Studio Ghibli’s New 550‑Page Artbook Packs 844 Stunning Background Paintings — Out Now
Studio Ghibli has a new artbook out now, and it’s all about the backgrounds that build the studio’s worlds. The book collects hundreds of background paintings from the studio’s theatrical films, and it’s available from several retailers today.
What’s in the book
The title is Painting the Worlds of Studio Ghibli, and it runs to over 550 pages. Moreover, the publisher says the book features 844 representative pieces drawn from the thousands of backgrounds created for each feature film. In short, you get a large sweep of backgrounds, composed and reproduced for print, showing brushwork, color, perspective, and light.
Who picked the art
Art director Yoji Takeshige supervised the selection. Takeshige first worked as a background artist on My Neighbor Totoro, and later served as art director on films such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle. The book includes an introduction that says, “These pages offer a glimpse into techniques that bring depth and life to these cherished cinematic worlds, quietly revealing mastery of brushwork, color, perspective, and the delicate balance of light and shadow.” The quote appears exactly as printed in the book.
Featured films
The collection covers classic and recent theatrical releases. For example, you will find backgrounds from Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. Likewise, newer entries such as Earwig and the Witch and The Boy and the Heron are included as well.
About the selection
The book’s pieces were “handpicked from the thousands of backgrounds created for each feature film,” according to the publisher. Therefore, the collection is a curated look rather than a complete archive.
Where to buy
Painting the Worlds of Studio Ghibli is on sale now at Bookshop.org and at Barnes & Noble, among other retailers.
