BENELIC, the Japanese company operating the official Studio Ghibli specialty store "Donguri Republic," is celebrating the 20th anniversary of "Spirited Away" with a series of commemorative merchandise. Following releases like the "No-Face Munching Coin Bank" and the "SEIKO Commemorative Watch," they've now unveiled the first wave of new items, including "The Witch's Contract Seal" and the "Guiding Lantern (道案内のカンテラ)!" Priced at 8,800 JPY, pre-orders opened on July 22, 2021, at Japan's Donguri Republic online store, donguri-sora, with shipments expected in late December.
Studio Ghibli's highest-grossing film, "Spirited Away" (千と千尋の神隠し), directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, premiered in Japan in 2001 and won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003. The story follows ten-year-old Chihiro Ogino and her parents as they get lost and stumble into the spirit world, embarking on a fantastical journey through the mysterious bathhouse. Beyond its stunning visuals and moving soundtrack, the film's rich character designs, including Haku, No-Face, and Yubaba, along with its underlying allegories, remain beloved topics among fans.
▼ The constantly hopping Guiding Lantern is incredibly polite~
▼ The lantern even waves goodbye enthusiastically as Chihiro and Haku depart!
In the film, as Chihiro journeys to Zeniba's home to return the witch's contract seal and save Haku, she encounters a hand-shaped, hopping Guiding Lantern that leads her way. Though the lantern's screen time is brief and it might seem inconspicuous compared to other characters, it serves as a heartwarming presence, illuminating the path in the dark. This time, the "Guiding Lantern" has been faithfully recreated as a night light. Its design is fully restored, with the small candle presented in a hanging style that can be removed or allowed to sway naturally. The candle flame even flickers with movement, perfectly replicating the scene from the movie! Additionally, the base features a luxurious velvet stand commemorating "Spirited Away's" 20th anniversary, adding a special touch of remembrance!
Spirited Away: Guiding Lantern
Size: Approximately W110 x H290 x D140mm
Suggested Retail Price: 8,800 JPY (Tax Included)
Estimated Release Date: December 2021
▼ Stay tuned for the second wave of "Spirited Away" 20th Anniversary commemorative merchandise!
via： donguri-sora