Studio Ghibli's Next Anime Finally Gets First Look

2 days ago 3

Published Apr 21, 2026, 11:50 AM EDT

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In the wake of Hayao Miyazaki's newest film, Studio Ghibli is gearing up for a major comeback. Not only is its co-founder hard at work on a new film, but Miyazaki's legacy will soon usher in a new film release. Not long ago, reports confirmed Studio Ghibli is preparing to release an all-new anime short that ties back to one of its most underrated movies. And with director Goro Miyazaki at the helm, the upcoming premiere will add yet another win to the family's impressive legacy.

Posted to Studio Ghibli's official website in Japan, the new anime announcement has fans doing a double take right now. The studio confirmed plans to release a new anime short film titled A Night in the Witch's Valley in early July. The short, which is already fully finished, will be released exclusively in Japan. Guests who visit Ghibli Park will be able to watch the special, making it all but impossible for audiences outside of Japan to watch the new release.

And no, don't even bother asking. Studio Ghibli has zero plans to release this anime special online. The studio has a history of releasing exclusive anime shorts, and they rarely (if ever) make their way to overseas fans in any official capacity.

A Night in the Witch's Valley Will Make History

studio ghibli anime short night witch valley

Directed by Goro Miyazaki and Akihiko Yamashita, A Night in the Witch's Valley is already making history. The upcoming short is the first created exclusively for Ghibli Park, for one. And additionally, the short will act as a sequel to the most unlikely movie. A Night in the Witch's Valley is set in the world of Earwig and the Witch. Released in 2020, the 3D animated movie earned mixed reviews upon its launch, but Goro Miyazaki is eager to revisit the magical world he brought to life years ago.

In fact, the director will even be making an appearance at Ghibli Park to celebrate the release of his new anime. On July 8, the short's world premiere will take place with both its directors. The event, which will be ticketed via a lottery, promises to explore the new film's production process in detail. Audiences will surely discover how the unexpected spin-off came to be, so locals will want to sign up for the ticket lottery ASAP.

Studio Ghibli Has A Lot Of Anime Specials You Don't Know

With the countdown now on for Studio Ghibli's next anime, now is a good time to remind fans of its other shorts. Starting back in 2000, Studio Ghibli began releasing special anime shorts either for television or the Ghibli Museum, a tourist destination located in Mitaka, Tokyo. The studio's first short was titled Ghiblies which sparked a sequel in 2002. To date, seven official shorts have been released by Studio Ghibli for television, and 10 have been created for the Ghibli Museum.

Now, A Night in the Witch's Valley is set to expand the collection of shorts as Studio Ghibli enters a new era. The brand's theme park is a huge success in Japan, so plans to bring exclusive anime releases there are hardly shocking. If you want to see what Studio Ghibli is cooking up for this special, you will have to visit the theme park to see what's up. But be warned, you can bet fans will swarm the theme park in July once the new release goes live.