SORA NEWS


 

New collection will keep you cool with friends from My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Spirited Away.

Just last week, Japan’s Donguri Kyowakoku (“Acorn Republic”) retail chain, which sells official merchandise from Studio Ghibli, announced they would be bringing out a range of unique glassware for summer.

Now, the summer merchandise range will be expanding to include even more new items, and these ones are designed to keep us cool during the warmer months, with folding fans and a gorgeous Edo furin wind chime in store for fans.

Let’s take a look at all the items in the new release, starting with the new folding fan collection. Donguri Kyowakoku’s Ghibli fans from last summer were a big hit, but this year, there are four brand new designs to choose from, featuring the magical worlds of some of the anime studio’s most beloved characters.

There’s the My Neighbour Totoro Smiling Flower Fireworks, which shows Totoro and the Catbus enjoying a fireworks display reminiscent of chrysanthemums from their forest home.

▼ Each fan comes with a unique pendant adorned with one of the characters from the film.


 

The My Neighbour Totoro Fashionable Flower Design shows Totoro and friends playing in the summer sunshine, with a floral pattern reminiscent of the designs used on traditional children’s toys.

 

The Kiki’s Delivery Service Lemon Design shows Kiki’s magical black cat Jiji surrounded by lemons and lemon flowers, to provide a sense of fresh refreshment during summer’s hottest days.

 

Rounding off the collection is the Spirited Away Japanese Lantern fan, which has No Face gazing out at the lanterns seen in the magical world of Spirited Away.
 

▼ This design even comes with a No Face lantern pendant!




▼ The fans measure 21 centimetres (8.3 inches) in radius, and are priced at 2,980 yen (US$28) each.


 

If you’d like to keep your Ghibli folding fans in pristine condition, you’ll want to add one of these three cloth covers to your shopping basket, priced at 1,000 yen each.

 

And last but not least is the My Neighbour Totoro Fireworks Edo Furin (3,800 yen). Edo furin are traditional Japanese wind bells, which are usually made from glass, and give off a lovely high-pitched ring, which is said to cool you down when you hear it. This one comes with an extra dose of cuteness, with the addition of Totoro above an explosion of fireworks.

 

All these new items are currently available to purchase online and in-store at Donguri Kyowakoku branches around the country. And if you prefer to cool down with a refreshing beverage on a summer’s day, you might want to enjoy a glass of Ghibli iced tea by shopping for these Totoro and Jiji tea blends too!