Studio Ghibli theme park visitors asked not to fondle anime statue's breasts, please

Studio Ghibli theme park visitors in Japan have been asked not to fondle the anime statue's breasts. Yes, that’s a thing.

The Studio Ghibli anime movies are one of the most celebrated of its genre and proved so popular that the franchise even has its own theme park, located in Nagakute, Aichi, Japan. Announced in 2017, construction began in 2020, before the doors were opened to the public in 2022.

As reported by Dexerto (via CNN), one particular fan-favourite area of the park is the Witch Valley, and fans are said to be loving Kiki’s Delivery Service as well as the Howl’s Moving Castle. However, it seems fans are perhaps loving the inhabitants of the Witch Valley a little too much.

Authorities in Japan were forced to take action against some visitors that were getting a little touchy, feely with some of the park’s statues. Photos were being shared across social media of hands-on park visitors groping the Ghibli-inspired statues. To be honest, it’s uncomfortably weird.

The governor of Aichi Prefecture, Hideaki Ōmura pleaded with park employees during a press conference held on Thursday, 9 March to prevent visitors from behaving badly with the exhibits, which in turn give the park a bad name with the unsavoury photos being shared on the internet.

“It is extremely regrettable. We will take firm action because [Ghibli Park] is located within the prefectural park,” said Ōmura. “Ghibli Park is a place for adults and children to have fun while experiencing Ghibli films. I don’t want people who do things that many find offensive to come to the park.”

In more savoury Studio Ghibli news, an exceptionally talented artist created some wonderful pieces of work inspired by the beloved anime and FromSoftware’s Elden Ring. Oh, by the way, isn't it about time that we had a Studio Ghibli video game? Come on your cowards, make it happen!