Ghibli: Castle in the Sky
Date
Credits
Format
- Poster 2371
- Illustration 393
- Advertising 633
Media
- paper 2062
Techniques
- drawing 107
- illustration 307
- painting 92
- printing 869
Dimensions
Locations Made
- Japan 560
- Tokyo 81
- Tokyo Prefecture 77
The movie Castle in the Sky (天空の城ラピュタ) from Studio Ghibli is one of the studio’s most iconic works. It was released on August 2nd, 1986, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, with animation, storyboarding, and character design all crafted by Miyazaki and his team at Ghibli.
The poster features a poetic tagline: “One day, a girl fell from the sky.” This line, written vertically in a soft Mincho-style Japanese typeface, immediately sets a tone of mystery and elegance. The minimalist composition—based on a scene from the film—depicts Pazu reaching upward as Sheeta floats down, illuminated by a radiant light. The image is likely based on Miyazaki’s character designs and Nizō Yamamoto’s background art.
The soft, hand-drawn style and rich use of deep greens and warm yellows reflect the film’s themes of flight, wonder, and lost civilizations. The large, angular title typeface “ラピュタ” in bold green contrasts with the soft background, adding energy and visual weight while evoking adventure. The balance between emotional stillness and visual dynamism is a hallmark of Ghibli’s graphic identity.
