The upcoming Studio Ghibli theme park will be delayed two years until 2022 but new details and concept art of the park has been released.
Ghibli Park will be located on a 200-hectare plot of land near Nagoya, Japan. It is the same land that hosted the 2005 World’s Fair, meaning the area already has a fully-built replica of Satsuki and Mei’s house from the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro that was constructed for that event.
The house will be maintained for the new park, as will the footpaths in the forest behind it.
Aichi Prefecture, the local jurisdiction which is leading on the Ghibli Park project, has released concept art of the different areas that will be found within the large complex.
The park will be divided into five areas, each with a unique theme. The area immediately around the entrance will be styled after Howl’s Moving Castle, which itself was inspired by the fantasy works of the 19th century.
Mononoke Village will be themed on Princess Mononoke. It will feature the “Tataraba” iron mill seen in the film as well as a sculpture of the “Tatari Gami” spirit monster.
In the Witch Valley area will be attractions themed on Kiki’s Delivery Service, including a replica of “Okinotei”, the house of Kiki’s parents. The area will also include an amusement park.
In December 2017, Kiyofumi Nakajima, the former director of the Ghibli Museum, was appointed president of Studio Ghibli. It was widely expected that his appointment would hasten the arrival of the theme park.
Images: c. Studio Ghibli.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/04/25/national/studio-ghibli-plans-open-new-theme-park-near-nagoya-2022/#.WuGhM4jwbb0
