Studio Ghibli has donated over 120 rare production artifacts to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, marking the first time the legendary animation studio has gifted such materials to an external institution. The donation includes original Japanese release posters, artboards, and key animation drawings from the 2008 film 'Ponyo,' which were revealed to be hand-drawn by Hayao Miyazaki himself. These items are currently featured in the museum's new interactive exhibition, 'Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo.'
This acquisition is a significant milestone for the preservation of hand-drawn animation, a medium Studio Ghibli has championed as it becomes increasingly rare in the digital age. By securing these 'precious and rare' materials for the Margaret Herrick Library, the Academy Museum cements its long-term partnership with the studio and ensures that Miyazaki’s creative process remains accessible for scholarly study and public appreciation in North America.