Bonsai Water Features Based on Studio Ghibli Films “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “Spirited Away”

By Trevor Fillers Last updated Dec 27, 2022

Studio Ghibli’s merchandise is always a hit. The newest addition to the line, which already includes backpacks, clothing, and foldable fans, are bonsai fountains that will transform your home into a fanciful world as the one Hayao Miyazaki has imagined.

The popular characters from three of the most adored films from the Japanese studio, primarily My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away, are shown in the bonsai fountains, which are nothing short of charming. With the option of USB power, all of the fountains are battery-operated. They also have two settings: one that, when engaged by voice, releases water from the fountain for five minutes, and the other that permits the water to flow constantly.

The first bonsai fountain includes a scene from My Neighbor Totoro that is easily recognizable. When Mei and her older sister Satsuki are waiting for their father to board the bus, Totoro makes an appearance at the bus stop scene. Mei can be seen in this photo wearing a light blue raincoat as Totoro stands next to her. It does not include Satsuki.

Water will fall from the tree when it is turned on or the voice is actuated, simulating rain as seen in the movie. Two designs from the collection were influenced by the well-liked 1997 Princess Mononoke movie. The first of the two pictures shows a scene from the movie that takes place in a forest and shows a forest spirit known as Shishigami (Deer God) standing on a body of water. A number of Kodama ghosts, some of which can be seen standing by the tree while others are taking pleasure in a soft trickle of water within a hollowed-out tree trunk, are planted all around Shishigami.

Shishigami is not staring straight forward in the second design; instead, she is gazing up at the sky. Its antlers have also changed into the Nightwalker’s semi-translucent spikes, which is the appearance it assumes at night as depicted in the film. This limited edition model’s Kodama spirits have a unique characteristic not found in the other designs: they shine in the dark.

The most recent design was influenced by the enduringly popular Spirited Away film. In this model, No Face is depicted filling a Japanese water fountain called a soju, which is often found in Japanese gardens. The bird and Boh, Yubaba’s child, are perched over No Face. For 17,600 yen (US$132.74), all of the fountains are sold at Donguri Kyowakoku locations in Japan.