Studio Ghibli fans will love the chance to visit The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition at ArtScience Museum, Singapore. Opened on 4 October 2024, The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition is one of ArtScience Museum’s most ambitious exhibitions and organised in collaboration with Studio Ghibli.
The World of Studio Ghibli will run from 4 October 2024 to 2 February 2025. There are 11 galleries spanning two levels, with 16 immersive theatrical sets meticulously crafted on-site by Japanese artisans.
I attended the media preview and bring you the highlights of this spectacular blockbuster exhibition at ArtScience Museum. Expect plenty of photo spots, spectacular backdrops, 3D sculptures, interactive touchpoints, crafting corners, and detailed diaoramas to gawk at.
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Even if you are not a Ghibli fan, the exhibition gives wonderful teasers to the well-loved films.
Meanwhile, prepare those Ghibli-inspired outfits or cosplay accessories to elevate your IG poses at The World of Studio Ghibli.
Get your tickets to The World of Studio Ghibli
The World Of Studio Ghibli At ArtScience Museum
The World of Studio Ghibli celebrates the iconic films of Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. It has produced some well-loved animated films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.
The exhibition at ArtScience Museum marks the Studio’s first showcase in Singapore, which explores the groundbreaking animation, storytelling, and beloved characters that have captivated audiences worldwide for nearly four decades.
Discovering Studio Ghibli & Its Works
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. They are known for visually stunning, hand-drawn animation, heartwarming stories surrounding complex themes such as environmentalism, war, and coming-of-age.
My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke are some of Studio Ghibli’s amazing films which have captured the hearts of audiences around the world.
“For years, ArtScience Museum has been trying to bring a Studio Ghibli show to Singapore, and finally, here it is – the big one! Studio Ghibli has created some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed animated films of all time. Their visually sumptuous films explore humanist topics like ecology and nature, and many feature diverse female characters who are strong, independent, complex, sensitively nuanced, and yet relatable. As such, the show – likely to be one of the biggest in our history – perfectly complements our Year of Extraordinary Women.” said Honor Harger, Vice President of ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands.
Amongst the highlights of The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition at ArtScience Museum are 16 large-scale theatrical sets that will transport visitors into iconic scenes of the movies – from waiting in the rain with Totoro and entering Howl’s Moving Castle to hopping on a train with No-Face.
The 16 whimsical art installations that offers a more intimate exploration and glimpse into Studio Ghibli’s creative processes.
Visitors can also look forward to making a stop at the retail shop at the end of the exhibition, where official Studio Ghibli merchandise and souvenirs that have been designed exclusively for this presentation at ArtScience Museum such as a Peranakan-styled skirt with Studio Ghibli characters.
What to Expect at ArtScience Museum’s The World Of Studio Ghibli
The blockbuster “The World of Studio Ghibli” exhibition is one of the largest to be shown at ArtScience Museum. As you enter ArtScience Museum, get greeted by Ponyo riding her wave of fishes.
Don’t we love Studio Ghibli for featuring female protagonists who are fearless and confident?
Entering the World of Studio Ghibli at ArtScience Museum
The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition is held at two levels – B1 and Level 3 of ArtScience Museum. Before you descend into a vastly different world, take the elevator that resembled the red one Chihiro took in Spirited Away. And yes, even the characters on the elevator doors mean something, can you guess what they mean?
ArtScience Museum brings The World of Studio Ghibli to life across 11 galleries spanning 2,400 square metres, taking visitors on an unforgettable journey through 11 well-loved films such as My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001) and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004).
First, walk through a corridor full of movie posters – keep an eye out on your favourite ones and classic Studio Ghibli films that we could have watched decades ago. One of my earliest was Graveyard of the Fireflies – a heart wrenching tearjerker that highlights the repercussions of war.
For those unfamiliar with Studio Ghibli films, fret not. At the entrance of each gallery you will find the synopsis of the movie as well as pictures and descriptions of the characters in the movie. This gets everyone up to speed about each film very quickly. The informative panel also piques your curiosity about the film! How clever.
Howl’s Moving Castle
The very first gallery is dedicated to one of the most iconic Studio Ghibli films: Howl’s Moving Castle.
Feast your eyes on the castle that comes to life and spend some moments soaking in the scene.
Enter the living room of Howl’s castle where you can find the main characters all in one scene. Every corner of the room has been painstakingly decorated and handpainted to resemble the scenes in the movie as closely as possible.
Calcifer is lit at his fireplace and cooked delicious bacon and eggs. How about feeding him some wood?
Visitors to the exhibition will have many chances to interact with the diaoramas. Turn the knob to see Sophie shocked at her transformation.
Then enter a suspended installation to see the 360 panorama of the countryside scenes in Howl’s Moving Castle. This gives visitors a closer look at the artistry of Studio Ghibli’s filmmaking art which makes every scene an art piece.
Castle in the Sky
Get to know the film Castle in the Sky in the second gallery.
Catch little Sheeta as she falls from the sky, when she was escaping from a mid-air collision. This is another photospot to pose at.
Then proceed to the amazingly intricate 3D scenes from the film – one of the orphans being pursued by pirates and the other of Sheeta getting rescued.
Don’t blink as you take a closer look at the castle in the sky. Here optical illusion captures your imagination as you peer into the reflection showing the details of the castle.
My Neighbour Totoro
This is possibly one gallery you will spend most of your time in, so do dedicate some time with everyone’s favourite neighbour Totoro. Since I’m a huge fan of My Neighbour Totoro, this gallery did not disappoint.
Even Mei and Sasutki are seen excitedly running to their new home, this excitement is surely infectious as I skip deeper into the gallery. I loved how Satsuki’s heartwarming letter to her mother about discovering Totoro is displayed for fans to gain a deeper appreciation into the details of the movie.
Spend some time craft Totoro bookmarks with a handwritten message. This is an easy craft for the kids.
Next tiptoe to the cave where someone is snoring away. Peep into the many holes to spot Totoro sound asleep and watch his belly moving up and down. Is he truly alive?
Time for a little game. Little ones can find the dust bunnies by lifting the flaps and walking through the mysterious forest.
I love the kid-sized ëntryways for little ones to walk through just like in the bushes and through the hollow of the tree where Mei finds Totoro sleeping.
Head to the Tsukamori forest to look for Totoro. This adventure has been made even more realistic with the clever use of lighting to mimick sunrays peeking through the foliage. And look out for the dust bunnies hiding above!
The iconic scene with Totoro, Mei and Satsuki will greet you. Here you will have the chance to pose with a red umbrella right next to the main character himself!
Don’t miss the catbus diaorama. Perhaps one giant sculpture missing from this gallery would be the cat bus!
Then take some time to make your very own Thaumatrope, this gives insight into how the Studio Ghibli filmmakers used traditional techniques, rather than resort to digital technology.
Follow the catbus’s paw prints to Level 3 to continue your exploration into The World of Studio Ghibli at ArtScience Museum.
The Boy & the Heron
Upon arriving at level 3, one wall is dedicated to The Boy & the Heron, Studio Ghibli’s latest film. Admire the illustrations taken from one of the scenes when Mahito the protagonist follows the grey heron.
Visitors will also see scenes from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, more specifically young Nausicaä on his glider and below him a giant insect. This takes us into a world of aviation.
Porco Rosso
Welcome to the world of Porco Rosso. A tale about a “pig pilot” who was cursed, as a WW1 pilot, he became a bounty hunter.
Check out the scene of him lazing about on deckchair on a beach, made with three tonnes of sand! Can you tell which parts of the scene were handpainted?
You can also take a good look at his propeller plane.
Pom Poko
Next up, go into the world of Japanese Racoon dogs that are also shape-shifters.
If you haven’t caught this Studio Ghibli film, I recommend a watch. This family-friendly film raises issues about our relationship with nature, animals and the environment as with other Studio Ghibli films.
Get the opportunity to enter the home of the tanoki. The entry way is stunningly detailed, right down to the “bird faeces” and handpainted streaks. To give you some context, the tanuki occupy the abandoned homes of humans as their forest habitats were getting destroyed.
Pom Poko might not have the happiest ending, but it leaves us thinking of our roles and the conflicting interests of society.
Princess Mononoke
Step into Princess Mononoke’s realm next. Scenes of the film are shown on the screen, together with 3D sculptures of the main characters.
This is another Studio Ghibli classic to add to the film library also exploring the relationship between humanity and nature. The protagonist, young Ashitaka – infected by an animal attack, seeks a cure from the deer-like god Shishigami. In his travels, he sees humans ravaging the earth, bringing down the wrath of wolf god Moro and his human companion Princess Mononoke.
One photospot here is the backdrop of the forest where the adorable kodama or tree spirits are lurking behind.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
From some dark themes come a slightly more light-hearted transition to the bakery where Kiki the witch delivery lady works.
You can pose at the bakery and peer through the windows to see KiKi and Jiji the cat.
There are a few photospots here. My favourite is the one of Jiji and his new family. You can also cycle on Tombo’s bicycle.
For more fun as a duo, you can also pose as Kiki on her broom rescuing Tombo who is clinging on to a rope for dear life.
Spirited Away
The World of Studio Ghibli’s final gallery is a larger section dedicated to the well-loved film Spirited Away.
Perhaps this is the grandest finale to the exhibition. We are first greeted with the poignant scene of Chihiro crossing the bridge into the world of kami – and she has no choice but to slave away at the bathhouse to lift the curse off her parents.
There is another craft corner here, resembling the boiler room in Spirited Away.
Make your very own soot bookmarks!
As you progress, tiptoe past Yubaba’s desk.
Witness the chaos No-Face has caused in the bathhouse.
Then sit right next by No-Face as the tram heads nearer to Zeniba’s home.
Kids and kidults, check out our reel below on the experience at The World of Studio Ghibli!
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Gift Shop
Finally visit the gift shop with an extensive selection of Studio Ghibli merch.
Our Take on The World of Studio Ghibli at ArtScience Museum
As a fan of Ghibli films, I loved how immersive the installations were. There were hands-on activities, many wonderful photospots, highly detailed scenes both in life-sized versions and miniature versions and a chance to gain insight into the world of Miyazaki. I was inspired to watch all the films featured in the exhibition after learning more about the characters, storylines and inspiration behind the movies.
Even folks new to Studio Ghibli might be drawn to the films based on the intricate artworks and vivid portrayal of characters. This is a must-see for anyone with a sense of wonder and imagination. Get ready to be spirited away!
Complementary Programmes
ArtScience Cinema will also be offering free screenings of two documentaries on Level 4 of the Museum: Kazuo Oga – Ghibli’s Image Artisan – The Artist Who Made Totoro’s Forest (2007) and The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013), directed by Mami Sunada which will provide a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of the most celebrated animation houses of all time.
Those who would like to catch a breath of fresh air can also follow the path of the wind and enjoy a lovely stroll along the waterfront to the enchanting music from their favourite Studio Ghibli films.
To delve deeper into Japanese culture, visitors can drop by Sen – a ticketed immersive VR experience that depicts the wondrous world hidden within a cup during a traditional tea ceremony.
Sen is screening at the ArtScience Museum’s VR Gallery, Level 4. Admission times are 10.30 am, 11 am, 11.30 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 2.30 pm, 3 pm, 3.30 pm, 5 pm, 5.30 pm, 6 pm and 6.30 pm. There are additional 7.30 pm, 8 pm and 8.30 pm timeslots available every Fri and Sat for ArtScience After Hours. Sen is suitable for 11 years old and above.
Free Exhibition Next Door: An Ocean City Reimagined
Right next to The World of Studio Ghibli on level B1 of ArtScience Museum is its ArtScientist-in-Residence Cesar Jung-Harada’s exhibition on a reimagined floating city. In line with the theme of sustainability and humans adapting to real issues brought about by global warming, this exhibit is free for all to view.
To celebrate the launch of The World of Studio Ghibli at ArtScience Museum, visitors can look forward to extending their whimsical journey through the studio’s iconic films by embarking on a special Adventure Stamp Trail across Marina Bay Sands.
The World of Studio Ghibli Adventure Stamp Trail Held from 24 to 31 Oct
There was a World of Studio Ghibli Adventure Stamp Trail held from 24 to 31 October 2024. During that period, The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition ticketholders could participate in this special adventure trail across Marina Bay Sands by picking up a stamp rally passport at the end of the exhibition and following the map to encounter mini installations, artworks and interactive displays.
Inspired by the Eki Stamps in Japan, each station allowed visitors to stamp their The World of Studio Ghibli passport – collectable at the end of the World of Studio Ghibli exhibition – with unique designs featuring well-known scenes from My Neighbour Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle and more.
After completing their stamp rally, visitors were able to gain exclusive access to a Ghibli-themed photobooth at the Museum as well as complimentary admission to Digital Light Canvas by teamLab.
Tickets to The World of Studio Ghibli
Get your tickets from The World of Studio Ghibli ticketing site.
Off peak ticketing rates start at $24 for senior citizens and children 2 to 12, and $29 for adults. Peak ticketing rates are at $34 for senior citizens and children, and $39 for adults.
More details on The World of Studio Ghibli.
Get your tickets to The World of Studio Ghibli
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