Last year, the HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE collaboration appeared at AF Gallery in Harajuku from August 10 until August 28, garnering massive acclaim from fans. The collection is now being sold at Shinsaibashi PARCO until March 12, 2023.

HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE is a Studio Ghibli-inspired apparel collection by the popular American counterculture chain Hot Topic. Bringing more Japanese culture to the ongoing Studio Ghibli collaboration launched in 2014, Hot Topic stores began selling original items produced by nine Japanese creators and brands, as well as some original American items produced by Hot Topic’s executive designers.

The lineup of Japan-original items includes T-shirts, tote bags, and other items featuring exclusive artwork by up-and-coming creators. These items depict beloved characters from Studio Ghibli’s works, as well as logos created for the collaboration. Fans won’t want to miss grabbing these unique items!

Details on the Previous HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE Pop-Up Store: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/ja/625747

The film Doraemon: Nobita’s Sky Utopia will be released on March 3, 2023. The 42nd Doraemon movie follows Doraemon, Nobita, and his friends as they venture off to find Utopia, a perfect land in the sky where everyone lines in joy and happiness. They do so using an airship with a time warp function on their adventure, and to commemorate the film’s release, the Flying Doraemon Project began on January 14. A real-life 17-meter-long Doraemon blimp will soon appear in the sky, and fans are being asked to decide on a name for the craft.

The blimp, inspired by the Doraemon movie, will feature popular characters including Nobita, Shizuka, Suneo, and Gian. The blimp is the largest unmanned airship in Japan.

The message of the Flying Doraemon Project is to convey the feeling that in this day and age, children and adults alike can once again look upward and move forward toward their hopes and dreams.

Fans are asked to contribute ideas for the blimps name during the application period. Check the website for more details!

Natsume Mito will star in the upcoming film Kono Chiisana Te (These Small Hands). The film will debut in theaters on April 8.

The movie is an adaptation of the manga series by Mamora Goda, also known for his works Kira Kira Hikaru and Mori no Asagao. The story follows a father who never cared for his daughter and a daughter who has forgotten her father.

This is the feature-length debut of director Hiroyuki Nakada, who previously worked as an assistant director on films such as Love is Light and Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna.

<Comment from Director Hiroyuki Nakada>

“What is a father?

This question came to me as I was watching my newborn son sleep.
Does supporting a family financially make a good father?
Can a man be a father in some other way? Can he do something else?
While I was pondering this, I came across Kono Chiisana Te.
I really wanted to find the answer to my question, so I decided to work on plans for this live-action film.

I hope that everyone who sees this film will take some time to think about their families in this fast-paced world.”

<Story>
Kazuma, an illustrator, lives with his wife Sayuri and their three-year-old daughter Hina.

One night, while Kazuma is drinking with his work buddies, Sayuri gets into an accident and is hospitalized while out shopping.

Kazuma falls asleep at the bar and Hina wakes up alone the next day. She is rescued by the police and placed in an orphanage.

Given his actions, Kazuma can’t take Hina home. Having done nothing to help raise her, he’s decidedly unfit to parent. Sayuri doesn’t wake up, and time continues to pass.

Desperate, Kazuma gradually realizes that there are people who care for him and want the best for his life. Determined, he sets out to repair his bond with his daughter.

When Kazuma visits, however, all Hina can do is cry. Has she forgotten her father’s face?

（Ｃ）映画「この小さな手」製作委員会

Based on the Tsuburaya Productions Gridman live-action tokusatsu series from 1993, the
SSSS.GRIDMAN anime series aired in October 2018. A sequel, SSSS.DYNAZENON, followed in April 2021.

Ahead of the release of GRIDMAN UNIVERSE, an all-new anime film coming in March, both SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON will be getting compilation films. Each will only be
in theaters for two weeks.

劇場総集編『SSSS.GRIDMAN』

The SSSS.GRIDMAN film will be in theaters starting January 20. Those buying tickets will
receive a special illustration card with a voice drama created by Akira Amemiya, the director of the SSSS series, while supplies last. The title of the drama is Hinekuremono Demo (Even if You’re Cynical) starring Soma Saito (Sho Utsumi) and Hass (Akari Kito).

The newly-revealed illustration card’s design features Yuta Hibiki, Sho Utsumi, Rikka
Takarada, and Akane Shinjo happily snapping photos.

SSSS.DYNAZENON will be released for two weeks starting March 10, and those buying
tickets will also get an illustration card and a special voice drama written by Akira Amemiya.

The SSSS.GRIDMAN compilation film is being directed by Yoshiyuki Kaneko, who served as assistant director on the anime series. The film will show a somewhat new interpretation of the story under his new direction. Both compilation films will include extra footage leading
up to the release of GRIDMAN UNIVERSE on March 24, 2023.

©円谷プロ ©2023 TRIGGER・雨宮哲／「劇場版グリッドマンユニバース」製作委員会

The women’s fashion magazine FUDGE is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022, and men’s FUDGE is celebrating an impressive 15 years. The November issue of FUDGE, on sale October 12, and the December issue of men’s FUDGE, on sale October 25, will feature a special Studio Ghibli collaboration. The cover of both magazines can be placed together to create a single image, and these issues will also include the latest information about Ghibli Park, scheduled to open on November 1.

Left (Kiki), FUDGE November Issue / Right (Tombo), men’s FUDGE December Issue

Kiki’s Delivery Service x FUDGE in SWEDEN

More Info about Ghibli Park, Opening November 1, 2022

Both issues include the newest information about Ghibli Park, scheduled to open in Nagaute, Aichi Prefecture in November.

Other features include a special piece on Sweden and Marni. FUDGE’s November issue was released on October 12. 

DEEMO: Memorial Keys is scheduled to release in select locations nationwide on February 25, 2022, and a new key visual and 90-second trailer filled with brand-new footage just dropped!

The key visual was created by Mebachi, a popular illustrator known for creating the character designs for both DEEMO and the ending animation of Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club.

Against the backdrop of the castle where Deemo lives, a spiral staircase made of piano keys leads guests to a mysterious world. Alice, the main heroine, and Deemo, the masked girl, along with other characters are seen gazing up at the sky. Cherry blossom petals and light pour down from above in this emotional key visual that perfectly encapsulates the story’s world.

DEEMO tells the story of a girl who falls from the sky. She has no memories and finds herself traversing a strange castle. The sound of piano rings out, and the girl must discover the truth of who she is, and where she finds herself.

DEEMO: Memorial Keys Trailer

Based on the popular DEEMO mobile game, many famous tracks from the title will appear in the movie, so fans shouldn’t miss it!

ⓒRayark Inc./「DEEMO THE MOVIE」製作委員会

The Boat Race track at BOATRACE Tokonome will be home to a 3-day Drive-in Theater event on November 19, 20, and 21. The vast west parking lot will welcome guests to enjoy three films from the safety and privacy of their vehicles. In past years, the Hamanako, Tokuyama, Naruto, and Mikuni locations have participated. Now, it’s Tokoname’s turn!

Selected Films

La La Land (with subtitles) – November 19, 2021

© 2017 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 (dubbed) – November 20, 2021

© 2019 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

A Whisker Away – November 21, 2021

© 2020「泣きたい私は猫をかぶる」製作委員会

This lineup of films can be enjoyed by families, lovers, and friends. The final film, A Whisker Away, is a coming-of-age fantasy set in the city of Tokoname. Visitors can enjoy these films on one of the largest air screens in Japan, at 722 inches. Don’t miss some additional boat race content that even beginners can enjoy!

Benelic are releasing four new mug planters at Donguri Kyowakoku and online at Sora no Ue, both official Studio Ghibli merchandise shops in Japan, this month.

The porcelain planters include designs for My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and Spirited Away, each capturing the wonderful world of the beloved animated movies. They make for the perfect plant pots for around your home.

The designs up close

My Neighbor Totoro | ¥3,960 (Tax Included)

Kiki’s Delivery Service | ¥3,960 (Tax Included)

Laputa: Castle in the Sky | ¥3,960 (Tax Included)

Spirited Away | ¥3,960 (Tax Included)

The Japanese art director Hideyuki Tanaka has directed a special movie to promote the 2^nd season of Marc Jacob’s new line “Heaven by Marc Jacobs” as a contributor of this season.

ROBOT GIRL BABY TEE ¥14,300 (tax included) / ROBOT GIRL PILLOW ¥12,100 (tax included)

Special Movie：https://www.marcjacobs.jp/contents/heaven.php

The original graphic robot, Heaven is pop and cute, yet her poisonous ambience with Chinese character “Heaven” on her forehead is iconic. Heaven’s motto is to protect Double-headed Teddy. To celebrate the collaboration, Marc Jacobs launches a compact baby T-shirt decorated with a playful three-dimensional patchwork and a pillow cushion featuring Heaven with scribbles as a print. Don’t miss out the exclusive items and special movie of Heaven by Marc Jacobs.

Japanese company Familiar will release a new collection of bags based on the classic Studio Ghibli animated feature film My Neighbor Totoro on March 16 via their online shop. The bags will be released by Studio Ghibli no Ano Fuku (“Those Studio Ghibli Clothes”), a fashion brand created by Ano Fuku and Studio Ghibli.

The two bags feature the iconic movie scene of Mei, Satsuki, Totoro, and the little Totoros sat upon a tree branch.

Denim Bag – ¥19,800 / Sub Bag ¥16,500 (Tax Included)

This is the third and final bag collection to be released in this bag series. The first collection was inspired by the bus stop scene from My Neighbor Totoro as well as Ponyo running along the water in Ponyo. The second collection was the classic scene of Kiki flying over the town with Jiji on her broomstick from Kiki’s Delivery Service. Restocks of these two collections are now available too.

1st Collection

Ponyo Denim Bag ¥19,800 / Ponyo Sub Bag ¥16,500 / Totoro Bus Stop Denim Bag ¥19,800 / Totoro Bus Stop Sub Bag ¥16,500 (Tax Included)

2nd Collection

Kiki’s Delivery Service Denim Bag ¥19,800 / Kiki’s Delivery Service Sub Bag ¥16,500 (Tax Included)

Japanese apparel company Familiar has is releasing a series of limited-edition items in collaboration with Studio Ghibli Anofuku, a fashion brand created by Anofuku and Studio Ghibli in 2018.

Kiki’s Delivery Service Sub Bag ¥16,500 | Kiki’s Delivery Service Denim Bag ¥19,800 (Prices Include Tax)

The second entries to the series are two bags based on the beloved Studio Ghibli anime film classic Kiki’s Delivery Service. The bag designs feature Kiki on her broom with Jiji as they fly over the seaside town of Koriko where the movie is set. It’s a direct reference to the same scene in the film itself.

The 1st entries were Ponyo and Totoro denim bags

Ponyo Denim Bag ¥19,800 | Ponyo Sub Bag ¥16,500 | My Neighbor Totoro Bus Stop Denim Bag ¥19,800 | My Neighbor Totoro Bus Stop Denim Sub Bag ¥16,500 (Prices Include Tax)

The first entries to the line-up were a collection of denim bags based on two other Studio Ghibli fan favourites: My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo. The Ponyo bag is still available at the time this article was written, but the Totoro one is unfortunately sold out.

Information on a third collection is scheduled for release in March, so stay tuned.

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.