As we wait patiently for the UK release of Earwig and the Witch, the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka, Japan, has announced the release of a set of art books that highlight Hayao Miyazaki’s expansive works between 2001 and 2020.
Featuring 900 original illustrations, sketches, and imageboards from films such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and The Wind Rises, the two-volume series offers a detailed look into the animation studio’s production processes, from planning to completion. Until now, many of the images have only been seen within the context of the museum itself, such as excerpts from its 2017 exhibition Delicious! Animating Memorable Meals and 2013’s The Lens at Work in The Ghibli Forest.
There’s also artwork from exclusive exhibitions on films like Ponyo and Spirited Away, as well as an interview with film producer Toshio Suzuki, who’s considered to be Miyazaki’s right-hand man.
Also included is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the famed Ghibli museum itself, which first opened its doors two decades ago. Previously, the museum has been known for keeping a few secrets, with photographs banned and tickets booked-out for months in advance. The museum did, however, start its own YouTube channel at the height of the pandemic, which spotlights individual rooms and key features, such as the My Neighbour Totoro-themed stained glass window and a life-size Catbus.
Currently, the book is set to be released in March this year via the museum and the Japanese Ghibli web store Donguri Sora – though, at $240, it’s not cheap. Add shipping and import taxes, and it’ll set you back a pretty penny, but at least you’re buying slice of Ghibli history!
Pre-order the books here.
