On the 23rd, the movie My Neighbor Totoro (1988) was broadcast on Nippon TV's "Friday Roadshow." (In Japan, Studio Ghibli films are strategically broadcast on TV, gaining immense popularity.) No matter how many times you've seen it or how old you are, many people still feel the desire to ride the Catbus or meet Totoro. For those with such dreams, the "Ghibli Park and Ghibli Exhibition" is currently being held at Tennozu, Tokyo, at Terada Warehouse B&C HALL/E HALL (Exhibition period: June 28 to September 23, advance reservations required).

The "Ghibli Park and Ghibli Exhibition" showcases the work and projects of Studio Ghibli director Goro Miyazaki, who led the creation of "Ghibli Park" in Aichi Prefecture’s Nagakute City at the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. The exhibition also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how "Ghibli Park" was brought to life.

There are two main highlights: one is the three-dimensional exhibits, such as life-sized (?) Catbus and Totoro, perfect for commemorative photos. The other is the valuable production materials and prototypes that reveal the creative process and behind-the-scenes work of director Goro Miyazaki’s projects.

Experience Ghibli Park through Three-Dimensional Exhibits

"Ghibli Park" is a park facility that expresses the world of Studio Ghibli’s works (※Advance reservations required). It features five areas: "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse," "Hill of Youth," "Dondoko Forest," "Mononoke Village," and "Valley of Witches," all scattered within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. Visitors can enjoy a "grand stroll" as they explore the buildings and streets depicted in the works.

The exhibition has been traveling nationwide since July 2022, starting at the Nagano Prefectural Art Museum. At the current Tokyo venue, for the first time, there is a recreated exhibit of the "Merry-Go-Round" ride from "Valley of Witches." Visitors can take photos while riding on Yakul and the Wolf from Princess Mononoke (1997), characters featured on the merry-go-round inspired by Studio Ghibli works.

Another feature is the recreated scene from Spirited Away (2001), featuring the train running over water, which is part of the "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse" exhibit "Ghibli’s Transforming Landmark Scenes." Visitors can sit next to No-Face and take a two-shot photo, feeling like the protagonist, Chihiro.

Additionally, a special version of "The Fake Manager's Office" from Spirited Away can be seen in a corner of "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse." Visitors can observe Yubaba, the witch from the movie, engrossed in her work in the cluttered office.

From My Neighbor Totoro, in addition to the Catbus and Totoro, a 1/5 scale model of "Satsuki and Mei's House," originally built as a pavilion for Expo 2005 and now a facility within Ghibli Park, is on display. The actual pergola used in the pavilion is also exhibited. Moreover, there is a 1/5 scale model of the giant Catbus plush in the "Catbus Room" within "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse" and a life-sized model of the Catbus’s paw.

Learn About the Making of Animated Films

The exhibition also features image boards, design sketches, and background art related to Goro Miyazaki's films Tales from Earthsea (2006), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), and Earwig and the Witch (2020). It recreates the special exhibition "Earwig and the Witch Exhibition," held at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, for about a year starting in June 2021. Through materials and diagrams detailing the production process of Earwig and the Witch, Studio Ghibli’s first full 3DCG animated film, visitors can enjoy learning about how the movie was made.

Exhibits Related to Castle in the Sky

The exhibition also includes displays related to Castle in the Sky. Making its debut at the Tokyo venue is an exhibit on the "Flying Machine" children’s ride from "Valley of Witches." Visitors can also see a 1/5 scale Styrofoam model of the robot soldier quietly standing in a corner of "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse" and a 1/30 scale model of the garden in the sky.

The Tokyo venue is open until September 23. Afterward, the exhibition will be held in Aomori (November 13 - February 5 next year) and Okayama (February 28 - May 11).

◆Official
https://ghiblipark-exhibition.jp/

Source : ORICON NEWS