For Maison de FLEUR’s annual “PINK MANIA” Valentine’s season event, it is teaming up with Sanrio to release a positively-kawaii pink collection of bags at its stores in Japan on February 11. The line-up also made a pre-release on the online shop STRIPE CLUB last week.

PINK MANIA x Sanrio Characters Collection: Azato Melody / Azato My Sweet Piano / Azato Cinnamoroll / Azato Bonbonribbon / Azato Pochacco

PINK MANIA Double Ribbon Tote Bag | ¥5,290 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Side Pocket S Tote Bag | ¥5,290 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Side Pocket M Tote Bag | ¥5,990 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Ribbon Pouch | ¥3,590 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Pouch | ¥3,590 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Face Mask Case Pouch | ¥3,590 (Before Tax)

Interior design of each bag and pouch

PINK MANIA is an event held by Maison de FLEUR every year around Valentine’s Day where select items turn all pink. This year’s line-up includes some of the brand’s iconic tote bags and pouches as well as some new entries. Familiar faces from Sanrio include My Melody, My Sweet Piano, Bonbonribbon, Pochacco, and Cinnamoroll.

Go pink and kawaii this Valentine’s Day with this year’s PINK MANIA collection.

A new series of tote bags by the Japanese company Marushin has hit Village Vanguard’s online shop in Japan. The collection features five designs of the cute character Curious George. Each bag is measured at 34.5cm x 32cm, making them the perfect size for popping out shopping.

Curious George Tote Bag Series

Profile George Tote Bag | ¥1,430

I Wanna Play Tote Bag | ¥1,430

Happy Little Monkey Tote Bag | ¥1,430

Best Day Ever Tote Bag | ¥1,430

George And Friends Tote Bag | ¥1,430

If you’re a collector of all things Studio Ghibli, then Donguri Closet has the latest must-grab item for fans of the animated film studio. Donguri Closet is a brand of the official Studio Ghibli merchandise shop Donguri Kyowakoku which is managed by Benelic. It offers a variety of merchandise, ornaments, cosmetics, and more all based around Studio Ghibli.

The brand has revealed two cute new hanging wreaths featuring the beloved Jiji from Studio Ghibli’s hit animated feature film Kiki’s Delivery Service. The wreaths were released exclusively at the Lazona Kawasaki Plaza branch of Donguri Closet at the end of January.

The wreaths are arranged with dried flowers and come with different scented floral sprays.

Pop Wreath Yellow – BERRY | ¥3,500 (Before Tax)

A vivid springtime yellow wreath coupled with a sweet berry fragrance spray.

Pop Wreath Yellow – GREEN | ¥3,500 (Before Tax)

A forest of green flowers coupled with a fresh scented floral spray.

Studio Ghili merchandise store Donguri Kyowakoku, and its online shop Sora no Ue, is now selling a new bag hanger inspired by My Neighbor Totoro.

My Neighbor Totoro Bag Hanger | ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

The hanger is inspired by the opening scene of My Neighbor Totoro when Mei is talking to her father and lines up the yellow flowers.

At first glance, the hanger looks just looks like the flowers, but if you peek a little closer you’ll see small Totoro hiding behind the leaves, crafted with all the little details.

The hanger is perfect for at home or at the office when you want to hang your bag so it doesn’t touch the floor.

Japanese company Benelic revealed a new baseball jacket inspired by Studio Ghibli’s internationally-beloved animated featured film My Neighbor Totoro. The jacket will be released at the Studio Ghibli stores GBL in Japan on October 31, 2020.

My Neighbor Totoro Baseball Jacket – Gale Cat Bus Shibuya ver. | ¥29,800 (Before Tax)

The first edition of this baseball jacket was released in 2018 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of My Neighbor Totoro and almost sold out during pre-orders. It is now being re-released to commemorate the recent opening of GBL MIYASHITA PARK with a special Shibuya design.

The body has been changed from black to navy blue, and the sleeves are now embroidered with the Dust Bunnies seen in My Neighbor Totoro.

The front of the Cat Bus on the jacket also reads that its destination is bound for Shibuya, and the inner collar reads ‘2020 Shibuya’ too. Sizes are available from Small to XL. The jacket will also be available to order online in Japan via Sora no Ue from November 4, 2020 at 11:00am (JST).

© Studio Ghibli

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.

Longchamp, a French luxury leather goods company which first opened in Paris back in 1948, is collaborating with Pikachu from the Pokémon series on a playful new collection which will be released worldwide on October 14, 2020. Pre-sales of the collection will launch in Japan on October 9, 2020 when it will be released at Longchamp in Omotesando and Ginza, as well as online.

LE PLIAGE® Collection

See Longchamp’s iconic LE PLIAGE® collection turn kawaii with Pikachu designs. The line-up maintains the elegance of the brand while adding a chic touch of Japanese pop culture. The items also feature the Longchamp brand name written in an eye-popping monogram font.

LE PLIAGE® Cuir Pokémon (Limited-Edition Model)

This nylon bag features Pikachu wearing a jockey hat like Longchamp’s iconic logo.

LE PLIAGE® Cuir Pokémon

Only 500 of these LE PLIAGE® Cuir Pokémon bags will be sold worldwide, each with its own unique serial number. The bags also have a Pikachu hidden on the back, and the strap too features a special logo.

“Our Le Pliage bag has become a platform where all the different aspects of Longchamp can be expressed and can also take us to unknown places,” explains Sophie Delafontaine, Artistic Director at Maison Longchamp. “We hadn’t explored entertainment and gaming before. It’s a very inspiring world, particularly with Pokémon and its iconic mascot, Pikachu. Our two worlds, real and virtual, blend perfectly in this collaboration.”

Pokémon GO players will also be able to get their hands on a Longchamp bag on the game’s store to fashion up their avatars.

©2020 Pokémon. ©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAKinc.TM, ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.

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.”

Japanese randoseru manufacturer Seiban celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. Looking forward to the next 100 years, the company is looking to expand overseas, and so has launched its first ever overseas brand SICOBA which will develop products for adults. It began selling online to Germany on August 20, 2020.

Since April 2018, Seiban has manufactured and sold randoseru to the Asian market, with a focus on China. While carrying out surveys to expand themselves further overseas, they began planning for sales in Germany, a country where craftsmanship is considered number one, as well as creating long-lasting products. Seiban believed that they shared an affinity with Germany when it came to the quality of created products. Together with their German partners WEVENTURE, they launched the development and sales of randoseru backpacks for adults to be sold in Germany.

The products in the SICOBA range make sure of bag manufacturing techniques that have been cultivated for over 100 years—by a company that boasts a team of randoseru masters. The company plans to expand their products outside of Germany into the whole of Europe in the future.

SICOBA

 
MODEL NO.01 €399（VAT・送料込み）

“Simply Comfortable, Simply The Best.” That’s the motto behind these bags, which are available in several designs and colours that are simple but of great convenience when it comes to backpacks. The brand name “SICOBA” is portmanteau of the first two letters of the words “Simple Comfortable Backpack.” As evident in their design concept, the bags boast comfort, smart design, and high quality craftsmanship and are made with the business setting in mind.

MODEL NO.02 €389（VAT・送料込み）

The line-up of bags is perfect as carry-on luggage on an aeroplane. The bag straps can be adjusted accordingly for the perfect fit, and the straps and cover can in fact be removed. Inside the bag are various compartments for storing necessities.

SICOBA is currently available in Germany and will expand across Europe in the future, so be on the lookout.

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