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Studio Ghibli has added another character to their collection, accompanying Wizard Howl, Kiki, Totoro, and Porco Rosso is now Ghibli’s latest inspired by the coronavirus.
This newest character was launched to celebrate the new year and takes the form of an ox in commemoration of 2021 being the Year of the Ox.
The character was shared on Studio Ghibli’s twitter account that began recently in Dec. 2020.
An illustration was shared featuring a brown ox pressing its hooves down on a purple virus-like figure wearing a mask, with a colourful “2021” imprinted on the ox’s torso.
The illustration was accompanied by a message wishing fans a Happy New Year, and announcing the purpose of the account.
“Happy New Year everyone! We have just started Studio Ghibli’s official Twitter account. We will be sharing information about new works and small events happen at the studio. Please check here for latest updates,” the tweet said in both English and Japanese.
明けましておめでとうございます。スタジオジブリの公式Twitterを始めます。作品情報や、スタジオのこぼれ話などをお伝えしていきます。どうぞよろしくお願いします。https://t.co/0RLxighncb pic.twitter.com/zkd9ZeWpXu
— STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) December 31, 2020
The twitter account shares updates about director, Hayao Miyazaki and any progress or news surrounding animations that are in the works.
Studio Ghibli also made an announcement on the twitter page that they would officially return to work on Jan 5. Along with an image of beloved character, Totoro.
The studio’s coronavirus character acts as a digital nengajo, a Japanese custom in which people write handwritten new year greetings.