On March 8, the Little Tokyo Flea Market hosted one of its most anticipated themed events: Ghibli Day. Held at the Little Tokyo Galleria, Ghibli Day commemorated the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki, a Japanese animator and filmmaker.
The studio has produced many critically acclaimed movies under his direction, two of which won the Oscars for Best Animated Feature: “Spirited Away” and “The Boy and the Heron.”
Dustitoffvintage’s mirror display featuring Studio Ghibli standees. (Photo by Gabrielle Dela Cueva)
The market featured many trinkets and foods inspired by the studio’s works. Keychains with ocean charms for “Ponyo,” sugar cookies with Kaonashi for “Spirited Away” and drinks with rose petals for “The Secret World of Arrietty” were offered by vendors to spread appreciation for the world of Studio Ghibli. Accessories were also put on display, many of them handcrafted.
“All my products are handmade. They’re all made with polymer glue or cream glue, which is made out of silicone and a little bit of oil paint,” said Amelly Kim, a vendor selling Studio Ghibli deco clips.
Amelly Kim posing with her booth of handmade accessories. (Photo by Gabrielle Dela Cueva)
In addition to accessories, there were also apparel and bags. Many of them had designs reminiscent of the movies from the studio, such as embroidered designs of Totoro from “My Neighbor Totoro.”
“I have an industrial embroidery machine, so it took a while to make,” said Tyler Hildebrand, a vendor selling embroidered bags and T-shirts. “But I thought about the movies that really made me feel the most emotion and tried to replicate them in my designs to convey a similar feeling.”
Tyler Hildebrand standing behind her booth of embroidered clothes. (Photo by Gabrielle Dela Cueva)
Not only did the vendors express their appreciation for Studio Ghibli through creative means, but the attendees did as well.
Some sported Ghibli-themed accessories such as giant red ribbons and claw clips to recognize the cheerful witch-protagonist, Kiki, from “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” and the adventurous borrower, Arietty, from “The Secret World of Arietty.” Others dressed like tiny, adorable creatures, an aspect the studio is known for implementing into their movies to emphasize the enchanting nature of their worlds.
“We made the outfits,” attendee Courtney Acosta said. “The flyer said you can dress up, so I wanted to dress up as the little Soot Sprites since I like them.”
Courtney Acosta and her family cosplaying as soots from Spirited Away. (Photo by Gabrielle Dela Cueva)
The event also included a pop-up concert. Led by San Gabriel Valley Symphony, nostalgic tunes such as “One Summer Day” from “Spirited Away” and “A Town with an Ocean View” from “Kiki’s Delivery Service” were performed, honoring Joe Hisaishi, a Japanese composer best known for his classical and folk-influenced soundtracks for the studio.
San Gabriel Valley Symphony’s performing various Studio Ghibli songs. (Photo by Gabrielle Dela Cueva)
The vendors’ passions, the attendees’ enthusiasm and the events’ immersion all conveyed how, even four decades after the studio’s founding, its imaginative yet grounded storytelling continues to capture people’s hearts.
“I really love Studio Ghibli,” attendee Jacqueline Marquez said. “Especially because Hayao Miyazaki uses his animation to tell stories about nature, humanity and war. Especially war, because he grew up in a time of one. The movies share his meaning of the world, which includes life experiences.”
Jacqueline Martinez and their friend pose for a picture among the crowds. (Photo by Gabrielle Dela Cueva)
Till the very end of the event, the halls of the galleria remained bustling, demonstrating the long-lasting impact animated stories concerned with the human experience can leave.
“Studio Ghibli means to me something about romanticizing your childhood and how that part of you will always be inside of you, even if you can’t see it,” said Cindy Bui, a friend assisting at vendor Matt’s Pocket.