Studio Ghibli has just revealed the first official sales for The Boy and the Heron, the latest film from director Hayao Miyazaki coming to US theaters.
Released domestically as How Do You Live?, Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron opened in Japan earlier this year and is rapidly approaching a North American theatrical release on December 8. Studio Ghibli’s official online store, Donguri Sora, now offers a wide variety of merchandise based on the film, with collections including books, plush toys, statues, minifigures, keychains, puzzles and coin wallet. The site also sells The Boy and the Heron soundtrack, which includes songs by Joe Hisaishi and Kenshi Yonezu. Purchased individually, prices range from 660 yen (about 4.50 USD) to 19,800 yen (about 134 USD).
Related
Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki of Studio Ghibli begin production on “Totoro Whiskey”
The founders of legendary Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli teamed up with a distillery in Okinawa to create part of the design for a new whiskey.
Among the collection’s highlights, Ghibli has released two large plushies of the famous heron, who frequently switches between bird and human form throughout the film. The “Gray Heron” stuffed toy is approximately 4.3 inches tall and is instantly recognizable by its extended beak, which features a visible set of human teeth. The “Heron Man” plush is approximately 5.9 inches tall and features the transforming character in the middle. The plush toys are priced at 5,060 yen (34 USD) and 4,400 yen (29 USD), respectively. There are also several different versions of the cute Walla Walla creature, each priced at around 2,090 yen ($14 USD). Those who prefer a smaller, cheaper version can also find Walla Walla keychains on the site.
The collection also includes many figures representing other members of the film’s cast. In addition to the “Yubiningyo” group of elders and the macaw king, there are several different versions of the king’s brightly colored bird soldiers, as well as a coin purse modeled after Gamaguchi’s bag. Kiriko costs around 3,080 yen (21 USD). Among the more unique items in the collection is the famous art poster of Heron, which Ghibli initially used as the sole marketing item for the film. Those interested in more examples of Miyazaki’s art can also purchase The Art of How Do You Live, which includes background paintings, concept art, and stills from the film. This book costs about 4,620 yen (31 USD).
Related
Ghibli became the most valuable studio acquisition in Anime history
The Boy and the Heron’s Studio Ghibli was revealed as the most valuable anime studio to undergo M&A following its acquisition of Nippon TV in October.
The Boy and the Heron is a fantasy film partly inspired by Miyazaki’s childhood memories of World War II. The main character of the film is a boy named Mahito Maki, whose mother was killed in the Tokyo bombing in 1942. Soon after, his father moved Mahito to the countryside to live with his maternal aunt. One day, Mahito met a gray heron in the forest, who taunted him by saying that his mother was waiting for him in another world. Driven by blind hope, Mahito follows the heron into a fantasy world filled with magic and mystery. While fans initially believed that this was Miyazaki’s last film, Ghibli later confirmed that the famous director had once again retired and was working on another animation project.
The Boy and the Heron opens in North American theaters on December 8.
Source: Donguri Sora