Micah Jonah
February 15, 2026
A new immersive exhibition dedicated to the animated fantasy film – Ponyo has opened at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, inviting visitors into the imaginative world created by renowned Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.
The exhibition, which was opened to the public on Saturday, showcases more than 100 original production materials, including rare artwork, hand-drawn sketches from Studio Ghibli, the animation studio co-founded by Miyazaki in 1985.
Ponyo, released in 2008, tells the story of a goldfish-like princess who longs to become human after forming a bond with a five-year-old boy named Sosuke. The film was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, and is widely regarded as one of Miyazaki’s most child-friendly works.
Speaking ahead of the opening, the museum’s senior exhibitions curator, Jessica Niebel, described Ponyo as a special entry in Miyazaki’s filmography, noting that the director has always held children close to his heart and enjoys making films for younger audiences.
Among the highlights of the exhibition are vivid ocean-themed art boards and original sketches drawn by Miyazaki himself, capturing key emotional moments from the film. An interactive animation table has also been installed, allowing children and other visitors to experiment with stop-motion filmmaking and create their own short sequences.
Organizers say the exhibition does not only celebrates the beauty of hand-drawn animation but also underscores the importance of human creativity in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Miyazaki, now 85, is often described as one of the greatest animators in the world and is sometimes referred to as the “Walt Disney of Japan.” His work through Studio Ghibli continues to influence generations of filmmakers and animation lovers worldwide.
