Anyone up for an adventure? Studio Ghibli’s first-ever exhibition in Singapore will whisk you away to whimsical realms.
Who’s excited for October? Because we are! There are plenty of fun things to do and new attractions to check out, including The World of Studio Ghibli, the famed Japanese animation studio’s first-ever exhibition in Singapore. That’s right, folks – you don’t need to be spirited away to the Land of the Rising Sun to check out this magical experience! Here’s everything you need to know about ArtScience Museum’s latest exhibition.
What to expect at The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition in Singapore
Before we dive into the deets, here’s a quick background on Studio Ghibli. Founded in 1985, the powerhouse has produced classics like My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle, which have garnered critical acclaim and inspired the animation industry.
As The World of Studio Ghibli lands for the first time in Singapore, fans can look forward to a few things. Top of the list? 11 galleries split across two floors (Basement 2 and Level 3) showcasing the studio’s beloved flicks, with 16 large-scale theatrical sets bringing iconic scenes to life and 16 box art installations highlighting intricate details from the various movies. There are some fun activities within the galleries too! Shop for exclusive merch at the retail store when you’re done. Psst: cool programmes will take place throughout the exhibition’s run, including film screenings in cinemas across Singapore.
Here’s a breakdown of the exhibition as you walk through it from beginning to end.
Films featured in The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition
1. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
This is the first installation that greets you as you make your way to the ArtScience Museum. Released in 2008, this animated fantasy by Hayao Miyazaki (aka Studio Ghibli’s most prolific director) is a tale about a goldfish princess who escapes from the ocean and is helped by a human boy after she’s left stranded on the shore.
As the two grow closer, Ponyo desperately wishes to become a human girl, while her father, a powerful wizard, schemes to get her back. Why is this installation at the lily pond instead of inside the museum? “Because she’s a fish,” a representative tells us. Fair enough.
Our sweet tip: Since this is outdoors, you’ll have to jostle through the crowd to get a good shot of Ponyo.
What we think of this: It’s cute but nothing special. You can see it anytime without having to pay a hefty price.
2. Howl’s Moving Castle
Everyone knows this film, dubbed a “strange tale of the love between a handsome wizard and an elderly woman”, at the gallery’s entrance. This 2001 hit tells the story of Sophie, a young milliner who is turned into a 90-year-old woman by a witch. (Isn’t that relatable, millennials? Feeling young but trapped in an ageing body…) She encounters the wizard Howl and joins his motley crew as a cleaning lady.
Fun fact: while the animated feature is (loosely) based on a novel of the same name, it’s primarily influenced by Hayao Miyazaki’s opposition towards the invasion of Iraq.
Our sweet tip: This section starts strong with a cool moving castle, which you should film for your ‘gram. But we absolutely adore the next space, where you can get up close with the characters. Take photos with Calcifer by pretending you’re trying to stay warm or grilling something!
What we think of this: Tbh, it didn’t do the movie justice. But +1000 aura points for the castle. Howl will be proud!
3. Castle In the Sky
Most would probably deem Studio Ghibli’s first official film underrated, but it’s getting its flowers at this exhibition. Castle in the Sky is a dramatic action-adventure feature that centres around Laputa. This island was raised into the sky 700 years ago but has been regarded as an urban legend since then.
Pazu, an impoverished boy, dreams of completing his late father’s mission to find the lost floating island. The movie was inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s trips to Wales, where he witnessed the coal miners’ strike, and the literary classic Gulliver’s Travels.
Our sweet tip: Keep your eyes peeled for the half-hidden set reflected on the mirrored floor – it’s a good spot for some hilarious shots. We also wanna shout out the large installation near this gallery’s entrance, which highlights an iconic scene from the movie.
What we think of this: Pass… sorta. Sorry, Laputa fans.
4. My Neighbour Totoro
The animated feature that started it all. You’re not a true blue fan if you don’t know this one! Taking place in a Tokyo suburb in the 1950s, the fantasy movie is about two sisters who move into a dilapidated home so that their mother can recover from a long-term illness.
Their adventure commences when they encounter fuzzy black dust sprites, eventually leading them to meet other forest spirits. There are conspiracy theories that the movie is based on a famous murder case and Totoro, the well-loved Ghibli mascot, is actually a death god. We say take these with a pinch bucket of salt.
Our sweet tip: There are so many things to see and do here! You can pose with Totoro and the sisters in the rain (an umbrella is provided), peep at the ‘sleeping’ cat through various holes, and strut down a walkway covered with leaves. Take a breather at the two activity zones, where you can write “notes of little joy” to your loved ones, and make an optical toy. You’ll probably spend a good chunk of time here.
What we think of this: 10/10. No notes!
5. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Released in 1984, Hayao Miyazaki’s first film, which led to the birth of Studio Ghibli, is based on his manga series of the same name. Nausicaa is a teenage princess who faces off against Tolmekia, an empire that wants to get rid of giant mutant insects by using an ancient weapon. Thematically, this science fiction masterpiece focuses on anti-war sentiments and environmentalism. It has garnered critical acclaim and is often regarded as one of the best animated films ever.
Our sweet tip: The sculpture of Nausicaa on her glider is the first thing you see once you step out of the elevator. It’s a cute spot for fun photos – you can look up at the character or pretend to run away from her.
What we think of this: Sadly, nothing much. We’d love it if The World of Studio Ghibli went more in-depth for this film since it’s the first release.
6. The Boy and the Heron
The studio’s most recent release occupies the same space as the abovementioned movie. The Oscar-winning fantasy follows Mahito, who yearns for his dead mother. One day, he’s visited by an avian guide – half man, half heron – who brings him on an adventure where dreams and reality collide before arriving in a world where life and death exist on the same plane.
The Boy and the Heron is said to be semi-autobiographical, featuring certain events derived from Hayao Miyazaki’s childhood. It also marks the director’s return from retirement.
Our sweet tip: There’s a large recreation from a pivotal scene in the movie. We say spend a few minutes drinking it in.
What we think of this: Hands up if you’ve watched this! You may be disappointed, but we appreciate its appearance. Plus, it’s the first time the film is featured in The World of Studio Ghibli and Singapore has first dibs. We’re so lucky.
7. Porco Rosso
This was initially planned as an in-flight short for Japan Airlines before it expanded into a proper feature. Set in the Adriatic Sea (a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan Peninsula) during the 1920s, this action film revolves around a former WWI ex-fighter ace who now operates as a bounty hunter chasing down air pirates. It’s said that the movie places Hayao Miyazaki’s love for airplanes front and centre, while the protagonist is a personification of the director’s masculine ideals and heroic aesthetics.
Our sweet tip: Pay attention to the beach background in this set – we’re told it’s made of real sand, not a printout of the drawing.
What we think of this: We’re venturing into Studio Ghibli lore here, where you can (and should) brush up on your knowledge and understanding of the animation studio.
8. Pom Poko
“Have you seen the film?” our colleague asked, and truthfully, we have not. The lore continues through this gallery, where, funnily enough, the movie was conceived after Porco Rosso. Coincidence? We think not. The only non-Hayao Miyazaki film to be featured in the exhibition, it follows a community of tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs) fighting to preserve their home, which is slowly being destroyed to make way for residential development. Sounds familiar, yes? In Japanese folklore, these animals are considered magical creatures that can shapeshift and be full of mischief.
Our sweet tip: Even though there’s only one set here, take some time to explore the space. Let’s see if you can spot all the tanuki here!
What we think of this: Ghibli Education 101. Think of it as a filler track in your favourite artist’s album. Skip it? Sure, but we say have a little bit of fun.
9. Princess Mononoke
The mood is more sombre here than in the other galleries, but that’s totally understandable if you know the meaning and intention behind this film. Environmentalism is at the forefront of this animated feature, which follows Ashitaka, a young tribal prince cursed by a demon god after slaying it to protect his village.
Per an oracle’s advice, he heads west, meets San (aka the titular Princess Mononoke), and gets embroiled in a struggle between humans and supernatural entities. Unlike typical Ghibli films, this 1997 historical fantasy epic contains brutal images, but that didn’t stop the movie from becoming a huge sensation with audiences.
Our sweet tip: There’s a cool nook where you can pose for photos. Take a minute to watch a pivotal scene projected on the translucent screen, which fades to reveal an animal statue.
What we think of this: We like how vibey this gallery is, even if that’s not what the studio intended. It’s mysterious yet inspiring – and now we feel like rewatching the movie again.
10. Kiki’s Delivery Service
After all that seriousness, it’s back to love and light at this gallery. Kiki is an apprentice witch who must leave home and spend a year in an unfamiliar locale as a rite of passage. Arriving in a seaside town with her black cat Jiji in tow, the 13-year-old gets a job at a bakery while starting her delivery service. Kiki faces tribulations and gains life lessons along the way.
Similar to Pocco Rosco, this hit film was originally conceived as a short film; Hayao Miyazaki was inspired to expand the story while working on the screenplay.
Our sweet tip: If you ask us, this is one of the most interactive galleries throughout the exhibition. Go on and have fun at the rope set, the bakery scene with Kiki and Jiji, and a bicycle set-up – yes, you can get on it!
What we think of this: We have differing opinions about this. One of our worker bees enjoyed this gallery, while another thought it was boring. Your mileage may vary!
11. Spirited Away
The icon, the legend, the moment. Ask anyone about their favourite Studio Ghibli movie (or the one they’re most familiar with), and this is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Spirited Away won the Best Animated Feature at the 2002 Academy Awards and is one of the studio’s most recognisable outputs.
It follows 10-year-old Chihiro (yes, this character inspired the track on Billie Eilish’s latest album), who has to save her parents after they are turned into giant pigs by a tyrannical witch. Many critics claim this magnificent film changed the animation industry forever.
Our sweet tip: Make sure your phone still has enough juice and storage space, ‘cos you’ll be taking loads of photos and videos here. Check out No Face’s room, which has a familiar local element we know and love. The last activity zone can be found here; visitors can draw their own soot sprites.
What we think of this: “Boomz!” according to our colleague. The organising team went all out and saved the best for last. It’s a good end to the entire experience.
How to experience The World of Studio Ghibli in Singapore
- You don’t need to watch the films to enjoy the experience, but they’re available on Netflix if you want to. We admire your dedication!
- This is a highly anticipated event, so we recommend getting your tickets in advance. To avoid the crowds, visit the exhibition on a weekday – Monday is the best.
- Set aside a couple of hours for the experience, especially if you wanna do the activities.
- Wear comfortable shoes because there’s a good amount of walking. Bonus points if you dress up as one of your fave Chibli characters!
- As the exhibition is split between two levels, the museum recommends starting your experience at Basement 2.
The World of Studio Ghibli, 4 October 2024 to 2 February 2025, ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018974; ticket prices start at $29 ($24 for concession)
