Bright blue skies, rolling green hills dotted with tiny cottages, and little witches on broomsticks: Studio Ghibli is coming alive at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Come 30 May 2026, the Abu Dhabi island is transforming into a whimsical world courtesy of cinema’s most beloved Japanese animation house.
Making its UAE debut, The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition arrives courtesy of Theory Eleven Entertainment in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, and Studio Ghibli itself. For fans (and future fans), this is a rare chance to step directly into the hand-drawn universes that have shaped global animation for nearly 40 years.
The studio was founded in 1985 by directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, alongside producer Toshio Suzuki. To this day, Studio Ghibli has remained the blueprint for storytelling that blends fantasy, soul, and meticulous talent. With Oscar-winning films such as “Spirited Away” and “The Boy and the Heron”, plus their Honorary Palme d’Or win at Cannes 2024, it’s no surprise that Ghibli’s influence can be felt everywhere from art schools to your Pinterest feed.
Now, there is a chance to experience that magic up close. Spread across 16 immersive galleries, the exhibition invites visitors to wander into scenes pulled straight from iconic films, including My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle. You’ll be able to wait at the bus stop with Totoro during a soft rain shower, step through the creaking doorway of Howl’s ever-moving castle, or catch the ghostly train with No Face across a shimmering sea. (Chihiro would be proud.)
Beyond the larger-than-life sets, you can explore interactive box-art installations showcasing the tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them details that make Ghibli’s animation so legendary, from Kokiri the witch’s cluttered potion shelves to the handwritten notes Satsuki leaves in Totoro. It’s an invitation to look at the world Miyazaki-style: slowed down, up close, and full of wonder.
And, of course, no Ghibli journey is complete without souvenirs. A dedicated retail shop will offer exclusive, exhibition-only merchandise designed especially for this Abu Dhabi edition, ideal for anyone building a shrine to Totoro at home.
The exhibition has travelled through Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore, and now it’s finally Abu Dhabi’s turn. Tickets go on sale on 8 December 2025 following a waitlist period beginning 3 December. The exhibition runs from 30 May to 20 August 2026.
🗓️ 30 May 2026 to 20 August 2026
📍Manarat al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
For details and reservations, visit theWorldofStudioGhibli.ae And keep an eye on @theoryelevenme for updates, because adventures always begin when you least expect them.