SINGAPORE: Studio Ghibli fans will soon be able to step inside the worlds of some of the animation studio’s most beloved films when its largest immersive exhibition to date opens in Singapore this December.
The Story of Studio Ghibli will open at Gardens by the Bay on Dec 18, spanning nearly 3,500 sq m and featuring 12 life-sized recreated worlds inspired by films including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and The Boy and the Heron.
Among the centrepieces will be the world’s first eight-metre-tall three-dimensional recreation of the iconic bathhouse from Spirited Away.
Visitors will also be able to encounter the majestic Ohmu from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, stand beside Totoro while waiting for the Catbus and wander through the mysterious streets of Spirited Away.
Interactive multimedia installations throughout the exhibition are designed to place visitors at the centre of the stories, transforming familiar scenes into immersive experiences.
The Singapore edition is produced by TSUKURU, INC. and M Experience, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board.
M Experience chief executive officer Sean Lim said the exhibition was designed to be more than a showcase of Studio Ghibli’s celebrated films.
“The Story of Studio Ghibli is not simply an exhibition to be viewed. It is an experience to be felt. Through 12 recreated immersive scenes inspired by iconic Studio Ghibli films, visitors will be invited to step into the stories themselves and connect with the emotions, values and imagination that continue to resonate across cultures and generations,” he said.
Singapore Tourism Board director of leisure events, Guo Teyi, said the exhibition would further strengthen Singapore’s line-up of major international experiences.
“We are delighted to welcome the world premiere of The Story of Studio Ghibli to Singapore. The expanded, immersive experience will bring beloved stories to life for fans and create unforgettable moments for visitors.
“Events of this calibre contribute to Singapore’s vibrancy, adding to our line-up of world-class experiences and reinforcing our appeal as the region’s premier lifestyle destination,” she said in a statement.
Designed for fans of all ages, the exhibition will also explore themes including creativity, resilience and environmental stewardship.
Educational initiatives and learning opportunities are being developed to encourage deeper engagement with the themes, with further details to be announced closer to the opening.
Tickets are now available through Klook, the exhibition’s official ticketing partner.
Each adult ticket purchased during the early-bird period from Sept 12 to Dec 17 will also include an exclusive limited-edition gift while stocks last.
Founded in 1985 by Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli has grown into one of the world’s most influential animation studios, with its films reaching audiences across generations.
