Studio Ghibli has signed a deal with Chinese entertainment company Alibaba Pictures to partner on an immersive exhibition in Shanghai, due to launch this year.
Also, the two companies will develop new animation projects for the Chinese market under the agreement, which was signed in early January by Studio Ghibli lead producer Toshio Suzuki and Alibaba Pictures president Li Jie.
The new exhibition will feature the works of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. Per a press release, it will be the studio’s “first foray into the realm of immersive exhibitions”.
Alibaba said the exhibition “will provide audiences with an extraordinary experience centered around the theme of Studio Ghibli’s world”.
Fans of Studio Ghibli will be immersed in “the enchanting realm of Hayao Miyazaki‘s animation, thereby reliving the profound emotions and inspiring bravery brought by the master animator”, Alibaba added.
The exhibition will be powered by Damai, Alibaba Group’s online ticketing platform for live events.
Exhibition to be powered by Damai
In more Ghibli news, Japan’s Ghibli Park has unveiled the retail and dining experiences opening as part of the Valley of Witches area in March.
The park’s fifth and final area is based on anime films including Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle. It joins the park’s existing areas – Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, and Mononoke Village.
Valley of Witches will feature the bakery residence of Kiki and her black cat Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service. The area also includes the Soratobu Oven restaurant, a hot dog stand called the Hot Tin Roof, and a shop named 13 Witches.
Images courtesy of Alibaba and Studio Ghibli
