Of the Ghibli Museum and Frames for Sale

Shorter one.

Because.

I’m speechless. Pictures weren’t allowed inside, (only outside, with the Laputa robot) and there’s no way to describe the actual experience. I doubt pictures would have done well anyway. I cried for probably the first half hour, it was that amazing. But man, I hate being emotional. I was shaky at first, and when I saw the 3D zoetrope of the Totoro scene, that’s where I lost it.

The short film I got to see was pretty much a sequel to My Neightbor Totoro, regarding the cat busses. I don’t know what was better, getting to see a film that would never be published and sold, or that fact my ticket is three frames of authentic filmstrip from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

Spent about $100 on books and two kodama. (Layouts of general Ghibli films [probably all the SCAD students bought one] and the entirety of the storyboards for Totoro and Mononoke.) I realize now I should have bought an animation book for my mentor back at ACCAD, and I’m plotting on how to get back to Nakano Broadway to find another one.

Nakano Broadway is where we went afterwards. I was far too tired to enjoy it completely, not to mention I was probably carrying 50 pounds worth of Miyazaki merchandise. Went to conveyer belt sushi. Wanted the squid but decided against it since I was still queasy from the sheer joy of being at Ghibli.

Later I followed Jason up to I think the third floor of the mall- action figures, animation frames, and cels. SO shocked. Animation is so popular and prolific here that malls will sell frames for as little as 500 yen to adoring fans. I found quite a few animes I recognized. Cels from Tenchi Muyo and Cowboy Bebop were my favored jewels of the day (not to mention the Ghibli ones scattered around in prize cabinets). The latter were far too expensive (price goes up with popularity) but I’m interested in a layout frame of Wasshu from Tenchi that I might snatch if I come back. Also found a stack of the character designs for DNAngel, but I like the comic better so I managed to pry myself away.

Ah, a note regarding Xuco and Andy. Yes, I found Knights of the Zodiac cels and frames. They were like 60,000 yen. Actually everything I’ve found from that series is mint condition collectors quality stuff that I can’t possibly afford. I wanted to get something for them, but they’d have to split the action figures.

I missed out on the bookstore that everyone got such amazing stuff. I have to come back!

Despite the missed opportunities, coming back to Ginza (where the hotel is) was a wash of relief. Had a snack at McDonalds for the first time here, and wow. Different. Of course it was expected. Main observations about it were that while McDonalds in the US has a ‘poster child’ staff member, with immaculate uniform and always smiling, it’s really never seen. Japanese McDonalds gives you that dream world only found in the ads. Clean restaurant, perfectly uniformed, and broadly smiling people. It was a little unnerving, actually. I felt like I was in some color version of Pleasantville in an oriental setting.

Wasn’t all perfect though, as I noticed they were poking fun at myself and the guy I was with when we turned to leave. I’m not insulted at all, really. Being an American here… it’s just asking for it. I’d like to laugh along if I knew what faults they were pointing out. I’d like to see what the Japanese find funny about me. I’d probably find it amusing too.