By Studio Ghibli is responsible for some of the most beloved anime, including feature films like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Castle in the Sky. If you’re a big Ghibli fan or know someone who is, there are a few upcoming books that should be on your radar. Here’s a look at a handful of books currently up for preorder, including an omnibus of the hard-to-find Kiki’s Delivery Service comic and an art book detailing the creation of the memorable landmarks in the Studio Ghibli library.
$30
The Kiki’s Delivery Service Film Comic: All-In-One Edition is the most expansive upcoming book, clocking in at 584 pages. This omnibus collects all four volumes of the previously released comic series. These books aren’t easy to find in new condition and often sell for a lot higher prices than this omnibus (even in paperback form). Getting all four volumes in one convenient book for $30 is a nice deal. Once you preorder, you’ll lock in Amazon’s price guarantee, so you’ll get the book for the lowest price Amazon offers until your order ships.
The comic tells the story of Kiki as she (accompanied by her black cat, Jiji) heads out to a seaside village and tries to learn how to become a witch. This hardcover book releases September 24.
$35
Architecture in Animation provides a firsthand look at how Studio Ghibli built the worlds of Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, and other films in the studio’s catalog. Specifically, the book features concept art, sketches, and commentary from artists. Featuring 192 pages of behind-the-scenes content, it sounds like a great book for dedicated Ghibli fans. It releases on October 22 in hardcover format and costs $35.
If you can’t wait until the second half of 2024 to get your hands on Studio Ghibli books, consider looking at Howl’s Moving Castle Sketchbook and Castle in the Sky Journal. Both are up for preorder, with release dates scheduled for March 5.
The former is a cloth-bound sketchbook with 128 pages, while the latter is a paperback volume filled with art and concept images of the iconic film. Howl’s Moving Castle Sketchbook costs $20 and Castle in the Sky Journal is just $13–making it the cheapest Studio Ghibli book up for preorder.
Aside from books, Studio Ghibli has a massive merch store that includes everything from home décor to toys and games. Consider giving it a look if you need something stylish for your home office–the Totoro Accessory Box is a particular standout. A similar accessory box is available for Jiji and Howl’s Castle. All three of these accessory boxes release July 1 and cost $27.
Of course, you’ll also find plenty of Studio Ghibli films up for grabs. Here’s a look at both the limited-edition steelbooks and Blu-ray deals to help round out your collection. Note that some of these are included in Amazon’s B1G1 50% off promotion, making this a great way to check out the films without dropping a ton of cash.
