Studio Ghibli films are a major part of anime, one of Japan's most influential international entertainment exports. This banknote series celebrates the impact of anime—particularly the works of Studio Ghibli—on Japan's rise to global entertainment stardom. It also honors the spiritual depth and real historical inspirations behind the studio’s iconic films.
To represent the land, the theme of the 1000 yen banknote is the movie "Princess Mononoke". To represent water, the theme of the 5000 yen banknote is the movie "Spirited Away".
Programs used: Photoshop, Indesign
The "Princess Mononoke" inspired banknote
Front: Princess Mononoke, the Yakushima forest, The Emishi - the real clan the movie was based on, and Rhaphiolepis indica (Indian or Hong Kong hawthorn) - commonly found in the Yakushima forest
Back: Princess Mononoke and her spiritual wolf companion, mythical creatures featured in the film interacting with a real image of the Yakushima forest
The "Spirited Away" inspired banknote
Front: Chihiro - the main character who adventures the spiritual bathhouse, the Dogo Onsen bridge - where the movie was based on, Buddhist statue - representing the movie's spiritual ties, and the inside of a bathhouse
Back: Chihiro and Haku.- the spirit of the Kohaku River and Chihiro's new-found friend, spirits from the movie seated on the mystical train
