Danica Davidson
June 18, 2025 
Otedama is a well-known game in Japan involving tossing around little beanbags. Studio Ghibli has come out with its own Otedama collection, involving iconic characters from some of its beloved movies. This is a new twist on plushies that Ghibli has previously released.
Even if you’re not familiar with Otedama, you could think of these as like being unofficial Beanie Babies of Ghibli characters, and they are about the same size as Beanie Babies. There are ten in total, scooped straight out of the movies My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and the studio’s most recent film, The Boy and the Heron.
The various beanbags cost around $20 or less.
GKIDS has licensed Studio Ghibli’s films for North America. It gave this description for My Neighbor Totoro:
My Neighbor Totoro Plot
When Satsuki and her sister Mei move with their father to a new home in the countryside, they find country life is not as simple as it seems. They soon discover that the house and nearby woods are full of strange and delightful creatures, including a gigantic but gentle forest spirit called Totoro, who can only be seen by children. Totoro and his friends introduce the girls to a series of adventures, including a ride aboard the extraordinary Cat Bus, in this all-ages animated masterpiece featuring the voices of Tim Daly, Lea Salonga, and real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning, in early roles.
GKIDS gave this description for Spirited Away:
Spirited Away Plot
Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.
GKIDS gave this description for Kiki’s Delivery Service:
Kiki’s Delivery Service Plot
It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world, featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, and Debbie Reynolds.
GKIDS gave this description for The Boy and the Heron:
The Boy and the Heron Plot
After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself. Featuring the voices of Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh.
The beanbags are available through the Donguri Kyowakoku store, which has an online presence.
Source: SoraNews24
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
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