Art and animation lovers can start the new year with a real feast for the eyes. On January 22, 2025, “Painting the Worlds of Studio Ghibli” will be published in Japan, a monumental book that aims to celebrate the visual art of the studio that redefined animated cinema. For anyone who has dreamed of observing the magical worlds of “Spirited Away” or “My Neighbor Totoro”, the volume presents itself as an unprecedented journey into the creative heart of Ghibli.
844 pages of pure visual wonder
With an impressive 844 pages (and weighing approximately 2 and a half kilos) “Painting the Worlds of Studio Ghibli” is a precious testimony to the artistic genius that characterized the numerous works created by Studio Ghibli. The book explores the visual construction of the worlds that have made generations of spectators dream, highlighting the attention to every detail, from the use of light to the perspectives that transform each background into an autonomous work of art.
Among the masterpieces included, we find the famous landscapes of “Princess Mononoke”, which blend nature and myth, and the enchanting countryside of “My Neighbor Totoro”. Each illustration amplifies the narrative and makes each world a place where emotions and atmospheres intertwine in a unique way.
A journey into the Ghibli era
The artbook represents a sort of chronological journey through the artistic evolution of the studio. We start from the Eighties, with classics such as “Laputa – Castle in the Sky” and “Kiki – Home Deliveries”, to arrive at the most recent works, such as “The Boy and the Heron” from 2023.
The project was curated by Yoji Takeshige, a key figure of Studio Ghibli, who has dedicated his career to shaping the visual aesthetics of masterpieces such as “Spirited Away” and “Arrietty: The Secret World Under the Floor”. Takeshige did not limit himself to selecting the works, but enriched the volume with a precious interview that reveals the secrets of the creative process, from the conception of the backgrounds to the choice of color shades.
The magic of Ghibli explained by those who created it
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, one of the most fascinating aspects of the book is precisely the possibility of entering the mind of those who contributed to defining the unmistakable Ghibli style. Takeshige tells how attention to detail, combined with a deep understanding of human emotions, has allowed him to create worlds that have entered the collective imagination.
Where to buy it and how much it costs
For now, “Painting the Worlds of Studio Ghibli” will only be available in Japan. The volume can be purchased on Amazon Japan and on the official website of PIE International at the price of 12,000 yen (approximately 74 euros), excluding taxes. There is no news yet on an international distribution, but fans around the world are hoping for an announcement that will make this masterpiece accessible in Europe and North America too.
We leave you with the complete list of works that will be part of the artbook:
See you on January 22nd!
