Marisa LaScala |
The cuddliest character in all of the Ghibli canon has got to be the big Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro. If you know someone, young or old, whose always wanted to give the big guy a squish, there’s no better than this ultra-fluffy plush which, at five and a half inches, is just the right size to hold in one hand. For huge fans, there’s also a Catbus Plush to go with it.
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If a Spirited Away fan puts coins in No Face’s dish, the bank plays a little tune, tips the dish upward and No Face eats the money. “It’s both fun and creepy seeing the money disappear,” says Contributing Editor Shanon Maglente. “This bank uses AA batteries, so it’ll last you a long time.”
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Studio Ghibli is a wealth of cute characters, but Jiji the cat from Kiki’s Delivery Service ranks among the most charming. Perfect for spooky season or everyday wear, this kitty can actually slide up and down the broom pendant, which gives the necklace some movement.
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The Warawara from The Boy and the Heron can charm anyone with the little expressions on their faces. These little creatures exist to be stacked and rearranged however their owners see fit. You can also get stacking figures inspired by characters from My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, Spirited Away and more.
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If they’re into puzzles, get them this Jiji jigsaw, which has translucent pieces that makes the whole thing look like stained glass when put together. You can also get a similar-style puzzle with art inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away.
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Sure, Sophie and Wizard Howl may be the main characters of Howl’s Moving Castle, but Calcifer is the true star, at least where merch is concerned. This cozy flannel blanket has his face and the motto: “May all your bacon burn.” It comes in a variety of sizes, from 50 inches by 40 inches to 80 inches by 60 inches.
Given Princess Mononoke‘s environmental themes, a reusable tote bag inspired by the movie just makes sense. When it’s not in use, it can be folded up to fit inside the plush San mask, which comes with a clip that makes it easy to carry around.
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Each layer of this nesting doll set is more and more delightful, from the different sizes and colors of Totoros down to the little acorn and soot sprite. (There are six layers in all). Amazon users were impressed with how sturdy all of the pieces are. “It does not seem delicate,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “I would feel comfortable allowing my nieces to play with it.”
Available for pre-order (and releasing on December 15), a little porcelain spoon rest or sauce dish in the shape of Ootori-sama from Spirited Away makes the perfect gift for home cooks. If they’re interested in more Ghibli dishware, there are dinnerware collections for My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, and utensils and chopsticks for lots of the Ghibli movies.
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The small frying pan is made of iron, and Amazon reviewers note it’ll imprint Calcifer’s face on certain foods like grilled cheese or pancakes. You can also get a Calcifer spatula to go with it.
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For Spirited Away fans who love to DIY, this kit comes with little paper cutouts that fans can layer on top of each other to make a 3D scene. There’s also a version that’s just Chihiro and No Face, or you can get scenes from other Ghibli movies.
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I’m not saying that I’ve included these here because I own them myself, but if I were to admit that, I’d also say that I’m considering going back to get the Calcifer version. The style is unisex, so they’re good if you like a loose and baggy fit.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
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