Written by: Gabriel Castillo
Published on: August 6, 2021 at 8:33 PM PHT (GMT+8)
Benelic Co., Ltd., the company in charge of official Studio Ghibli merchandise, has released new items to commemorate 20 years since the theatrical release of "Spirited Away". First, a life-sized version of Boh and Yubaba’s bird after their transformation which goes for 4,950 yen. Second, Spirited Away Konpeito candy purses with three designs for 1,100 yen each. Lastly, a squishy, hand-held version of iconic character No-Face for 1,210 yen. All items will be available starting August 7 in Donguri Republic stores and online via Sora no Ue.
Starting Saturday, customers who amass a bill over 4,000 yen will receive an extra commemorative item of their choosing. The first option is a good old hand-powered fan with a No-Face design that helps you beat the summer heat in Ghibli style. The second option is a roll of masking tape replicating tickets Sen used to ride the one-way train heading toward Swamp Bottom; a treat for stationery lovers. These freebies are only available until supplies last!
The three-dimensional figure captures the size and pudginess of Boh’s mouse form as well as Yubaba’s loyal bird in its small crow-like-fly-like form sitting atop the transformed infant. Its size, W100 x H70 x D100 (mm), is perfect for taking photos to recreate scenes or for display on your table.
Three types of Spirited Away themed candy pouches containing Konpeito candy are available. The first design has Otori-san — the duckling-like creatures in the bathhouse — as the centerpiece surrounded by different food from the film while he feasts on konpeito; this option comes with pine and lemon-flavored candy. Another design focuses on Yubaba, the film’s main antagonist, with various jewels floating around; this pouch comes with grape and lemon-flavored candy. The last design features the iconic Bathhouse from the film with No-Face in the foreground which comes with cider and lemon-flavored candy.
The last item is a small, foamy recreation of one of the film’s most recognizable characters, No-Face. Its squishy nature is reminiscent of the character’s demeanor allowing it to bend into various positions.
More about Spirited Away
Spirited Away is a Japanese fantasy film released in 2001 written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film follows ten-year-old Chihiro and her parents heading towards their new home. They decide to take a shortcut that leads them to the entrance of an abandoned theme park. Inside, the parents find a stall packed with food which they dive into and start pigging out. Chihiro has a bad feeling about the food, refuses to eat, and wanders around on her own. During her solo exploration, she meets a boy who demands that she leaves before dark lest she be trapped for eternity. In a panic, she runs back to her parents only to find them transformed into pigs while night falls and spirits roam the park. The boy, named Haku, helps Chihiro sneak past spirits and figure out a way to survive in that world. From there, their adventures begin. After grossing close to USD 400 million worldwide, the movie won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards making history as the first and only hand-drawn and non-English animated film to win. Accordingly, this title became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history for 19 years until it was beaten Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train in 2020. To celebrate 20 years since release, Studio Ghibli has been peppering fans with a plethora of themed merchandise and they will keep going as the film is well-loved by people around the world.
Source: PR Times Japan
