Step inside The World of Studio Ghibli in Singapore and rediscover its charming cinematic universe in this exhibition at ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands.
Review: The World of Studio Ghibli
As a Ghibli fan, this exhibition was a very enjoyable journey of rediscovery. It’s not one of those “behind the scenes” exhibitions where you can view sketches, animation cels, or watch videos on how the films were made. Rather, it is similar to the Ghibli Park in Japan, where visitors are to immerse themselves in 3D worlds that recreate some of the key moments from the films.
The main highlight is to see theatrical sets where you can walk in and take photos with – from the interiors of Howl’s Moving Castle, to the rainy scene in My Neighbour Totoro, or even Yubaba’s office in Spirited Away. Smaller art installations along the way, from intricate miniature scenes to hand-written letters, showcase the art and soul of the Ghibli films. Iconic music from the films, including several scored by Joe Hisaishi, can be heard throughout all the scenes.
There are some parts that looked rough – such as transition areas between the theatrical set, some of which are poorly scaled-up illustrations from film stills. Granted, there’s likely no new artwork developed specially for this exhibition, but the drop in quality is jarring. I am also surprised at the large area for Kiki’s Delivery Service, compared to just one gallery for Princess Mononoke, and that Ponyo and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind had little to show. Grave of the Fireflies was also not exhibited, but it might be too sensitive and sad to recreate it.
With the buzz and wide appeal, this is also one of ArtScience Museum’s most popular exhibitions, so prepare for crowds and waiting time during peak periods like holidays and weekends – especially for the photo spots. Tickets are sold on a timed-entry basis, so “>book ahead of your visit to avoid disappointment.
Video Tour: The World of Studio Ghibli
Follow along a walkthrough tour around ArtScience Museum in this video tour of The World of Studio Ghibli
Ticketing Info for The World of Studio Ghibli
Book your tickets now via Klook, the official ticketing partner for this event. It is important to book ahead as you need to pick an entry timeslot, and same-day tickets may be sold out at the museum.
Concession rates are available for seniors aged above 65, students, and children between ages 2 to 12. This works out to be a $5 discount across all ticket types, whether it’s peak/non-peak, tourist or local resident. Children above the age of 13 will be charged the same rate as adults.
Family Packages are also available (bundle of 2 adult and 2 child tickets) via any of the Klook links below.
| Exhibition Ticket | Starting Price (Adult/ Concession) |
|---|---|
| The World of Studio Ghibli (Local Residents) Prices shown are for Non-Peak Days (Mondays – Thursdays) |
$29/ 24 Book via Klook » |
| The World of Studio Ghibli (Local Residents) PEAK Prices shown are for Peak Days (Fridays – Sundays) |
$39/ 34 Book via Klook » |
| The World of Studio Ghibli (Tourists) Prices shown are for Non-Peak Days (Mondays – Thursdays) |
$39/ 34 Book via Klook » |
| The World of Studio Ghibli (Tourists) PEAK Prices shown are for Peak Days (Fridays – Sundays) |
$49/ 44 Book via Klook » |
Photo Tour: The World of Studio Ghibli
The exhibition takes place across 2 levels at ArtScience Museum, and is designed to start from the Basement 2, with the second part at Level 3. Here is a rundown of the films’ locations:
Basement 2: Howl’s Moving Castle, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbour Totoro
Level 3: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, The Boy and the Heron, Porco Rosso, Pom Poko, Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, Exhibition Shop
Howl’s Moving Castle
After walking through the exhibition’s introduction gallery which features movie posters and biographies of Toshio Suzuki, Hayao Miyazaki, and Isao Takahata, the first installation is an animated scene of Howl’s Moving Castle moving around a large open field.
The castle interior set features Howl, Markl, Sophie and Calcifer.
As you make your way out of Howl’s Castle and into Kingsbury and the Royal Palace, there is an immersive, 360-degree installation showing Howl’s Secret Garden.
Laputa: Castle in the Sky
In the Castle in the Sky area, see the iconic Levitating Sheeta scene, along with scenes of the protagonists escaping.
Throughout the exhibition, there are some of these installations that use trompe l’oeil with sculptures to bring iconic 2D scenes into a more “3D experience”.
The larger installations in the exhibition are impressive, including one that offers a bird’s eye view of Laputa (using mirrors).
You can also walk around this dynamic scene where Pazu rescues Sheeta.
My Neighbour Totoro
My Neighbour Totoro starts off with a trail of susuwatari (soot sprites) leading you to another scene of Mei and Satsuki running towards the “haunted house”.
Echoing the film, the path leads you through a forest, where you can find a big, sleeping Totoro.
Join the iconic scene in the rain as you pick up the red umbrella and stand together with the trio.
This is one of the most popular photo spots and the queue may extend to other parts of the gallery. There is no need to join the line if you do not wish to take a photo here.
Hold your tears back as you read one of Satsuki’s handwritten letters to her Mother.
To be continued at Level 3
The second half of the exhibition is at Level 3, and you can follow the Totoro paw prints on the floor to the lifts, which are redecorated to resemble the ones in Spirited Away’s Bathhouse.
Upon arrival, the first area is a combined showcase for The Boy and the Heron and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.
Porco Rosso
In Porco Rossoarea, several plane exhibits and a scene of Marco Pagot (Porco Rosso) relaxing on a beach are showcased.
Pom Poko
Step inside a garden and into the abandoned Manpuku Temple building to explore the world of Pom Poko.
It’s a humble abode inside, with Okiyo and Shoukichi here that you can take pictures with.
In one of the interactive exhibits, you can spin through the transformations (and witness how Ponkichi is unable to transform).
Princess Mononoke
Enter the world of Princess Mononoke: Walk past a quick showcase of Ishibiya hand cannons and then right into a dense forest scene with Ashitaka and Yakul surrounded by Kodamas. The short animated segment that plays occasionally reveals the Shishigami (also known as the Forest Spirit, or Deer God) behind the screen.
On the other side of the gallery stands San and her wolf siblings.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
You’ll not forget to take photos of Kiki waiting inside Gütiokipänjä bakery. This is one of the three galleries in the massive Kiki’s Delivery Service area.
The second area is where Kiki is flying over the city, with Tombo chasing after her. In this gallery there is also a photo spot where you can recreate the scene of Kiki rescuing Tombo falling from the Airship.
After all that excitement, the next area is where you can ride Tombo’s bicycle for a fun photo op, see Jiji together with Lily and their kittens, and read another heart-warming, handwritten letter from Kiki to her parents.
Spirited Away
Spirited Away is clearly the most favoured film in the whole exhibition, with perhaps the most impressive 3D installation in the exhibition: Chihiro standing on the bridge leading to Yubaba’s Bathhouse, where most of the film takes place.
Here’s how it actually looks like from afar.
Beside that iconic scene is an artwork showing how the deserted town in the spirit realm comes to life at night.
Continuing on into the Bathhouse (sort of), is another activity area in a space inspired by Kamaji’s boiler room. You can make your own soot sprite cards here to bring home.
Witness the wrath of Yubaba (and the dramatic flying papers, or enchanted contracts – one particular has Chihiro’s name on it).
In another impressive set, No-Face is feasting uncontrollably in the Bathhouse – with two local dishes added just for the exhibition. Can you tell what are they?
The exhibition ends off with the most recognisable photo spot and one of the most famous scenes in Spirited Away: The train ride to Swamp Bottom where Chihiro sits beside No-Face. Now it is your turn.
The World of Studio Ghibli Exhibition Shop
The exhibition has ended, but now you have entered the Shopping World of Studio Ghibli.
From puzzles, plush toys, books and stationery, there are perhaps nearly hundreds of items that you can buy here across all the Ghibli films featured and even those that are not. The prices seem to be on the higher side compared to those in Japan. However, there is no other place in Singapore offering such a wide range of products, including some that are exclusive to the exhibition.
For collectors, The World of Studio Ghibli T-Shirts are available at S$30 each.
The shop also has similarly branded Eco bags for sale, at S$6 for the Medium and S$8 for large. The bags feature a green, forest-like design with the exhibition title.
These skirts with Ghibli characters woven into a Peranakan-style design are stunning, and available at S$128 each.
There is a wide selection of bags and pouches, but prepare to pay a premium to get them now.
The World of Studio Ghibli Event Details
From 4 October 2024 to 2 February 2025
ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands
Book your tickets now via Klook, an official ticketing partner for this event.
Purchases made via the affiliate links will help support Dejiki.com at no extra cost to you. Just click on the links above and proceed with your booking by selecting from available package options.
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