Ghibli Days | Multi-Property Style Guide
The Setting
Ghibli Days is a multi-property consumer products style guide featuring characters from My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Ponyo, and Arrietty.
Though Studio Ghibli films originate from Japan, you will often find a small Studio Ghibli merchandise kiosk tucked away in the pop-culture section of a bookstore here in the US. These sections include products from a variety of their most popular films, including Totoro, Kiki’s, and Ponyo.
Why Multi-property?
The films My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Ponyo, and Arrietty take place in different settings, follow vastly different story beats, and are more than twenty years apart in release. But, an important theme these films share is the joy in our youth that comes from curiosity, exploration, and adventure. This shared element is what has made these four films as beloved as they are. No wonder why you’ll find these four films with the most collective product in the Studio Ghibli store kiosks.
Kiki's Delivery Service
The Kiki's Delivery Service portion of the Ghibli Days style guide captures the excitement of stepping into something new through seaside inspired imagery. The designs reflect Kiki’s journey of discovery and independence as she holds tightly to her broomstick and signature bow.
Ponyo
The Ponyo portion of the Ghibli Days style guide embraces the untamed energy of titular character Ponyo through playful graphics inspired by coastal adventure. The designs reflect Ponyo’s escape from the ocean, her ability to reshape the tides, and the adventurous journey she shares with Sosuke across flooded landscapes in search of his mother Lisa.
My Neighbor Totoro (without Totoro!)
The My Neighbor Totoro portion of the Ghibli Days style guide focuses on the childhood curiosity found within the countryside. “Wander the Forest” features the acorn-collecting blue Totoro, emphasizing discovery and playful exploration, while “Growing With Time” references the nighttime growth ritual that takes place in the film, paired with the tiny white Totoro who will eventually grow to be Totoro-sized. “Out For Adventure” draws inspiration from the memorable sequence in which Mei first encounters the white and blue Totoros while wandering around their new home. I made the choice to omit the titular Totoro himself since he is commonly used as the face of Studio Ghibli. His omission would allow the characters featured in this guide to equally share the stage.
The Secret World of Arrietty
The Secret World of Arrietty portion centers on the themes of bravery and the film’s concept of ‘borrowing’ through the perspective of their miniature world. The collection captures Arrietty’s adventurous spirit as she navigates towering gardens, hidden passageways, and the large human world beyond her family’s home. “Scale the Unknown” draws inspiration from scenes of Arrietty climbing winding vines and traversing oversized natural environments, emphasizing exploration through scale and perspective. “The Best Things Are Borrowed” playfully references the Borrowers’ way of life, with Arrietty’s recognizable red hairclip replacing the “d” as a subtle graphic motif woven throughout the designs. “Every Journey Starts Small” is more on the nose, and reflects both the character’s physical size and the film’s larger message about courage and curiosity beginning with even the smallest steps.
Behind the Artwork
