Impressions
Whole impression
The original pictures, the cell pictures and the background pictures of about 250 points were displayed in total. The composition ratios, however, were different for each work. One work was exhibited in an equal ratio while for another work, most were composed of the cell picture with the background.
However, since there has been no large-scale exhibition of the original pictures up to now, I don't think that anyone would be disappointed.
Also, I noticed that the height at which the work was displayed was suitable for adults but too high for a small child to appreciate the work. One may theorize from this evidence that the pictures are being regarded as art.
Attribute
The groups that entered in the beginning were predominantly men. The reason for this is that there are many men who are ghibli-maniacs that wanted to be there first. However, as the day's visitors were totaled, the number of women was higher than that of men.
Japanese people rarely go to exhibitions alone so most people who came were in groups. There are five kinds of groups. (^_^) Adult men, Adult women,Adult men and women (couples), Group of children (below elementary school age), Families (married couples and their child or children).Many groups of only children came because the first exhibition day was during summer vacation. Because the opening day was on a Saturday, families were also able to come.
As an experiment, I counted the number of people in each group that passed through the hall.
Men: 36
Women: 40
Elemetary school student's group: 4
Family: 8
It was as follows also in another block.
Men: 20
Women: 29
Elemetary school student's group: 3
Family: 3
There were a lot of families with small children contrary to what I had expected. I think that parents who wished to attend the exhibit rather than the children. Men and their wives enjoyed the exhibition more than their children did. On the first day, two Caucasian families with children came. There was a group that came with a wheelchair, too.
The Ghibli work is loved by all kinds of people.
Gathering material scenery
A TV crew was gathering material at the exhibition. They hoped to film a young child with an innocent expression watching Totoro. However, the child who had been chosen did not show much interest in Totoro's picture.
The picture that the crew hoped for did not materialize. The child's mother also trid to make her child cooperate but failed.
Crowded goods counter
There was a counter of Ghibli goods near the exit of the large, congested hall. The character goods sold were as follows: calendars, glass, stationary, wall hangings, towels, lavatory articles, rest room articles, stuffed animals and other various adornments. There were an overwhelming number of Totoro-related commodities.
Quite a lot of people tried to buy the commodities, therefore, the counter was very crowded and there was a long line. The line reached the exhibition hall deep to teh vicinity of Blue Seed. If you want to buy these commodities, you should expect to line up for 30 minutes or more.
In Japan, such a shop is generally established as an annex in this kind of exhibit. It's very crowded. You should go directly to the counter as soon as entering if you plan to purchase a somebody. You can still see the work while lined up in the procession.
Future of the exhibition
My friend who likes Ghibli's work lives in the provinces. He was very interested in the exhibition but because it was held in the capital, he could not attend. It is said that this sort of exhibit will not be held again.
I hope, however, that it does happen again, and, if possible, for it to be held in the provinces for the many fans there of Ghibli's work. Of course, I hope for it to be held in Canada, America and all over the globe for the world-wide fans of Ghibli's work.