Kiki, No Face, and Totoro, oh my!
At this year’s New York Comic Con (NYCC), Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles displayed its expanded Studio Ghibli offerings, debuting items that are available for purchase now and others to come in January.
This year marked the first time that Studio Ghibli — the animation studio behind Hayao Miyazaki’s films My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and more — had a presence at the popular convention. As the exclusive distributor of the studio’s products in North America, Bandai had a dedicated and spacious area for this merch, adjacent to its Tamagotchi and Tamashii Nations booths.
Some items the company had on display are already available, such as Spirited Away playing cards ($12), a 1,000-piece Totoro puzzle ($60), a collection of Totoro tilting figures ($23), a 4.5-inch Totoro with a leaf plush ($15), and a Princess Mononoke Yakul plush ($17). Two of the products shown above are listed on Bandai’s website, but there’s no option to preorder them at this time. These are the Studio Ghibli towel bundle ($34) and the 8-inch Spirited Away No Face plush ($15).
A brand representative shared, “The studio’s very protective of how their items are displayed, so we’re proud that we’re able to publicly display Studio Ghibli as they don’t have their own booth … Studio Ghibli displays [need to have] nature and earth tones, which creates a different vibe and atmosphere. The studio seems to be happy with it because they allow us to display publicly at huge events like this.”
While the sign on the above picture announces these plushes are coming soon, a few are already available for purchase. Pick up a set of four microfiber Studio Ghibli towels ($30), a 12-inch, die-cut Totoro plush ($28), or a 15-inch die-cut Totoro plush ($37). Again, two products shown above are listed on Bandai’s website, but there’s no option to preorder them yet. These are the 6-inch fluffy Totoro plush ($15) and the 9-inch fluffy Totoro plush ($30). The other items pictured have yet to make their way online, but will be available soon.
Fans can find all of Bandai’s Studio Ghibli offerings here.
