Move over Disneyland, there’s a new theme park in town. A theme park by Studio Ghibli is slated to open next year.
Studio Ghibli, which is known for it’s magical and whimsy - will be delighting fans next year with a brand new theme park. It will be located in central Japan at Aichi Commemorative Park - which is where the 2005 World’s Fair was held. The park will be divided into five lands - the Dondoko forest area from My Neighbor Totoro, the village area from Princess Mononoke, the witches’ valley area from Kiki’s Delivery Service, springtime of Life Hill from Howl’s Moving Castle and a large warehouse area, which is where all the restaurants, shops, play areas and exhibition spaces, will be inspired by Spirited Away. Some of the areas will be completed at the end of 2022 and others will be done in 2023.
In other Ghibli news, the Ghibli Museum in Japan faced potential closure due to financial hardships as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, but was saved thanks to a crowdfunding campaign through the city of Mitaka and Ghibli fans. The museum houses many beloved Ghibli themed items and memorabilia, such as a larger than life sized replica of the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro, a ceiling covered in a fresco style painting featuring characters from Kiki’s Delivery Service and a real-life Howl’s Moving Castle.
Additionally, when Goro Miyazaki announced that he would be making a new Studio Ghibli movie, many fans were concerned. However, the film - Earwig and the Witch - received support from the director’s father, animation royalty and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki.