A Studio Ghibli Theme Park is Coming in 2022

Fans of animated classics like Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke and Kiki&rsquos Delivery Service are in for a treat. Studio Ghibli, the production house beloved by movie-goers around the globe, has announced that it will be opening a theme park honouring the legacy of its most famous works. Originally slated for a 2020 launch, the company now plans to unveil the park by 2022. The location The Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute, Nagoya, home of the 2005&rsquos World Fair. What makes things more exciting, is news that Ghibli frontman and director Hayao Miyazaki is likely supervising its look. 

Ever since the news made headlines, netizens have been speculating about the visual gems that could populate the park. But Studio Ghibli&mdashwhose 2D films evoke a deep sense of childlike wonder, nostalgia and enjoying the little things&mdashhas remained mostly tight-lipped. The Aichi Park already houses a life-sized recreation of Mei and Satsuki&rsquos house from My Neighbour Totoro, and reports say that the new park could be up to 500 acres in size. One website&nbspsays that that construction will avoid any deforestation, in keeping with Miyazaki&rsquos profound respect for the natural world.

There will be no roller coasters or water slides. Instead, rides and buildings will likely be based on popular Ghibli works such as Totoro, Spirited Away and Howl&rsquos Moving Castle. Broadly, the park is supposed to have three zones. These are the &lsquoGhibli Large Warehouse&rsquo, featuringindoor spaces with a play area for children, a theatre, cafes and shops the vast &lsquoDondoko Forest&rsquo area, surrounding the pre-existing Totoro house and inspired by the ShÅÂwa era under emperor Hirohito and the &lsquoHill of Youth&rsquo area, with 19th-century architectural elements. 

Two other zones are expected to open by 2023. These are &lsquoMononoke's Village&rsquo, with reproductions of the film&rsquos forges and settlements, and a &lsquoWitches' Valley&rsquo that will pay homage to both Howl&rsquos nomadic home and Kiki&rsquos Okino residence in one magical realm. The basic plans also project the park to have lush forest trails, European-style brick buildings (seen in many Ghibli films) and whimsical installations to evoke the mystical natural heritage seen in their filmverse. 

Studio Ghibli already runs a hugely-successful art museum in Mitaka, west of Tokyo. The park&mdashif it stays true to the vision of Miyazaki and his talented animators&mdashis likely to become a titan in the world of film and anime tourism.