
Masterpieces from Nintendo and Studio Ghibli go together amazingly well, photos show.
Animal Crossing has always been a series about building communities of cute critters in a rural setting, and the baseline aesthetic has gotten even more specific in the series’ newest game, the island-set New Horizons. But while millions of fans are spending their time in Animal Crossing relaxing by the sea or picking peaches, Japanese gamer Tsukimaro (@HUb0E61kOpP3F0a on Twitter) has been using New Horizons to recreate one of the most beloved anime films of all time.
Starting the week before last, Tsukimaro has been posting scenes from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, but reenacted in New Horizons, such as the one pictured below where protagonist Chihiro loses half of her name when she’s coerced into signing a magical contract with the witch Yubaba.
And of course, you can’t tell the story of the abduction of Sen and Chihiro without such important supporting characters as dragon boy Haku…
…and the mysterious No-Face, whose indistinct body Tsukimaro cleverly reproduces by rendering him as a shirt for some scenes.
Because of how extensively New Horizons allows you to customize avatars, clothing textures, and the game’s other environmental building blocks, Tsukimaro is taking on the ambitious project of retelling the entirety of Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning animated feature.
▼ Part 1: Chihiro’s dad takes a fateful turn into the wood
part1 千尋たち親子、迷い込む
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 16, 2020
どうしても映画調やりたいので、しばらくはこれ系統の投稿が続くと思われます🙇♂️お付き合いくださいませ。#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/qpUOiqEKOO
▼ Part 2: Transformation into pigs and meeting Haku
part2 ハクとの出会い
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 16, 2020
もしかするとこれ、すんごい長編になるのでは…?うふふ#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/SepAvfwtCd
▼ Part 3: The bridge procession and working with Kamaji and the Soot Sprites
part3 釜爺のとこ来たらたらい回しにあった…
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 17, 2020
明日はゆばーばのとこへ。
おっかないよぉ😭#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/d4WQserS5u
▼ Part 4: Signing the contract and getting encouragement from Lin
part4 湯屋へ入隊
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 18, 2020
リンさんって素敵ですよね
ああいう女性に憧れる😘
明日は豚小屋とおにぎりのシーンへ!#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/GpV5OEvfW6
▼ Part 5: Finding mom and dad in the pig pen
part5 お父さんとお母さんに会う
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 19, 2020
今回のこだわりポイント
・釜爺寝てるver (布団の柄が映画と同じ!)に変更
・ススワタリわらわらverに変更
・隠れハ○カツ#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/RCpOoBgW47
▼ Part 6: The first appearance of No-Face
「千と千尋の神隠しinあつ森」
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 20, 2020
part6 カオナシ、入りまっす♪
#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/W2umgdj3G5
▼ Part 7: No-Face handing out golden gratuities
「千と千尋の神隠しinあつ森」
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 21, 2020
part 7 湯屋一同、心を込めて!!#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/03FHbW4dhS
▼ Part 8: No-Face going berserk
「千と千尋の神隠しinあつ森」
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 22, 2020
part 8 盛り上がって参りました!
好きなシーンが多過ぎて進まない😭#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/DJypbaMl30
▼ Part 9: The engorged No-Face, now presented as a series of wall panels, and meeting plus-sized baby Boh
「千と千尋の神隠しinあつ森」
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 23, 2020
part 9 坊、おんもへの道…
ちょっと現実世界との兼ね合いで今日は3枚です😅
制作時間足りず…無念😭#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/0Cf8Ps1nZQ
▼ Part 10: Saving Haku
「 千と千尋の神隠しinあつ森 」
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 24, 2020
part 10 ハクを助けたい…
終わりが近づいて参りましたん🥺#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/BEEuOe7258
▼ Part 11: The famous train ride and ocean scenes
「 千と千尋の神隠しinあつ森 」
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 25, 2020
part 11 沼の底
盛り上がってたシーンから一転、しっとりした雰囲気に…#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/9wKBwjzMNF
▼ Part 12: Chihiro learns Haku’s real name
「 千と千尋の神隠しinあつ森 」
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 26, 2020
part 12 本当の名前は…?
最近ちょっと忙しくなってきて2枚です…
こだわりすぎて進みが遅い😂
だって素敵なシーンだから!!#あつ森 #どうぶつの森 #ACNH #千と千尋 #ジブリ pic.twitter.com/y2wJPK5RSA
Spirited Away isn’t the only Ghibli anime that Tsukimaro has proven works with the Animal Crossing aesthetic, either. For example here’s Kiki’s Delivery Service’s Tombo, as well as some of the cast of Howl’s Moving Castle.
ちょこっとだけど作りました
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 7, 2020
#どうぶつの森 #AnimalCrossing #ACNH #NintendoSwitch #あつ森 #ジブリ #魔女の宅急便 pic.twitter.com/p6OfXWbUKx
ボブですか? いいえ、あれはヒンです。#どうぶつの森 #AnimalCrossing #ACNH #NintendoSwitch #あつ森 #あつ森マイデザイン #ジブリ #ハウルの動く城 pic.twitter.com/6Cpi7MpAOr
— つきまろ (@maro_mooon) May 13, 2020
Tsukimaro has been updating the Animal Crossing version of Spirited Away with a new post more or less daily, and as awesome as it’s been to watch unfold, we’re going to be a little sad to see it end…unless, of course, that clears up Tsukimaro’s schedule to start another long-form Ghibli/New Horizons mashup.
Top image: Twitter/@HUb0E61kOpP3F0a
Insert images: Twitter/@HUb0E61kOpP3F0a (1, 2, 3, 4)
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Casey on Twitter, where Kiki’s Delivery Service remains his favorite Studio Ghibli film.






Wait, anime IS like reality? How to recreate Ghibli’s Spirited Away “name-stealing” magic【Video】
Spirited Away train station and submerged tracks attract Ghibli fans around Japan
Japanese fans swept away by Nintendo’s gorgeous new “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” Switch model
Studio Ghibli answers Spirited Away fan questions, reveals exciting facts and trivia behind the film
Spirited Away voice actors from China recreate iconic scenes from the anime film
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Our reporter is willing to die on the pseudo-Italian restaurant Olive Hill
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Japan law lets you claim reward for finding lost property, man may have scammed it over 60 times
Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Cup Noodle maker Nissin teams up with thick-broth ramen chain for instant ramen rice[Taste test]
From cameos to creepy-crawlies: 15 little-known facts about Studio Ghibli movies
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Spirited Away x Loewe pop-up store in Harajuku whisks visitors away to the world of Studio Ghibli
Japan has a Ghibli train where you can travel by the sea with Spirited Away’s No Face and Chihiro
Beautiful 3-D puzzle kit lets you build Ghibli’s Spirited Away bathhouse with no tools, glue【Pics】
Ghibli fans express their thanks to Miyazaki with six-second Vine masterpieces
Spirited Away bath herbs now available at Ghibli exhibition in Japan
Real-life Spirited Away train line found in Japan?
Japanese city changes into beautiful Spirited Away lookalike once a year, and it’s happening now
You can own Spirited Away’s cursed witch’s contract seal in real life【Photos】
All-ages Catbus, real-world Spirited Away office part of new Studio Ghibli museum exhibit【Photos】
Spirited Away posters for first theatrical release in China are stunningly beautiful
New Studio Ghibli Spirited Away merchandise: Golden amulets tell fortunes from No Face’s belly
We channel Sen from Ghibli’s Spirited Away and travel to a Japanese train station by the sea
New Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron exhibits unveiled at Ghibli Park
Studio Ghibli animator reveals the secret food eaten by Chihiro’s parents in Spirited Away
We travel to China to watch Studio Ghibli anime Spirited Away on its inaugural opening day
Spirited Away meals and merchandise coming to new Studio Ghibli exhibition in Tokyo
Leave a Reply