BODY: Studio Ghibli is bringing a brand-new short animation to its theme park in Aichi Prefecture this summer. "Night of the Witch's Valley" (Majo no Tani no Yoru) will begin screening at Ghibli Park in Nagakute on July 8, co-directed by Goro Miyazaki and veteran animator Akihiko Yamashita.
The short film is set in the park's "Valley of Witches" (Majo no Tani) area, which draws inspiration from Ghibli classics like Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle. While full details on the story remain under wraps, the dual-director setup pairs Goro Miyazaki โ who helmed Earwig and the Witch and From Up on Poppy Hill โ with Yamashita, a long-time Ghibli animation director and key animator on films including Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo.
Alongside the new screening, Ghibli Park will begin selling tickets for July entry starting May 10 at 2:00 PM JST. The park is also implementing revised ticket pricing, though specific new rates have yet to be detailed. Visitors should check the official Ghibli Park site for the latest fare information before purchasing.
The announcement continues Ghibli Park's strategy of offering exclusive short films that can only be seen on-site, following earlier shorts screened at the park's Grand Warehouse area. These park-only animations have become a significant draw, giving fans a reason to make repeat visits beyond the permanent exhibits and attractions.
The insider take
Ghibli Park has been quietly evolving from a themed attraction into something closer to a living studio showcase. The decision to pair Goro Miyazaki with Yamashita โ one of the studio's most respected animation craftsmen โ signals that these park shorts are being treated as serious creative work, not mere promotional fluff. With the park still managing crowd flow through timed-entry tickets rather than open-gate admission, expect the July slots to move fast once sales open on May 10.
Originally reported by GAME Watch (Japanese).