ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Studio Ghibli Museum Celebrates 20 Years with Lavish Art Book

publication · 2026-04-27

In celebration of the Ghibli Museum's 20th anniversary in Mitaka, Tokyo, a two-volume art book titled "Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum" was published by Studio Ghibli's editorial team, under the direction of Tai Yukari. The box set, priced at 25,000 yen, sold out its initial print run prior to its release, with total sales nearing 12,000 copies by early April 2021. This initiative originated from a 2019 exhibition showcasing 600 works by Hayao Miyazaki. The first volume features sketches and proposals, while the second includes images chronicling the museum's establishment. Since its opening in October 2001, the Ghibli Museum has drawn over 700,000 visitors each year, with COVID-19 being the only exception. Additionally, "Animage to Studio Ghibli-ten" was exhibited at Matsuya Ginza this year.

Key facts

  • Two-volume art book 'Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum' released for 20th anniversary
  • Box set priced at 25,000 yen (approx. 200 euros)
  • First print run sold out before release; second and third editions printed
  • Cumulative sales reached about 12,000 units by early April 2021
  • Project originated from 2019 exhibition 'Sketch, Flash, Spark – From The Ghibli Forest Sketchbook'
  • Exhibition displayed around 600 works by Miyazaki and featured short film 'Fantasy Sky Flying Machine'
  • Volume one: 'Creating Special Exhibits 2001-2020'
  • Volume two: 'Creating the Ghibli Museum – Imageboards and Sketches'
  • Ghibli Museum opened October 2001 in Mitaka, Tokyo
  • Museum attracts over 700,000 visitors annually
  • Museum conceived after 1998 'Princess Mononoke' exhibition and Mitaka City's interest in cultural hub
  • Funding from Seiichiro Ujiie, president of Nippon Television
  • Miyazaki designed museum with advice from Toshio Suzuki
  • Exhibition 'Animage to Studio Ghibli-ten' runs until September 12 at Matsuya Ginza, then in Ishimaki

Entities

Artists

  • Hayao Miyazaki
  • Isao Takahata
  • Toshio Suzuki
  • Tai Yukari
  • Junko Sakamoto
  • Seiichiro Ujiie

Institutions

  • Studio Ghibli
  • Ghibli Museum
  • Nippon Television
  • Iwanami Shoten
  • Tokuma Shoten
  • Matsuya Ginza
  • Animage
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Mitaka
  • Tokyo
  • Japan
  • Inokashira Park
  • Ishimaki
  • Miyagi Prefecture

Sources