Studio Ghibli has uplifted and inspired countless viewers with fantasy anime that are as imaginative as they are moving. Recently, four iconic features from this lineup were honored with a revival of Ghibli’s official “film” mini-towel collection.
While Ghibli’s online storefront, Donguri Sora, has released dozens of anime-inspired mini towels, this particular collection draws influence from the design of physical film reels. Accordingly, the upper and lower borders on each towel are lined with black material and the classic “sprocket holes” that are found on real-life filmstrips. Additionally, each mini towel references an iconic scene and quote from one of Ghibli’s many critically acclaimed flicks.
Readers can check out the official images below.
Studio Ghibli’s Official Movie Reel Towel Collection Returns With Kiki, Princess Mononoke & More
Castle in the Sky — Ghibli’s first official release — is an anti-war anime about two children named Pazu and Sheeta who embark on a voyage to track down the mythical floating island of Laputa. The “Balus film” mini towel recreates the climactic moment when the two young heroes utter the spell that ultimately saves Laputa from the villainous Colonel Muska. As with the other towels, the film’s towel is also embroidered in English on the bottom right-hand corner.
Released in 1989, Kiki’s Delivery Service is Ghibli’s iconic coming-of-age tale about a 13-year-old witch who soldiers through many of the challenges that come with life in modern society. The “Jiji film” handkerchief depicts a despondent-looking Kiki sitting with her talking cat, Jiji, while on cashier duty at her friend’s bakery. The poignant quote embroidered above Kiki’s head originates from a letter that the heroine sends to her parents at the end of the film: “There are still times when I feel sad, but all in all, I sure love this town.”
A lesser-known gem in Ghibli’s film library, Porco Rosso tells the story of Marco Rossolini, an ex-WWI fighter pilot who is cursed with the face of a pig. Instead of searching for a cure, he essentially shrugs it off while pursuing an adventurous life as a bounty hunter in the Adriatic. The “Film Porco” handkerchief depicts Marco flying his iconic red seaplane and giving a thumbs-up. The front is also embroidered with his memorable catchphrase, “A pig’s gotta fly.”
Released in 1997, Princess Mononoke personifies the eternal strife between man and nature. San — a human girl raised by wolves — fights to protect her forest from humans who see clearing it as the only means to their continued prosperity. The “film San” handkerchief features an intricately embroidered image of San astride the back of one of her wolf brothers. The quote “Live, you are beautiful” is uttered by Mononoke’s protagonist, Ashitaka, when he speaks to San for the first time.
Including tax, the listed price for each handkerchief is 880 yen (~US$5.43). While Donguri Sora does not offer overseas shipping, Ghibli products are readily available through international online retailers such as Sugoi Mart and Meccha Japan. Notably, Donguri Republic also opened its first-ever pop-up location in the U.S. on June 23, 2026. Located in Torrance, CA, this shop boasts a collection of over 400 Ghibli-licensed products. The shop is scheduled to remain open for the remainder of 2026.
Depending on the viewer’s geographical location, Studio Ghibli’s films are available on Netflix or Max.
