All branches of the official Studio Ghibli merchandise Donguri Kyowakoku in Japan, along with the shop’s online website Sora no Ue, are releasing a new collection of merchandise to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved animated feature film Whisper of the Heart.

Merchandise Line-Up

Whisper of the Heart Clock | ¥17,000 (Before Tax)

This clock is inspired by the one that appears in the movie when the protagonist Shizuku Tsukishima meets the shop owner. It features all the details of the clock seen in the film like the Elf Princess and the miners at the bottom.

Whisper of the Heart Baron | ¥18,000 (Before Tax)

This figurine is like the Baron has stepped out of the film and into the real world. Green Tiger’s Eye are used for his eyes.

Whisper of the Heart Wristwatch (ACCK 716) | ¥13,000 (Before Tax)

The clock face features a beautiful rendition of the King of the Dwarves and the Elf Princess that’s sure to have you sucked into their magical world.

Bonus Items

Desk Pad

Original Mirror

Customers can receive either an exclusive desk pad or mirror when they spent over ¥4,000 (before tax) on merchandise at the shop. These two bonus items are available while supplies last.

Will you be watching Whisper of the Heart once again in celebration of the 25th anniversary?

Donguri Closet is releasing two new fragrance candles this month inspired by the hit Studio Ghibli animated feature films Kiki’s Delivery Service and Whisper of the Heart.

Donguri Closet is a store brand in Japan which is a branch of the official Studio Ghibli merchandise shop Donguri Kyowakoku managed by Benelic.

The Donguri Closet brand focuses on the heroines of Studio Ghibli’s moviesーfemale characters who are by nature gentle but all of whom are strong women. The brand’s concept centres on being a place where people can be themselves through the merch.

Kiki’s Delivery Service Fragrance Candle – A Fulfilling Day (Citrus) | ¥2,700 (Before Tax)

The Kiki’s Delivery Service candle bears the words written by Kiki to her mother and father in a letter, in English:

Everything at work seems to be falling into place nicely. I’m even starting to gain some confidence. There are still times when I feel sad… but all in all, I sure love this town.

The candle is a relaxing citrus fragrance to fill you with positivity.

Whisper of the Heart Fragrance Candle – Close Love (Berries) | ¥2,700 (Before Tax)

The Whisper of the Heart candle features the words written by the Baron, who appears in the protagonist Shizuku Tsukishima’s dreams, in English:

Louise and I were happy… because he had made us so we could love each other.

The candle smells of sweet berries to relax you during those times you can’t settle.

Once you’ve used up the candle, you can reuse the beautiful glass it comes in which has plants inside it.

Tokuma Shoten Publishing released a new picture book entitled Studio Ghibli no Ironna Kurashi in Japan on October 9, 2020 which is centred on the everyday lives of the protagonists from 13 of Studio Ghibli’s animated feature films.

The book looks at where the characters of these films reside and what kinds of lives they live, whether it be in the Toxic Jungle of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, or Sophie taking up the role of the cleaning lady in Howl’s Moving Castle, or Sosuke and Lisa who live upon the cliff in Ponyo.

Life in the castle in Howl’s Moving Castle　©2004 Studio Ghibli・NDDMT

Who’s who in the family? What kind of house do they live in? What job do they work? These are the questions that the book will answer as it delves deep into the livelihoods of the globally-beloved characters conceived by the incredible minds of Studio Ghibli.

The town of Koriko in Kiki’s Delivery Service　©1989 Eiko Kadono・Studio Ghibli・N

Arrietty’s house in The Secret World of Arrietty　©2010 Studio Ghibli・NDHDMTW

Noboru Yoshida (Art Supervisor for The Secret World of Arrietty)

The house that Satsuki and Mei move to in My Neighbor Totoro, the dwelling of Totoro, the wartime life of Seita and Setsuko living in Kobe in Grave of the Fireflies, the town where Kiki begins her life living alone at the age of 13, and so on.

The book is a must-have in the collection of any fans of Studio Ghibli, and is sure to make you want to step into those magical worlds once again.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has announced that its inaugural temporary exhibition will be a retrospective honouring the internationally beloved and celebrated Academy Award-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. It will open on April 30, 2021.

Photo by Joshua White　JWPictures/©Academy Museum Foundation

It will take place inside the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery and will hail as the first North American museum retrospective dedicated to the work of Miyazaki. Works will be curated by the museum’s Exhibition Curator Jessica Niebel and Assistant curator J. Raúl Guzmán.

lmageboard, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988), Hayao Miyazaki © 1988 Studio Ghibli

Still Image, ‘Spirited Away’ (2001), Hayao Miyazaki © 2001 Studio Ghibli・NDDTM

The lineup will showcase over 300 objects include original imageboards, character designs, storyboards, layouts, backgrounds, posters, and cels, all from the archives of Studio Ghibli. Fans of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki’s works can look forward to seeing their favourite films celebrated such as My Neighbor Totoro (1988) and the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away (2001).

Hayao Miyazaki Exhibition – What to Expect

Tree Tunnel

Still Image, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988), Hayao Miyazaki © 1988 Studio Ghibli

Journey through the iconic “Tree Tunnel” conceived by Hayao Miyazaki for the film My Neighbor Totoro just like 4-year-old Mei does when chasing the mini Totoro.

Creating Characters

Still Image, ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989), Hayao Miyazaki © 1989 Eiko Kadono・Studio Ghibli・N

Creating Characters will introduce Hayao Miyazaki’s many protagonists from such celebrated works as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and more. This will include original character design illustrations as well as pieces never before exhibited outside of Japan.

Making Of

Imageboard, ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ (1984), Hayao Miyazaki © 1984 Studio Ghibli・H

The Making Of section will illustrate Miyazaki’s early career and the founding of Studio Ghibli together with the deceased Isao Takahata, as well as the process of producing an animated feature film such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984). Early works showcased will include, but are not limited to, the television anime series Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974) which Isao Takahata was also involved in as an animator, and The Castle of Cagliostro (1979).

Creating Worlds

Background Image, ‘Spirited Away’ (2001), Hayao Miyazaki © 2001 Studio Ghibli・NDDTM

Creating Worlds will capture the contrast between beautiful, natural environments and industrial settings, a theme that Miyazaki often explores in his movies. This will include a look at original storyboards from Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986), as well as concept sketches and background images that offer a peek into the imagination of Miyazaki. It will also look at the famous bath house of Spirited Away, the underwater world of Ponyo (2008), and themes of ‘flying’ as seen in Porco Rosso (1992) and The Wind Rises (2013).

Sky View Installation

A must-see at the exhibition is the Sky View installation which captures one of Miyazaki’s other themes: the desire to lay back and relax, have a day off, think, and dream.

Transformations

Transformations will explore the metamorphoses Miyazaki’s characters and settings often experience, such as the influences that human beings have on the natural world like in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Magical Forest

Magical Forest, with its Mother Tree installation, will highlight the interconnected aspects of humans, nature, and the spiritual worlds, such as the Kodama forest spirits seen in Princess Mononoke.

Photo of Hayao Miyazaki by Nicolas Guerin

Toshio Suziki, Studio Ghibli Producer & Co-Founder | Comment

“It is an immense honor that Hayao Miyazaki is the inaugural temporary exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Miyazaki’s genius is his power of remembering what he sees. He opens drawers in his head to pull out these visual memories to create characters, landscapes and structures that are busting with originality. It is our hope that visitors will be able to experience the entire scope of Hayao Miyazaki’s creative process through this exhibition. I am deeply grateful to all those who have been instrumental in presenting this exhibition.”

Bill Kramer, Academy Director | Comment

“We could not be more excited to launch our new institution with the most comprehensive presentation of Hayao’s Miyazaki’s work to date. Honoring the masterful career of this international artist is a fitting way to open our doors, signifying the global scope of the Academy Museum.”

Jessica Niebel, Academy Museum Exhibitions Curator | Comment

“Hayao Miyazaki has a singular ability to capture how we perceive life, with all its ambiguities and complexities. It has been a privilege to collaborate with Studio Ghibli in creating an exhibition that will appeal to the most avid Miyazaki fan and those not yet familiar with his work.”

My Neighbor Totoro is one of Studio Ghibi’s most celebrated animated feature films, adored by people around the world. If you’ve visited Japan, you’re bound to have run into something Totoro-related, but did you know there’s actually several locations in Kyushu which takes it to the next level, bringing the world of the film to life?

Today, we are joined by Rie who posts her Kyushu travels on her Instagram page. She has provided us with photos of these amazing spots, which are must-visits for Totoro fans, along with her thoughts.

Tataragi Bus Stop | Hita, Oita Prefecture

When you roll up to Tataragi Bus Stop (多々良木バス停) in Oita’s city of Hita, you are welcomed by a giant piece of wall art made into the moss that grows on the wall. This bus stop is actually a stop used exclusively by school buses, so ordinary people can’t actually catch a bus here. And unfortunately, you won’t see any cat buses running down the street if you wait long enough in the rain, but it’s still a must-visit for fans.

Address: Amagasemachi Gota, Hita, Oita, Japan (In Japanese: 大分県日田市天瀬町合田)

Totoro’s Forest | Saiki, Oita Prefecture

This area is visited by many tourists and sightseers throughout the year because of how similar it looks to something from My Neighbor Totoro. There is a small park near the bus stop which is known as Totoro no Mori (Totoro’s Forest).

Being surrounded by nature, enveloped by the green trees and foliage, makes you feel like Mei and Satsuki from the movie. It’s like being transported back to my childhood. It’s a strange place that makes you feel nostalgic even if it’s your first time visiting.

Address: 1368 Ume Oaza Minamitabaru, Saiki-shi, Oita Prefecture (In Japanese: 大分県佐伯市宇目大字南田原轟1368)

Takahara, Miyazaki Prefecture

The next spot I want to show you is where an ordinary person made their very own Totoro statue. If you hold up an umbrella in the rain you can take a photo that recreates that one scene from te movie. There is a sign nearby the statue with a caution written on it as the Totoro is actually inside a family garden. When visiting to take a photo, please make sure to follow the caution and not cause any trouble for people in the neighbouring area.

Address: 7538-6 Kamamuta, Takaharu, Nishimorokata-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture (In Japanese: 宮崎県西諸島県群高原町大字蒲牟田7538-6)

Rie posts photos of all her visits around Kyushu on Instagram, so if you’re thinking of ever visiting there, be sure to follow her for ideas on where to go.

Photos by Rie

*The information listed in this article is correct at the time of publishing

Donguri Closet is releasing two new “2-way shirt one piece” dresses inspired by Kiki’s clothes from the Studio Ghibli animated film Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Donguri Closet is a brand by the official Studio Ghibli merchandise shop Donguri Kyowakoku, which is managed by Benelic.

Kiki’s Delivery Service 2-Way Shirt One Piece – Essential Kiki | ¥6,800 (Before Tax)

The one piece dresses come in two colour variations, one of which is based on Kiki’s regular dress, and the other inspired by the pastries sold at the bakery she works at in the movie.

Kiki’s Delivery Service 2-Way Shirt One Piece – Bread Wreath | ¥6,800 (Before Tax)

The dresses are one size fits all, but measure for those who stand at 150cm-168cm tall. Both are made from cotton and hemp so feel soft on the body and are the perfect choice for the hot weather. The dresses can also be worn like a Japanese haori if you undo all of the buttons, giving it more of a shirt look.

Dress like Kiki with these new dresses from Donguri Closet.

Studio Ghibli brand GBL has revealed even more new items which will be released in line with the opening of the company’s new physical store at MIYASHITA PARK in Shibuya, Tokyo on July 28, 2020.

Socks (6 Designs): ¥1,500 Each (Before Tax)

Character Carabiners (5 Designs): ¥1,300 (Before Tax)

Arriving in the new line-up are 6 colourful sock designs which fans are sure to be spoilt for choice with on which to wear. There’s also carabiners which are useful in all kinds of situations, whether for outdoor activities, for commuting, and more.

Baseball Cap: ¥3,800 (Before Tax)

There’s also a baseball cap which has a “P” on it, a reference to Porco Rosso. Its simple design makes it versatile for all situations.

GBL is an online clothing company whose stock features designs from Studio Ghibli’s animated feature films. It will open its first store at MIYASHITA PARK in Shibuya, Tokyo on July 28, 2020 inside RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK.

MIYASHITA PARK is a shopping complex filled with shops stocking high quality products. GBL MIYASHITA PARK will sell a range of fun, exclusive Studio Ghibli merchandise with designs taken from popular films from the studio.

Aichi Prefecture and Chunichi Shimbun have revealed that they are to hold a Studio Ghibli exhibition at Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art from July 22, 2020 – September 3, 2020.

Yubaba wearing a Mask ©TS ©Studio Ghibli

The exhibition, called Ghibli no “Dai Janai” Hakurankai (Ghibli’s “Not So Big” Exhibition), will be taking all necessary safety measures against COVID-19 to ensure people’s safety.

Never before seen Ghibli material a must-see for fans

Ghibli Park’s “Seishun no Oka” (Hill of Youth) Area ©Studio Ghibli

The exhibition will look back at Studio Ghibli’s past as well as into the studio’s future. Fans will be able to look at construction materials and sketches of Ghibli Park, a new Studi Ghibli themed facility set to open at Aichi Expo Memorial Park in autumn 2022, as well as dolls of the characters from the upcoming animated film Earwig and the Witch which is being written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by his son Goro. The film was originally scheduled to premiere at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival before the event was cancelled due to COVID-19 and will now be aired by NHK this winter.

The Cat Bus from the Studio Ghibli Museum will also be showcased at the event; stills taken from Studio Ghibli’s films such as Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Kaguya and more will be displayed; there will be a photo spot for taking photos, and much more.

Fans of Spirited Away will also be able to get their own omikuji fortunes from the giant Zeniba and Yubaba faces.

GBL, an online clothing company whose stock features designs from Studio Ghibli’s animated feature films, is set to open its first store at MIYASHITA PARK in Shibuya, Tokyo on July 28, 2020 inside RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK.

MIYASHITA PARK is a shopping complex filled with shops stocking high quality products. GBL MIYASHITA PARK will sell a range of fun, exclusive Studio Ghibli merchandise with designs taken from popular films from the studio. The latest merch reveal is a series of four skateboards.

Robot Skateboard Deck: ¥12,000 (Before Tax)

Bathhouse & No-Face Skateboard Deck: ¥12,000 (Before Tax)

The designs include the Robot from Laputa: Castle in the Sky with a flame pattern, the bathhouse and No-Face from Spirited Away, the Cat Bus from My Neighbor Totoro, and the Studio Ghibli film opening. The boards are made from Canadian maple wood and are lightweight and durable.

Cat Bus Skateboard Deck: ¥12,000 (Before Tax)

Opening Skateboard Deck: ¥12,000 (Before Tax)

The boards can be used for interior decoration, or if you have the rest of the board parts, as the latest designs for your board. The decks are sold without the parts only.

GBL, an online clothing company whose stock features designs from Studio Ghibli’s animated feature films, is set to open its first store at MIYASHITA PARK in Shibuya, Tokyo on July 28, 2020 inside RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK.

MIYASHITA PARK is a shopping complex filled with shops stocking high quality products. GBL MIYASHITA PARK will sell a range of fun, exclusive Studio Ghibli t-shirts with designs taken from popular films from the studio.

The theme of this year’s line-up is t-shirts that have a “second-hand” design to them. There are 28 t-shirts to choose from including colour variations. Six of these are exclusive to GBL MIYASHITA PARK.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind T-Shirt (Pure White): ¥4,880 (Before Tax)

Princess Mononoke T-Shirt (Grey): ¥4,880 (Before Tax)

Kiki’s Delivery Service T-Shirt (Red): ¥4,880 (Before Tax)

The range is made from soft cotton and is inspired by American style t-shirts. To reduce the collar from stretching over time, twill tape is wrapped around the neck part of the t-shirt. The t-shirts are also stone washed during the manufacturing process to ensure they are both soft and have that ‘used’ quality to them.

Laputa: Castle in the Sky T-Shirt (Grey): ¥4,880 (Before Tax)

Porco Rosso T-Shirt (Black): ¥4,880 (Before Tax)

Whisper of the Heart T-Shirt (Navy Blue): ¥4,880 (Before Tax)

Sizes come in Small, Medium, Large, XL, and XXL. The collection is a must-have for any fan of Studio Ghibli.

GBL, an online clothing company whose stock features designs from Studio Ghibli’s animated feature films, opened limited pre-orders of their new Spring/Summer collection of 22 T-shirts on June 12, 2020 via Donguri Kyowakoku’s online shop Sora no Ue.

This marks the third Spring/Summer collection to be released for GBL’s popular T-shirts. The line-up is made up of 22 T-shirts with designs from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Whisper of the Heart, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and The Secret World of Arrietty.

Laputa: Castle in the Sky “The Adventure Begins” T-Shirt

My Neighbor Totoro “Soot Sprites” T-Shirt

“Used” is the theme of this year’s collection, whose designs have a vintage taste to them, colour variation, and are made of high quality, comfortable cotton.

My Neighbor Totoro “Cat Bus” T-Shirt

The T-shirts are durable, and during the manufacturing process they are stone washed to make them even softer, adding to that “used” quality.

Spirited Away “This is No Place For Humans” T-Shirt

Some of the t-shirts also have iconic characters embroidered on them.

Kiki’s Delivery Service “You Can Do It” T-Shirt

This Kiki T-shirt features a print of that scene that anyone who has seen the film will remember fondly.

There are five T-shirt sizes available (S/M/L/XL/XXL), which is one more than last year which only went up to XL. All T-Shirts also include the above-pictured original Studio Ghibli logo on the cuffs.

GBL will open its first physical store at MIYASHITA PARK in Shibuya this summer. Click here for more information.

A new collection of summer themed Japanese trinkets have been released at branches of the official Studio Ghibli shop Donguri Kyowakoku and its online store Sora no Ue in Japan, including five different folding fans based on My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Spirited Away.

Sensu Folding Fans: ¥2,980 Each (Before Tax)

Studio Ghibli themed folding fans are a popular product every year at Donguri Kyowakoku and Sora no Ue. This year, the designs contrast vivid colours of the main fan face with vivid colours along the frame. The handles are also fitted with  cute ornaments. These ornaments aren’t available with the mini fans however.

Pouch Bags (2 Designs): ¥1,800 Each (Before Tax)

These pouch bags are the perfect coordination partner when combined with a folding fan. The designs give a real yukata-wearing Japanese summer festival vibe.

My Neighbor Totoro Wind Chime: ¥3,200 (Before Tax)

Also available to buy is this My Neighbor Totor wind chime carefully crafted by the artisans over at Oiden, a company that has been around since 1852.

What better way to spend summer than with the characters of Studio Ghibli?