Studio Ghibli has recreated the two supporting characters in Howl’s Moving Castle into adorable stuffed animals.
According to Japan Today, fans of the animated classic can now purchase reproductions of the plush toy that briefly appeared in a brief scene in Howl’s bedroom, snuggled up against the headboard of his bed. Retailing for 7,700 yen (about 56 USD), these items are sold in pairs and are available at Donguri Kyowakoku stores nationwide and online.
About Howl’s Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki
Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle premiered in 2004, grossing an impressive $236 million at the global box office, becoming one of the animated films highest-grossing model in history. Additionally, it has won several prestigious awards, including Best Screenplay at the 2007 Nebula Awards and Animation of the Year at the 2005 Tokyo Anime Awards, although the film received a nomination in the category. Best Animated Feature Film at the 2006 Academy Awards, losing to Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
About Dianna Wynne Jones’ Moving Castle
Based on the 1986 children’s novel of the same name by Dianna Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle follows Sophie, a young miller cursed by a jealous and petty witch to become an elderly woman. . While trying to find a way to break the spell, Sophie finds herself hired as a cleaning lady for a famous witch with pomp and mystery.
The cute stuffed animals in Howl’s Moving Castle aren’t the only recent example of new Studio Ghibli merchandise that fans of the legendary animation company can spend their hard-earned money on. Notably, Hasamiyaki Ceramics now offers a special tea set based on 1988’s My Neighbor Totoro. Along with cups and teapots, the set includes three green tea flavors: mikan (citrus) flavor, genmai (citrus) flavor (citrus) brown rice) fragrant sweet potato and corn tea. Additionally, Studio Ghibli and Japanese artist Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten have teamed up to create a new line of extremely expensive handcrafted collectibles. For example, a miniature woodcut of the studio’s mascot costs a staggering 330,000 yen (about $2,450).
Studio Ghibli fans have more to get excited about than just new merchandise; How Do You Live?, Miyazaki’s next film, will be released in July. Reportedly, the film’s plot will focus on the impact of Yoshino Genzaburo’s real-life novel of the same name on the main character of Yoshino Genzaburo. story.
Many Studio Ghibli classics, including Howling’s Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro, are available on HBO Max.
Source: Japan Today