Donguri Sora Restocks Three Noritake Totoro Plates at 5,500 Yen
The bone china plates, 23 centimeters across, bring back the Dandelion, Mock Strawberry and Japanese Viburnum designs first sold in 2005.
Donguri Sora, Studio Ghibli's official merchandise website, has restocked three Noritake collectible My Neighbor Totoro plates from the 2005 seasonal collection, according to cbr.com. Each plate costs 5,500 yen including tax.
The three designs are Dandelion for March and April, Mock Strawberry for May and June, and Japanese Viburnum for September and October. The plates measure 23 centimeters across.
The restocked plates are made of bone china rather than the 100% porcelain used for the original run.
Origins of the collaboration
In 1992, director Hayao Miyazaki proposed creating Noritake tableware featuring Totoro and ordinary wild plants, and the first Noritake and Studio Ghibli collaboration collection launched in 1993. Noritake began releasing annual collectible plates in 1997.
The seasonal collection carrying the Dandelion, Mock Strawberry and Japanese Viburnum designs arrived in 2005. In a 2015 Ghibli Museum interview, animator Makiko Futaki, who created the original tableware illustrations, said the 2005 collection was initially planned with 12 monthly designs but was reduced to six designs covering two months each.
Quick answers
How much do the restocked Noritake My Neighbor Totoro plates cost?
Each plate costs 5,500 yen including tax.
Which designs were restocked?
Dandelion for March and April, Mock Strawberry for May and June, and Japanese Viburnum for September and October.
What are the plates made of?
The restocked plates are made of bone china, instead of the original 100% porcelain.