Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Fans get first look at forthcoming Studio Ghibli theme park

Theme park set to open in autumn 2022

Annabel Nugent
Tuesday 09 February 2021 09:38 GMT
Comments
Studio Ghibli releases first scene of Earwig and the Witch

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Fans have been given a first look at the forthcoming Studio Ghibli theme park. 

First announced by the Japanese studio in 2017, the theme park is now due to open as early as autumn 2022.  It will be located at the Aichi Expo Memorial Park in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, in Japan. 

Although construction is still underway, two new images of concept art for the park have been released. 

Fans of the Ghibli movies will recognise the eponymous structure from Howl’s Moving Castle, which the Ghibli team plan on building as tall as four-to-five storeys, according to reports from NME.

The second image is concept art for a replica of the village area seen in the studio’s 1997 film Princess Mononoke

Kotaku reports that the theme park will be divided into five areas: Witch Valley, Princess Mononoke Village, Ghibli’s Giant Warehouse, Dondoko Forest and Springtime of Life Hill. 

Studio Ghibli’s forthcoming feature Earwig and the Witch is the studio’s first film that uses full 3D CGI animation as opposed to being hand drawn.

The first scene from the film was released on 28 January to mixed reviews, with many viewers describing the new animation style as “off-putting”.

Earwig and the Witch is yet to receive a UK release date. 

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in