The Studio Ghibli Story Immersive Art Exhibition, the first of its kind in the country, provides an up-close experience of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's classic movies, such as Ponyo, with Toshio Suzuki, chairman of Studio Ghibli, admiring the film-inspired scene. Photo CHINA DAILY

BEIJING — Despite saying he would retire seven times, Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki has never truly kept that promise. However, his lack of commitment has been good news for his fans.

The Boy and the Heron, the director’s latest outing, and which earned him his second Oscar for Best Animation following Spirited Away in 2003, has grossed over US$100.8 million, topped China’s box office consecutively for two weeks between April 3, its opening day, and April 14.

For die-hard fans eager to delve deeper, an ongoing exhibition leads into some of the most iconic scenes from Miyazaki’s movies, from the mysterious woodlands in Princess Mononoke to the bathhouse in Spirited Away.

Jointly organized by Chinese and Japanese partners, The Studio Ghibli Story Immersive Art Exhibition, the first of its kind in the country, kicked off on April 12 and will run until October 31 at the Shanghai International Media Port’s Art Center.

The project, which took 122 days to mount, features 24 exhibit areas in three venues and covers 2,800 square meters in which 52 digital projects have been installed to create an immersive effect.

More than 10 Japanese craftsmen specialized in the polishing of props to make them appear aged and consistent with their period, were dispatched to Shanghai to help. — China Daily