- Studio Ghibli has reintroduced its limited-edition Sakura Totoro collection for the cherry blossom season.
- My Neighbor Totoro has a 32% preference in Japan's ¥2.7 trillion character market, proving its appeal even after its debut.
- This longevity enables Ghibli to maintain scarcity-driven demand and brand relevance through repeating seasonal drops.
Studio Ghibli has announced that its seasonal Sakura Totoro products will be available again through its official store chain, Donguri Kyowakoku (Donguri Sora). This collection, which reimagines My Neighbor Totoro's iconic figures in delicate floral designs and gentle pink colors, is released just in time for Japan's cherry blossom season. Since its introduction in 2023, the assortment has become a staple of Ghibli's spring collection. Given the history of swift sell-outs, this year's resupply is projected to be available for a limited time only.
The 2026 collection includes significant ornamental pieces, including two pink Totoro plush coin purses with traditional gamaguchi (clasp) and modern zipper designs, priced between ¥2,200 (~ $14.30 USD) and ¥3,300 ($21.45). The accessories also include a handheld Totoro plush with a cherry blossom branch for ¥3,080 ($20.02) and a versatile ¥3,278 ($21.31) tenugui wall print that can also work as a traditional noren doorway divider.
Donguri Sora
Totoro’s Market Power Fuels Seasonal Demand
According to a Tohuku University research, the 1988 classic My Neighbor Totoro has become an essential element of Japan's ¥2.7 trillion [(~$17.65B) as of 2023, data taken from Statista] growing mascot sector, which also includes the character market. Totoro also received 32% of the vote in Nippon Research Center's July 2024 survey, illustrating the unique multi-generational appeal that has driven Ghibli's tremendous retail success.
Ghibli's brand momentum continues to be strong, backed by its last release, The Boy and the Heron's global success and award acclaim. The film grossed over $294M worldwide, becoming the sixth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. It also won Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards (Oscars), Golden Globes, and BAFTA in 2024.
This film’s prominence has reportedly driven overall downstream merchandise demand for Ghibli, further amplified by a strong global retail strategy. For instance, high-profile partnerships, such as the ongoing Uniqlo UT collaborations, have helped Ghibli increase its clothing footprint in worldwide markets over the 2025 and 2026 retail seasons.
Sakura Collection Reinforces Ghibli’s Brand Longevity
With the Sakura collection's resurgence, Studio Ghibli reveals that its marketing technique is as ageless as its storytelling. By bridging the gap between high-brow cinematic grandeur and immense commercial demand, the studio has ensured that Totoro is more than just a movie icon, but also a permanent presence in the worldwide fashion and lifestyle scene.
