Today: September 29, 2026

An Unofficial Guide To The World of Studio Ghibli

Whether you dream of riding on a dragon’s back like Chihiro, catching the Catbus with Mei, or living in a moving castle with the wizard Howl, this book will show you Studio Ghibli’s most beloved characters and films.

Why not dress up with Kiki and Pazu, cook ramen with Ponyo, or make your very own animated soot sprite? The magic is just a train ride away…

From the creators of the podcast and acclaimed book Ghibliotheque, this Unofficial Guide is aimed at ages 7+, giving young fans a glimpse into one of the most exciting and influential film studios in animation history.

Across eight chapters, readers will meet strong and relatable heroes, get to know wild and magical creatures, taste mouthwatering food (and learn how to make it), travel via fast and fantastical modes of transport, and learn about the beauty of nature. They will also learn everything you need to know about who’s who at the Oscar-winning studio, discover the beautiful country of Japan, and explore the inspiration that Ghibli draws from the world around.

If Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro , Ponyo, and Kiki’s Delivery Service are your bag, then this book is a short and sweet guide to everything Ghibli has to offer. Inside readers will find a mixture of background information, trivia, film stills, recipes, quizzes, and even cosplay tips.

An Unofficial Guide to the World of Studio Ghibli (ISBN: 9781803381220) is written by Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham, and illustrated by Lucy Zhang. It will be available to buy in hardback, from children’s publisher Hachette, from 31st August, priced £12.99. 

Main image: Spirited Away (Credit: Studio Ghibli)

Paula Hammond - Features Editor

Paula Hammond is a full-time, freelance journalist. She regularly writes for more magazines than is healthy and has over 25 books to her credit. When not frantically scribbling, she can be found indulging her passions for film, theatre, cult TV, sci-fi and real ale. If you should spot her in the pub, after five rounds rapid, she’ll be the one in the corner mumbling Ghostbusters quotes and waiting for the transporter to lock on to her signal… Email: writerpaula@icloud.com

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