Shirts take inspiration from memorable sights at Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum, offered in both adult and kid sizes.
Castle in the Sky Laputa
Did you think the stew that appears in Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky looked good? So did we, so we made it.
”This guy’s got some mad game” says our reviewer, who watched the Hayao Miyazaki classic for the first time at the age of 30.
Character dynamics in the anime classic were inspired by the relationship between Miyazaki’s mom and her four sons.
Special exhibition looks back on the amazing depictions of food in Studio Ghibli’s anime films.
This isn’t the first time atmospheric anime cosplay has been reported in the country either.
When you find something you really like, it’s sometimes hard to express how much it’s influencing your life. To show off how much they love something, some fans try cosplay or rampant consumerism. Others write songs or fan fiction to tell the world the extent of their affection.
But for others, it’s as simple as drawing a picture that perfectly captures all their feelings on the paper. One such artist has put her heart and soul into some fan art that shows the kind of devotion Studio Ghibli inspires in its fans.
Tributes to world-famous Hayao Miyazaki have been pouring in from around the world this past year. They all show a deep appreciation for the great director and are maybe even trying to persuade him to work on another film, but since Miyazaki is currently planning his nature preserve off of Okinawa, we will have to tide ourselves over with more beautiful tributes to him. Today’s is a fantastic 8-bit pixel video that features the characters from all our Ghibli favorites.
Mount Fuji—its almost perfectly symmetrical shape and towering, snow-topped beauty have long been a symbol of Japan, recognised the world round. It has also recently been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its strong ties to the Japanese culture. And now, in the clear skies following this week’s typhoon, it is also being called Laputa, as Twitter users are posting their impressive photos of the cloud-capped peak.
So a friend and I have a debate about what happens at the end of the Studio Ghibli anime movie Castle in the Sky Laputa. As the credits roll, the floating island is seen drifting into space, which I, as is my simple-minded nature, take literally. On the other hand, my friend argues that the visuals are at least partly metaphoric, and that the mysterious landmass didn’t really escape Earth’s orbit (he also contends that my proposed Laputa/Space Dandy crossover/sequel is too silly to ever get made).
But while it’s likely Laputa director and creator Hayao Miyazai purposely chose to craft an ambiguous ending to the film, we do now know what happened to the island: it became this awesome hanging planter from anime retailer Benelic.
We’re sure many anime fans shared our excitement last May when the newest replica of the pendant from Studio Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky was announced. Sure, there had been chances to buy a necklace modeled after heroine Sheeta’s magical levistone accessory before, but this was the first time we’d be able to get our hands on one that actually reacts when you speak one of the film’s incantations into it.
Likewise, we’re sure many of the Ghibli faithful were as heartbroken as we were when the initial shipment of the special pendants sold out almost immediately. Still, the six months it took for a restock was a just a minor addition to the 20-plus years we’ve been waiting to try the pedant out since we first saw Laputa.
Now, finally, we’ve got the levistone pendant in our hands, and we’re ready to field test its ability to respond to our mystic commands.













Cherry blossom sake rice beer arriving in Japan well ahead of cherry blossom season, but how?
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Beautiful Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle pins both are and aren’t great gacha items【Pics】
Photos from 140 years ago show Tokyo’s skyline was amazing long before the Skytree was ever built
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Giant life-size Alolan Exeggutor Pokémon appears at Pokémon World Championships in Japan【Photos】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
If you haven’t tried an antenna shop in Japan, you’re missing out
Japan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country
Studio Ghibli releases Spirited Away bags in Japan, based on a mysterious festival
Japanese young women reveal their top dealbreakers in a man【Survey】
Studio Ghibli turns My Neighbour Totoro characters into bag charms for everyday adventures
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
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
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Giant life-size Alolan Exeggutor Pokémon appears at Pokémon World Championships in Japan【Photos】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
Why did the crazy-expensive version of Japan’s super-cheap corn snack sell out? We ask the artist
Sega’s Mega Drive/Genesis lives again, is back in production 28 years after its initial launch
Man in Kyoto leaves bag of red-stained knives in front of stranger’s house【Video】
Studio Ghibli turns My Neighbour Totoro characters into bag charms for everyday adventures
We get our hands on some “Booby Ice Cream” from Kochi Prefecture
The 10 most attractive Japanese women’s names, as chosen by dating app users
Flex and pose your way to fitness with the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure exercise program!【Video】