Studio Ghibli is opening a Zen exhibition in Kyoto, running October 3 to December 6, 2026, at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art. Built around The Boy and the Heron, it traces back to a book of dialogues between producer Toshio Suzuki and three Zen monks. Here is what Zen actually is, and the surprising things it shares with Ghibli's films.
Studio Ghibli specialty chain Donguri Republic opens its first U.S. store as a pop-up near Los Angeles. Dates, hours, perks, and why the chain isn't actually new to overseas markets.
Japan's all-time anime box office ranking, in one table: Demon Slayer holds the top two spots, followed by Ghibli, Makoto Shinkai, and Conan. The latest Detective Conan film has hit 13 billion yen to become the 16th-biggest anime ever, while The Super Mario Galaxy Movie crosses $1 billion worldwide. Plus an admissions comparison that accounts for rising ticket prices.
Tatsumi Publishing's Tanuki Marugoto BOOK, released May 1, hit #1 in 12 Amazon categories during pre-orders alone. From Shigaraki pottery statues outside every Japanese restaurant to Studio Ghibli's Pom Poko, from Animal Crossing's Tom Nook to viral SNS memes with 96 million views — why is Japan so devoted to this uniquely Japanese canid? A guide for overseas readers (and please, it's not a raccoon).
Studio Ghibli's first-ever original short made specifically for Ghibli Park, A Night in the Valley of Witches, premieres July 8, 2026 at Cinema Orion in Aichi. Complete guide for international fans: director backgrounds, ticket strategy, and overseas screening prospects.
Eureka Seven turned 20. Every key staff member's debut work, Mamoru Miyano's origin story, and proof that the Itano Circus works without missiles — five reasons to watch this underrated mecha masterpiece, backed by anniversary comments from the creators themselves.
During the January 2, 2026 broadcast of Spirited Away on Friday Road Show, director Hayao Miyazaki explained the true identity of No-Face: a symbol of "people who want to latch onto others but have no sense of self." The revelation sparked huge reactions on social media.