
After more than a year since the last film from anime production house Studio Ghibli, the paint is rapidly drying on the writing on the wall. At the very least, it looks like animation fans are in for a long wait before the next Ghibli movie, and it may turn out that When Marnie Was There ends up being the last theatrical feature we ever see from the company co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki.
Still, that doesn’t mean that other artists, perhaps working in other mediums, won’t carry on the beloved anime studio’s spirit. As a matter of fact, if you’ve got the necessary video game production skills, that someone could be you, as a U.K.-based Project Morpheus team is looking for an artist to help add a Ghibli-like aesthetic to its game.
Sony has promised that its Project Morpheus head-mounted virtual reality unit, to be used with the PlayStation 4, will be available in the first half of 2016. As we get deeper into the second half of 2015, that means developers should be hard at work on games for the long-awaited peripheral, but a recent job listing is attracting as much attention from anime fans as gamers and technophiles.
The same listing has been found on video game recruiting site Amiqus and also Develop, seeking an environment artist for a Project Morpheus title. As the employer is looking for someone who can “hit the ground running,” Amiqus mentions a number of specific areas it’s looking for expertise in, including a knack for digitally recreating water, rock, and plant life. But even applicants who can render all those elements of the natural world in a way that would look right at home in a Disney movie aren’t guaranteed to get the job, since the skills being sought include the ability to create art in a stylized manner “similar to Studio Ghibli.”
Neither Amiqus nor Develop Online explicitly mentions the name of the company that’s looking to hire the environment artist, but given that Amiqus lists the position as located in Liverpool, the popular theory is that the successful candidate will be working for Sony Computer Entertainment’s North West Studio, which was established in the U.K. last spring to work exclusively on software for Project Morpheus. If you think you’ve got a strong enough resume and portfolio, applications can be sent through Amiqus or Develop (here and here).
Who knows? You might just end up making something that not only satisfies people’s hunger for more Ghibli-esque media, but also a Project Morpheus game that doesn’t terrify them.
Sources: Amiqus, Develop via VR Focus, Jin
Top image: Studio Ghibli

Newsflash: Sony unveils “Project Morpheus”, new virtual reality headset for PlayStation 4
Gaming culture takes a hit as Sony demos its virtual reality headset with schoolgirl leering sim
Playing ‘The Deep’ on Sony’s Project Morpheus was terrifying【RN24@E3】
Oculus Rift vs Project Morpheus: The VR headsets duke it out at E3【RN24@E3】
PlayStation 4 gets a price drop in Japan this October, Project Morpheus given an official name
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
The old-school awesomeness of the New Akao, a Showa-era hot spring hotel still standing tall
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki says the anime industry’s problem is that it’s full of anime fans
“Office lady in heels walking on tatami”: The mysterious world of Japanese fetishism
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Tekken producer explains virtual reality girl demo ‘Summer Lesson’
Head your way to freedom in curiously titled virtual reality game “Headmaster” 【Video】
You can now hang out with Totoro and explore Studio Ghibli worlds in virtual reality
Remember: virtual reality will make horror games way, way scarier【Video】
IBM’s Sword Art Online virtual reality MMO project teased in screenshots, videos
Sony officially announces pricing for PlayStation VR add-on for PlayStation 4
Rumour: Sony to unveil ‘virtual reality headset’ at Tokyo Game Show 2013
The Guardian: Sony to present The Last Guardian at E3
Sony’s PlayStation turns 20 years old, we look back at how it all began and the games we loved
Sony shows off PlayStation 4 augmented reality with rubber ducks, dinosaurs, and Hatsune Miku
Virtual reality gear Tesla Suit hopes to make gaming a lot more touchy-feely
Evangelion virtual reality game in Tokyo will let fans live the dream of piloting an Eva Unit
“Whiteday” – A Korean virtual reality horror game that’s sure to get your heart racing【Video】
Tekken Project’s ‘Summer Lesson’ VR demo now has an English-speaking girl
Sony patents new headset with motion-sickness alert features, fans cautiously optimistic
Sony launching major offensive at PAX Prime show, bringing 39 playable games, freebies