Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

What do you think about Japanese animation? Personally, I’m not a big fan of Japanese animation that’s currently being aired. Japanese animation that’s currently being aired doesn’t seem to have much heart put into it. Take for example the Japanese animation that I love, Dragon Ball. This animation is on the air again for the first time in years. It’s even got a new story and some new characters. When compared with the previous Dragon Ball series that aired, there is a forced number of new characters who are showing up just so that the story can advance, along with events happening that us fans are all sure would never happen. The new series entitled ‘Dragon Ball Super’ seems to have a lot of aspects about it that are forced. Despite the fact I’m a huge Dragon Ball fan, this is one series that I want nothing to do with. The amount of Japanese animations that have these ‘forced’ aspects about them seems to be increasing, and the quality of these animations seem to be decreasing.

Despite the fact that I no longer have much of an interest in Japanese animation, there is still one company producing Japanese animation that I want to see. That company is Studio Ghibli. I think it’s safe to say, but most Japanese people too enjoy movies made by Studio Ghibli. This is one company that puts their heart into making animated movies, a company that reminds us how wonderful Japanese animation can be. No matter how many times I watch a Studio Ghibli movie, they never gets old.

Studio Ghibli was a company that was founded in June, 1985. In the same year, the legendary director Hayao Miyazaki directed the movie ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind’. It was a movie that was a big hit, and since then Studio Ghibli has become a company who’s name is known all over the world. Even for those (like myself) who aren’t really interested in Japanese animation, even for those who don’t have much of an interest in Japan enjoy Studio Ghibli movies. Everyone who watches these films has a feeling of being brought into another world. There are many companies in Japan that produce animated movies, but at the current moment only a handful (or less) of these companies produce movies that’ll make you feel the way Studio Ghibli does.

For those fans of Studio Ghibli movies I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you, but in the city of Mitaka in Tokyo there is the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka. I visited this museum last week for this first time in about a year. At this museum you can see storyboards and so on that have been drawn by Hayao Miyazaki and other members at Studi Ghibli, as well as learn about how animated movies are made. On top of all of this, there are short films that are only shown here. This is one place that fans of Studio Ghibli will want to visit at least once. Believe it or not, the building that this museum is in was designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself. Even if you don’t look at any of the displays, just by going inside this building you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into another world, you’ll have tons of fun. The entrance tickets for this museum can only be bought via the internet or at Loppi machines inside of Lawson convenient stores. The date and time at which you enter this museum is predetermined, so for those looking to visit that’s something to keep in mind. Assume that you won’t be able to enter the museum on the day that you purchase your ticket(s).

Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to take any photographs or video on the inside of either the museum or the cafe here. Outside of any of the buildings you can take as many photos and videos as you’d like. I imagine this rule has something to do with all the original storyboards and so on plastered around the museum.








The robot soldier from the movie 'Castle in the Sky'.


If I remember correctly, this is also from the movie 'Castle in the Sky'.






Seeing as I wasn't feeling well and my throat hurt, I ordered a coffee at the cafe. It was mostly full of milk. Yum!



If anyone has any recommendations for Japanese animations to watch, I'd like it if you'd let me know.

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