It’s now 2025, and people everywhere are joyfully ringing in the New Year with their own distinctive traditions. In Japan, the Chinese Zodiac plays a significant part in these festivities, with the year’s animal prominently showcased. This year, we welcome the Year of the Snake, and snakes have certainly made their presence felt in celebrations throughout the nation.
The Year of the Snake festivities have made their way into the realm of anime, and it’s not just any artist participating. Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of the renowned Studio Ghibli, has created a remarkable piece of art. With his distinctive perspective on the Year of the Snake, he shared this artwork along with a heartfelt message on New Year’s Day through the official Studio Ghibli website.
A Special Snake by Hayao Miyazaki
A Silly, Original Piece of Art
To ring in the new year, Studio Ghibli shared a unique piece of art created by Hayao Miyazaki himself. Posted on January 1st, this artwork follows the tradition of Miyazaki producing a hand-drawn piece that reflects the Chinese Zodiac animal of the year. After last year’s dragon, this time he has chosen to draw a snake. The piece features a friendly greeting at the top that reads “How are you?” and a warm wish at the bottom saying “Best wishes again this year,” along with “GHIBLI” and “2025” artistically included.
This snake is far from ordinary; it brings a touch of whimsy and fantasy to the scene. Remarkably, it boasts not one, but eight heads! The artwork also features its tail, which is accompanied by a snail and a mouse perched on it. Hayao Miyazaki, known for beloved characters like Totoro, Ponyo, and No Face, has a distinctive style that’s instantly recognizable. While this snake may appear a bit rougher and more playful than his typical creations, it undeniably carries the essence of a Miyazaki piece—just rendered in a more relaxed and spontaneous manner.
A Message from Studio Ghibli to Fans
Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year
Accompanying the artwork is a thoughtful note from the Studio, outlining their plans to resume work and reflecting on the successes of the past year while honoring the events of 2024. The note starts with a cheerful Happy New Year greeting and a thank you to supporters of the studio. It also acknowledges the tragic earthquakes that occurred in Ishikawa Prefecture on January 1st, 2024, which caused many casualties. Studio Ghibli expresses their desire for a more peaceful start to 2025 and remembers those affected by the previous year’s tragedies.
The main focus of the message to fans highlights the studio’s achievements over the last year and outlines their exciting plans for the upcoming year, which is translated from Japanese.
“Let me share some exciting news about Studio Ghibli! We are nearing the global release of The Boy and the Heron, which has captivated many viewers and garnered numerous awards. We also have various traveling exhibitions and new projects in the pipeline, and we appreciate your enthusiasm and high expectations. Additionally, the second phase of Ghibli Park has officially opened, completing all five areas as intended. This year, we are committed to enhancing and improving our facilities and operations even further.“
The Boy and the Heron has achieved remarkable success since its debut, so it’s no wonder that Studio Ghibli is highlighting this film. The announcement wraps up by stating that the studio will be back to work on January 6th, right after Miyazaki’s birthday. He will celebrate his impressive 84th birthday, and as mentioned last year, he has no intention of slowing down his creative endeavors.
Although specific details about Studio Ghibli’s plans for 2025 are still under wraps, it seems the studio is gearing up for an exciting year. Fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the next film, which we hope will come soon. In the meantime, there’s a steady stream of fascinating new merchandise and collaborations, plus Ghibli Park keeps growing each year.