First held back in 2008, the Studio Ghibli Layout Designs Exhibition showcased an extensive collection of original layout boards used during the production of Ghibli’s animated films and was one of the best art exhibitions I’ve ever seen, period. ( see this post from 2008 ).
The reason I’m re-visiting this post is because Ghibli Studios has been dutifully updating the catalog with additional layouts from every feature film they’ve released since the exhibition, like The Tale Of Princess Kaguya ( below ). As such, the book is now quite a bit thicker than when it was first released back in 2008, during which Ponyo was released.
The exhibition catalog is one of the best Ghibli art books ever released, because it covers every major ( and some minor ) anime that the studio has released and really highlights the extensive visual artistry of the films.
Layout boards from From Up On Poppy Hill (above) and The Wind Rises ( below ) are some of the latest additions to the already jumbo sized book.
The catalog is usually only available from the bookstore located inside the Ghibli Museum, but sellers on Amazon Japan and Amazon.com do carry them too.
I should mention at this juncture that there are different editions on sale and the sellers do not always indicate which edition it is. That said, even a copy of the earliest edition is packed full of the wonders of Ghibli’s anime art.
“Ghibli Layout Designs Exhibition Catalog 2014 スタジオジブリ・レイアウト展 図録” details :
– Dimensions – 11.6 x 8.9 x 1 inches
– Softcover, 460 pages ( 2014 edition )
– Full color, in Japanese ( book contains mostly images )
Buy From Amazon.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon FR Amazon IT | Amazon DE | Amazon ES
You might also be interested in these items :
Studio Ghibli Layout Designs Exhibition Part II
Studio Ghibli Layout Designs Exhibition Part I
Studio Ghibli Layout Exhibition – A Preview
Studio Ghibli Structures Exhibition Catalog Book Review
Studio Ghibli Structures Exhibition
March 22nd, 2015 at 7:13 am
I read elsewhere that there was a newer edition with more pages and a slightly different cover that came out at the French Ghibli exhibition called “Dessins du Studio Ghibli”. I didn’t know they were updating the catalogue for the Japanese edition. I wish it was easier to differentiate and buy the new one. 🙁
March 22nd, 2015 at 9:10 am
F – Yes unfortunately it is impossible to know just by looking at the cover. :[
April 21st, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Wow. These layouts are so great for studies. Will definitely find this, or a more updated one in the future. Nice review!
April 23rd, 2015 at 11:28 pm
Ral – Glad you enjoyed it ! The book is amazing. :]