Hayao Miyazaki Draws Special Art for the Year of the Snake

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Summary

  • Studio Ghibli celebrates 2025 with a special Year of the Snake artwork by Miyazaki with whimsy and fantasy.
  • The Studio thanks fans for support, reflects on 2024’s earthquakes, and announces successes and plans for 2025.
  • Ghibli Park expands, new projects are underway, and Miyazaki will resume work on his 84th birthday.

2025 has rolled around, and folks worldwide are ringing in the New Year with their own distinctive flair! In Japan, the Chinese Zodiac takes center stage as we usher in a new year, and this time it’s the Year of the Snake. As I look around, there’s no scarcity of serpentine symbols gracing New Year’s festivities across the land!

The festivities for The Year of the Snake have reached even the realm of anime, and it’s not just any figure who has contributed. Hayao Miyazaki, one of the world-renowned co-founders of Studio Ghibli, has created a distinctive piece of art. Offering his personal interpretation of the Year of the Snake, Miyazaki unveiled this new artwork on the official Studio Ghibli website on New Year’s Day, along with a heartfelt message.

A Special Snake by Hayao Miyazaki

A Silly, Original Piece of Art

Studio Ghibli shared a special New Year’s greeting on January 1st, crafted by Hayao Miyazaki himself. Continuing a long-standing tradition, this year’s artwork features Miyazaki’s distinctive hand-drawn style with the Chinese Zodiac animal of the year – in this case, a snake. The piece includes the question “How are you?” at the top and “Wishing you well again this year” below, along with the words “GHIBLI” and “2025” subtly integrated into the design.

The depicted creature isn’t your typical serpent; instead, it retains an element of enchantment and fable. It boasts no less than eight heads, which is quite extraordinary. In the artwork, you can also spot its tail adorned with a snail and a mouse perched on it. Hayao Miyazaki is renowned for creating memorable characters such as Totoro, Ponyo, and No Face, and his unique style is unmistakable. Although this snake appears slightly rugged and playful compared to his usual sketches, its essence undeniably echoes that of a Miyazaki creation – just a quicker, more casual interpretation of his artistry.

A Message from Studio Ghibli to Fans

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year

Alongside the artwork, you’ll find a heartfelt message from our studio. This message looks ahead to when we will resume work, acknowledges our past achievements in the year gone by, and also reminds us of the events that took place in 2024. The note begins by extending New Year greetings to everyone and expressing gratitude for your unwavering support. It then recounts the devastating earthquakes in Ishikawa Prefecture on January 1st, 2024, which caused numerous casualties. Studio Ghibli wishes for a more peaceful beginning to 2025 and sends its thoughts to those who were impacted last year.

A significant portion of the message to fans centers around the achievements of the studio over the last year and its future plans for the upcoming year. (Translated from Japanese)

Studio Ghibli has nearly completed the global release of “The Boy and the Heron,” a film that not only attracted numerous viewers but also garnered multiple awards. We are excited to inform you that other exhibitions and upcoming projects are in the works, which we hope will meet your high expectations. The second phase of Ghibli Park has successfully opened, and now all five areas have been completed as originally planned. This year, our goal is to continue improving and enhancing our facilities and operations for an even better experience.

The film titled “The Boy and the Heron” has been extremely popular since its debut, making it no wonder that Studio Ghibli is focusing on promoting this particular movie. To wrap up, they have announced they will resume production on January 6th, which happens to be Miyazaki’s birthday – a significant day as he turns 84 years old! As previously reported, there are no signs of him slowing down his work anytime soon.

2025 might not reveal specifics about Studio Ghibli’s upcoming projects, but it seems they’re gearing up for an exciting year ahead. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the announcement of their next movie in the near future, which will undoubtedly bring joy to fans. Until then, there’s a steady stream of fresh merchandise and collaborations to explore, and the Ghibli Park keeps expanding annually, offering new experiences every time.

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2025-01-06 21:23