Ghibli: Castle in the Sky
Date
Credits
Format
- Poster 2181
- Illustration 369
- Advertising 602
Media
- paper 1918
Techniques
- drawing 94
- illustration 250
- painting 67
- printing 789
Dimensions
Locations Made
- Japan 447
- Tokyo 60
- Tokyo Prefecture 56
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.
