
Recreation of magical pendant from Hayao Miyazaki classic couples with elegantly detailed music box.
As the premier supplier of memorabilia based on the films of Studio Ghibli, Donguri Kyowakoku always has a catalog full of things that anime fans would love to own. Still, the chain really outdid itself when it created a replica of the Levistone from Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky Laputa.
Unfortunately, Donguri Kyowakoku did a little too good a job recreating the magical pendant worn by heroine Sheeta, and demand was so high they sold out almost immediately. A restock came much later, but now there’s something even better: an updated version that’s even more faithful to the artifact’s onscreen appearance in the first-ever animated work produced under the Studio Ghibli name.
The new version is officially called the Castle in the Sky Laputa Shining Levistone–Guidance of Light, in contrast to the older model, which bore the subtitle “Power of Light.” The new Levistone’s color was formulated to more closely match the lovingly hand-painted animation cels of the movie, and it lights up randomly in one of two patterns when you say the ancient word of power, balse (barusu, if you’re going by the Japanese pronunciation). The stone also glows softly if you speak the lengthy incantation “rite ratobarita urusu ariarosu baru netorimu,” as taught to Sheeta by her grandmother.
▼ The Levistone can be worn as a necklace or used as a decorative bag/mobile phone strap.
In addition, Donguri Kyowakoku is releasing a companion piece in the form of Laputa’s iconic robot. The 11-centimeter (4.3-inch) tall figurine doubles as a music box which plays an instrumental version of the film’s theme song, “Kimi ni Nosete” as the robot’s eyes and crest light up.
▼ The robot’s video preview
Making the figure even more special is that when you place the Levistone in the tray at its base, you’ll hear the same sound as when the robot awoke after its centuries-long slumber in the anime.
The Shining Levistone–Guidance of Light is priced at 2,600 yen (US$24) and goes on sale June 22, while the 4,800-yen robot music box becomes available for purchase on July 20. Whether you decide to order them separately or as part of a large-scale splurge bundle along with your 30th-anniversary Totoro cel reproduction and Seiko wristwatch is up to you, but considering how quickly the Levistones sold out last time, you might want to jump on the new version sooner rather than later.
Related: Donguri Kyowakoku official website, Donguri Kyowakoku online shop
Sources: 1up Joho Kyoku, PR Times
Top image: YouTube/どんぐり共和国そらのうえ店
Insert images: PR Times, YouTube/どんぐり共和国そらのうえ店
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he remembers watching Laputa for the first time at 5 in the morning in a viewing room at the now defunct Anime America convention.







Studio Ghibli’s new Laputa: Castle in the Sky timer is as dramatic as the anime movie
Studio Ghibli cookbook teaches how to make beautiful, super-easy Laputa Levistone candies【Recipe】
Beautiful Studio Ghibli anime sake flask and cup set lets you get liquored up the Laputa way
Beautiful Ghibli sealing wax kits let you create accessories and elegant letter decorations【Pics】
Studio Ghibli’s first anime heroine (no, not Nausicaa) gets an awesome new figure【Photos】
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Train continues to stop at rural station for lone schoolgirl until she graduates in March
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Field testing the magic, voice-operated pendant from Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky 【Video】
Castle in the Sky becomes a Ghibli decoration in your home with cool Laputa hanging planter
Studio Ghibli releases new merchandise to celebrate Laputa: Castle in the Sky anniversary
Studio Ghibli loungewear lets you cosplay as an anime heroine at home
Studio Ghibli mini heroine dress sachets will have your home looking, and smelling, great【Photos】
Those awesome voice-activated Laputa pendants that just hit stores? They’re already sold out
Park your backside on a Princess Mononoke face mask cushion
Ghibli releases free-to-use artwork from Castle in the Sky Laputa, comes with standard disclaimer
New Laputa amulet actually responds when you incant the anime’s magic spells
Studio Ghibli releases anime heroine cosplay dresses that are super comfy to wear
New Studio Ghibli x Seiko watch comes with a touching message from Hayao Miyazaki
Castle in the Sky sukajan jacket combines the old-school art of Ghibli and Yokosuka【Photos】
Studio Ghibli hair accessories keep your style tidy with help from Kiki, Moro, Calcifer, and more
Studio Ghibli releases new plush characters that turn into eco-friendly reusable shopping bags
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
Ghibli schedule books, beautiful inside and out, are here to help plan your whimsical adventures