2021, the digital version of the annual Anime Expo in the US, where it was revealed that the anthology of animated short films is being created by seven Japanese anime studios that will use “their signature animation and storytelling styles to realize their own visions of the galaxy far, far away.”

George Lucas has publicly expressed how Japanese folktales and the films of Akira Kurosawa have had and continue to have an influence on his work, including Star Wars, which has been poured into its themes, stories, and characters. Now things are being flipped around as Japan’s animation studios create their take on the franchise.

Below is the list of studios and the titles of their upcoming animated shorts:

• Kamikaze Douga – The Duel
• Geno Studio (Twin Engine) – Lop and Ochō
• Studio Colorido (Twin Engine) – Tatooine Rhapsody
• Trigger – The Twins
• Trigger – The Elder
• Kinema Citrus – The Village Bride
• Science Saru – Akakiri
• Science Saru – T0-B1
• Production IG – The Ninth Jedi

Check out a special look of the series below which was posted on the official Star Wars YouTube channel.

The video features some of the Japanese anime industry’s top creators each expressing their love for Star Wars. It also looks at how the unique style of Japanese anime is a perfect lens for expressing the franchise.

Star Wars: Visions will release on Disney+ on September 22, 2021.

©2021 TM & c Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Japanese messaging app LINE announced that their casual puzzle game LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum has broken 90 million views. The popular game launched a collaboration with the Star Wars franchise on Tuesday which is set to run until May 31.

LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum is based off Disney’s collectable stuffed toy series. The game launched first in Japan on January 29, 2014, before rolling out to the US, UK, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere on July 1 of the same year. Tsum Tsum and 400-or-so characters are popular around the world with the toys having appeared in Disney films, commercials, at events, and more.

In celebration of the puzzle game reaching 90 million downloads, the Today’s Mission feature is offering a 10x bonus. The game is also collaborating with Star Wars until the end of May where Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper are making an appearance. And for the duration of May, the game’s title logo and background music has been changed into traditional Japanese styles.

Tsum Tsum Tenka Touitsu Event

Another in-game event is also ongoing where players can receive pins and a Princess Minnie by clearing the mission.

©Disney 

©Disney/Pixar 

©& TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

The Star Wars Book is a new publication being released in Japan that chronicles the entire Star Wars Saga, from the 1977 film A New Hope to the 2019 The Rise of Skywalker. It also includes spin off stories, information on the animated series as well as the characters, creatures, weapons, vehicles, and more.

©&TM LUCASFILM LTD.

The book is a must-have for fans of the series whether you have full knowledge of its rich world and want to relive it in its entirety, or if there is more you want to read into.

Tokyo Disneyland® is set to open its all-new Beauty and the Beast area of the park tomorrow on September 28, 2020. It’s opening in line with the new Big Hero 6 attraction, Minnie Mouse area where guests can meet Minnie, and the park’s new popcorn shop.

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON was granted early access to the news areas, so here’s our review!

Check out our review of the new Beauty and the Beast area too here: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/362152

The Happy Ride with Baymax: The world’s first Big Hero 6 attraction

The Happy Ride with Baymax ride has guests joining one of the personal healthcare companion robots on an exciting cart ride.

The park is limiting the number of people allowed on the attraction at once due to the pandemic. To board the attraction, guests need to download the app after entering the park.

Big Pop: Tokyo Disneyland’s first popcorn shop

Tokyo Disneyland’s first permanent popcorn shop opens in Tomorrowland.

This space-themed shop serves up a whole range of flavours like cookie cream, caramel and cheese, and strawberry milk. There’s also four different popcorn baskets to choose form, including Big Hero 6 and Beauty and the Beast designs.

Minnie’s Style Studio: Meet Minnie Mouse

This studio imagines Minnie Mouse as an international fashion designer who designs outfits, shoots photos, and more. Guests can meet Minnie Mouse at her studio if they book in advance.

©Disney

Tokyo Disneyland® is set to open its all-new Beauty and the Beast area of the park tomorrow on September 28, 2020. It’s opening in line with the new Big Hero 6 attraction, Minnie Mouse area where guests can meet Minnie, and the park’s new popcorn shop.

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON was granted early access to the Beauty and the Beast area – here’s our review!

Check out our review of the new Big Hero 6 attraction and Minnie’s Style Studio too here: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/362221

The world of Beauty and the Beast brought to life

The area connects Belle’s village to Beast’s castle by way of the forest. At the entrance to the village, guests will immediately spot the cottage of Maurine, Belle’s father and the vilage inventor. Beyond that is Gaston’s water fountain as well as a restaurant inspired by Gaston’s bar. There are also other shops that Belle visits in the film, such as the bookshop. It’s like stepping into the magical world itself.

When you leave the village and head through the forest, you are met by the spectacle that is Beast’s castle, coloured in a cute pink. There’s a large-scale attraction inside called “Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast.”

The Tokyo Disneyland-original attraction “Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast”

The attraction, located inside the towering 30m-tall castle, features magical cups that guests board. The cups dance in rhythm to music from the film as they take guests through iconic moments seen in the Disney classic.

There are many surprises and discoveries to be found inside the castle.

The park is limiting the number of people allowed on the attraction at once due to the pandemic. To board the attraction, guests need to download the app after entering the park.

Village shops based on the movie

The Village Shops area features a line of shops inspired by those seen in Belle’s town, each of which sells various items from clothing to accessories and souvenirs.

There are around 100 pieces of merchandise for fans to sift through.

The shops are also carrying out measures against COVID-19, showcasing the items in a display only so they cannot be touched when entering the store. Guests must use the sign-up system on the app beforehand if they want to enter the shop.

La Taverne de Gaston

All the little details have been captured to recreate Gaston’s bar, making it like a snippet right out of the film.

Big Bite Croissant

Very Cheers

Sweet Gaston

The menu features a line-up dishes, drinks, and desserts, like sausage croissants with, French toasted cheese sandwiches, soft drinks made to look like beer, and more. The bar also requires booking on the app prior to visiting.

Le Fou’s Churros (Apple Caramel)

Le Fou’s is located next to La Taverne de Gaston where you can get your fingers on snacks like apple caramel churros.

And don’t miss up on visiting the new popcorn wagon either which serves popcorn in a Beauty and the Beast bucket.

The new Beauty and the Beast area is a must-visit for any fan of the film, or for people who want to feel like a Disney princess.

©Disney

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea launched their first ever music playlists on all major streaming websites on Friday, including on Spotify and Apple Music.

Music from Tokyo Disneyland features everything from famous ballads and show music from the park to Tokyo Disneyland’s nostalgic anniversary theme song, a “Ride Through Mix” that has you feeling like you’re on the park’s attractions, and more. It’s a magic-filled Tokyo Disneyland musical fantasy.

Music from Tokyo DisneySea follows the same course as the Tokyo Disneyland playlist, except it also has the theme songs of the park’s seven ports. It’s packed full of imagination the likes of which you can only experience at Tokyo DisneySea.

New songs are set to be added from both parks each season, so you can feel like you’re at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea from your own home all year round!

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea will be temporarily closed until March 15 to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. Japan’s Coronavirus Countermeasures Taskforce has advised that there is a high risk of spreading the infection at large-scale sports and culture events and facilities where large numbers of people travel from across the country and congregate in one area. As many facilities and events in Tokyo are being restricted, postponed and even cancelled over the next two weeks, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea announced that both parks will close temporarily from February 29 – March 15, 2020.

The parks plan to reopen on March 16, 2020, however this will be decided following consultation with concerned administrative agencies and will be announced on their official website. If you have already purchased tickets which are valid during the parks’ closing dates, please refer to the links below.

The world is about to get its first Big Hero 6 themed park attraction, “The Happy Ride with Baymax,” at Tokyo Disneyland when it opens on April 15, 2020.

In promotion of the exciting new ride, Tokyo Disneyland has announced it will serve six different Baymax inspired menu items starting from April 8ーa week before The Happy Ride with Baymax’s grand opening.

Baymax Curry – ¥1,480 @ Center Street Coffeehouse

When you think of Baymax, you think of his white, chubby round face and body. Well, that image has been brought to life in this curry dish, with Baymax’s cute appearance recreated in the form of white rice. The dish takes inspiration from the spicy chicken wings made by Hiro’s auntie, Cass.

Special Pancake Set – ¥1,080 @ Center Street Coffeehouse / Time Served: 13:00-18:00 (Not serving June 1, 2020 – September 2, 2020)

Like the curry, this pancake set is also sold at Center Street Coffeehouse. It comes with two thick pancakes topped with Baymax’s faceーwhich is a Japanese ‘manju’ steamed cakeーassorted berries, strawberry sauce, and other delicious delights, mixing together Japanese and western flavours.

Sparkling Tapioca Tea (Cheese Cream & Berries) – ¥600 @ Tomorrowland Terrace / Time Served: 14:00-17:00

BB Popcorn w/Basket – ¥2,600 @ The Big Pop

There’s also a dessert-style drink at Tomorrowland Terrace which is a berry flavoured ice tea packed with dollops of cheese cream, as well as popcorn which comes with a popcorn basket of Baymax riding. This will be sold at the new popcorn shop, The Big Pop, which is opening on April 15.

Tuck into some cute and delicious Baymax food at Tokyo Disneyland before The Happy Ride with Baymax opens for business.

©Disney

Tokyo Disneyland’s new biggest area is set to open on April 15, 2020, which will house four new exciting facilities: the new Beauty and the Beast attraction, the Fantasyland Forest Theatre, the Baymax’s Happy Ride attraction, and the Minnie’s Style Studio.

To celebrate the new area’s opening, several restaurants and eateries in Tokyo Disneyland will serve up some special menu items. Participating restaurants are calling this special menu line-up “New Dreams, More Fun!” Let’s take a look.

Sparkling Drink (Mixed Fruits) – ¥450 @ Boiler Room Bites and elsewhere

Boiler Room Bites and other eateries in the park are serving these colourful sparkling drinks packed full of fresh fruit pieces. The cups have special designs of Disney characters like Mickey mouse, Minnie  Mouse, and Baymax.

Special Set – ¥990 @ Refreshment Corner

The special set being served at Refreshment Corner is inspired by Beauty and the Beast. It includes an apple cinnamon hot dog (contains nuts), a unique combination of juicy sausage, cinnamon, caramel, and nuts.

Blue Bayou Course – ¥5,200 @ Blue Bayou Restaurant

Another Beauty and the Beast-inspired dish is this special full course served at the Blue Bayou Restaurant. Buffet-style eatery Crystal Palace Restaurant will also serve up new dishes themed on each of the four new facilities of the new area starting on June 1, with a new one being introduced with each season.

©Disney

Tokyo Disney Resort is set to show some love to Hamm, everybody’s favourite piggy bank from the Disney/Pixar animated film series Toy Story, from February 28 with the arrival of some exclusive Hamm merchandise. This includes fashion items with pink woven into it amongst other accessories and miscellaneous pig picks.

*All Hamm merchandise will be sold from March 2 with the exception of sling bags, which will be sold from March 23.

Dress up with Hamm

Short Sleeve T-Shirt: ¥3,900

T-Shirt: ¥3,900

The unisex t-shirts include one design with a print of Hamm’s adorable face, and another more stylish t-shirt with a retro design.

Cap: ¥2,900

Body Bag: ¥2,900

Coins aren’t the only thing Hamm can carry for you – with the new body bag, you can entrust your personal belongings to him, like your phone, card, coins, and so on, all while looking stylishly pink.

Pass Case: ¥1,900

Headband: ¥1,700

Other items include a pass case of Hamm’s face, as well as a cute pig ear headband. There are lots of other items in the collection too.

Pink life dining

Tumbler: ¥1,100

Plate: ¥1,100

Fill the piggy bank that is your belly with food together with the pink tumbler and plate featuring designs that are actually used at restaurants throughout Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

Mini Towel: ¥680

Hand Cream & Lip Balm: ¥2,200

The mini towel, hand cream and lip balm set, and other items are all pocket-size, so you can take them anywhere with you.

This is just a small look at the pink range that’s set to beckon spring early. Don’t miss out on these exclusive items.

*Product designs and designs are subject to change without notice

*Available while supplies last

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only

©Disney©Disney/Pixar