Plus exclusive Ghibli merchandise you won’t find anywhere else.

When you think about the people behind the films at Studio Ghibli, director Hayao Miyazaki is probably the first person that immediately comes to mind. However, there’s one person that Miyazaki defers to on all his films, and that person is longtime collaborator, producer and Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki.

Starting off in the world of magazine publishing, Suzuki has a creative background that’s given him a huge wealth of experience across a wide variety of fields in the world of manga and anime, and at 70 years-of-age, he’s still enjoying creative pursuits, particularly calligraphy, which has even been featured on Japanese craft beer labels.

▼ Suzuki has been exploring the world of calligraphy in recent years.

Now the creative talents of the hugely successful studio executive are set to be featured in a new exhibition called “Toshio Suzuki and Studio Ghibli Exhibition”. As an author of several books, Suzuki’s sage wisdom has been in the spotlight for a while now, and this new exhibition will be based around “the words of Toshio Suzuki”.

▼ Promotional image for the exhibition.

A similar exhibition, entitled “Studio Ghibli Toshio Suzuki Magic Words Exhibition” was held in Hiroshima the year before last and in Kanazawa and Suzuki’s hometown of Nagoya last year. While the new exhibition is based around these past exhibits, the new one set to open in Tokyo will be a “level-up” version, including displays featuring the magical world of Ghibli.

Visitors will be able to purchase exclusive items like messages and inspirational quotes from the producer, written in his own calligraphy, and special Ghibli merchandise produced in collaboration with Kanda Myojin Shrine, where the exhibition is due to be held.

Tickets to the new exhibition can be purchased in advance from Loppi machines at Lawson convenience stores in Japan from 10 February. A limited number of tickets will also be available to purchase with a special original product included, with more details set to appear on the official website shortly.

We have our fingers crossed that Suzuki himself might make a special appearance at the exhibition in Tokyo, because last time we met him, he spilled lots of secrets about his close friend Miyazaki and the amazing history of Studio Ghibli.

Event Information

Toshio Suzuki and Studio Ghibli Exhibition / 鈴木敏夫とジブリ展
Venue: Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center “EDOCCO” at Kanda Myojin shrine hall
神田明神 文化交流館「EDOCCO」内 神田明神ホール
Address: Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Sotokanda 2-16-2
東京都千代田区外神田2-16-2
Dates: 20 April-12 May 
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (last admission 5:30 p.m.) ※ operating hours are subject to change
Admission: TBA
Website

Source, images: PR Times