From Saturday 20th April 2019 to Sunday 12th May 2019, Kanda Shrine’s Myojin hall, which has recently been set up in the Edo Culture Complex (EDOCCO), will hold a special exhibition dedicated to Studio Ghibli and its former president Toshio Suzuki.  The exhibition “Toshio Suzuki to Ghibli” will be open every day during the event period.

Photographer：Nobuyoshi Araki

 painted by Toshio Suzuki 　Photographer： AYANO YAMANO

The “Toshio Suzuki to Ghibli” exhibition is dedicated to the words of Toshio Suzuki; the talented producer of Japan’s most widely famous film studio that has fans within Japan and all over the world. Starting at Hiroshima last year, the exhibition was then packed with more Studio Ghibli magic and transformed into the “Studio Ghibli Toshio Suzuki Kotoba no Maho-ten” (Words of magic exhibition). This took place in Nagoya and Kanazawa.

looks of the Words of magic exhibition from the past　©TS　©Studio Ghibli

looks of the Words of magic exhibition from the past ©TS

The past exhibition featured documents and illustrations by Suzuki. A message he wrote for future generations to read was also presented to the visitors of the exhibition. The exhibition to be held this year at Kanda Myojin will be selling Ghibli collaboration goods!

looks of the Words of magic exhibition from the past　©TS　©Studio Ghibli

In order to reach out to more people, the director’s intentions from all Ghibli’s numerous works have been put into words by Toshio Suzuki. Just by looking at these strong words, anyone can feel the distinct film scenes of Ghibli. You will continue to be drawn into the world of Ghibli. It has been 40 years since Suzuki met Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki and teamed up to create Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away, the Wind Rises, the Tale of Princess Kaguya and many more famous films. Where does a Ghibli film start and which direction does it take? The exhibition features Suzuki’s documents and notes for such films, including Suzuki’s starting points and a walk-through right to the current moment. Come discover the secrets of Ghibli films!Follow Suzuki’s words to unravel the secrets of the world of Studio Ghibli!

Studio Ghibli’s animated features are loved the world over, with classic titles such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totori and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

 

Plans for a Ghibli theme park are now in place and it is scheduled to open in Aichi Prefecture in 2022. The exact location will be Ai-Chikyu Haku Kinen Koen, also known as Moricoro Park, which is where the Expo 2005 World’s Fair took place.

 

Let’s take a little look at some of the park’s areas that are currently under construction.

 

Seishun no Oka Area

The ‘Hill of Youth Area.’ Right at the entrance is the main gate’s elevator tower, which is being established as a landmark. It takes inspiration from Howl’s Moving Castle, incorporating a design based on late-19^th century sci-fi elements. It plans to be a symbolic structure of the main gate.

Next to the elevator tower will be the antique shop as seen in Whisper of the Heart.

 

Ghibli no Daisouko Area

The ‘Ghibli’s Great Storehouse Area.’ The warm water pool currently being managed at Moricoro Park will close in September 2018 and undergo renovation to be turned into the new Ghibli storehouse area. This area will be a collection of storehouses littered with lots of exciting Studio Ghibli displays.

Everything here will be indoors, so it won’t be affected by the weather, allowing people to enjoy their time seeing all there is to see. Lots of planned for this area including item exhibition rooms, video exhibition rooms, a play area for children, and more.

 

Mononoke no Sato Area

The ‘Mononoke Village Area.’ To harmonize with the Japanese landscape, places like the Aichi Satorabo fields at Moricoro Park will take inspiration from the international sensation Princess Mononoke, with the construction of the Tatara factory and more. There will also be art displays of the Tatari Gami demon, Lord Okkoto boar god and others from the film. The entire area will be turned into a Princess Mononoke village.

 

Majo no Tani Area

The ‘Witch Valley Area.’ This area will take on the theme of two films imbued with magic: Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Expect to see Howl’s Castle and a play area based on Kiki’s house amongst other attractions.

The colourful streetscape will be as if you’ve been sucked right into the films themselves!

 

Dondoko Mori Area

The ‘Dondoko Forest Area’ is Totoro themed. Satsuki and Mei’s house is already built here. A reception area will be built and the path in the forest behind the mountain will be renovated to enhance the surrounding area of the house even more.

The area’s name comes from the ‘dondoko dance’ that Satsuki and Mei do with Totoro to make the seeds they planed grow even quicker.

 

We can hardly wait for the opening of the official Studio Ghibli theme park in 2022!

 

 

Closet is a new brand created by Donguri Kyowakoku―the official Studio Ghibli merch shop in Japan―and they've just unveiled a new series of denim goods embroidered with My Neighbor Totoro designs. The new merch will drop at the Lazona Kawasaki Plaza branch of Closet and at shops stocking the Closet brand from October 13.  

Closet Limited Edition - My Neighbor Totoro Denim Series - Tote Bag: ¥2,300 (Pre-Tax)

  Closet is a new spin-off brand from Donguri Kyowakoku whose products focus on the heroines of the Studio Ghibli filmography who wield a strong heart under their kindness.

My Neighbor Totoro Denim Series - Lunch Tote Bag: ¥2,100 (Pre-Tax)

  The brand's first permanent shop opened in Lazona Kawasaki in March this year where they stock a whole variety of Ghibli items aimed at women including cosmetics, pouches, accessories and more.

My Neighbor Totoro Denim Series - Mini Pouch: ¥1,500 (Pre-Tax)

My Neighbor Totoro Denim Series - Pouch w/Gusset: ¥1,700 (Pre-Tax)

  This is the second denim series in the line following the Kiki's Delivery Service run of embroidered denim items. There are four pieces in total: a tote bag, lunch tote bag, mini pouch and a pouch with a gusset.   If you're a Totoro fan then be sure to check out this delicately crafted series.