Interest
Hayao Miyazaki Art Adorns Tokyo Bike License Plates
posted on by Egan Loo
Mitaka, a city in western Tokyo, began accepting applications this month for minibike license plates decorated with Poki — the city's mascot character which happens to be drawn by Studio Ghibli co-founder and award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. The plates mark the 60th anniversary of the city that is the home of the Ghibli Museum.
The license plates are available for minibikes and motorized bicycles with engine displacement of 50cc or less. Applicants do not have to live in Mitaka, as long as they use the parking areas in the city.
Miyazaki unveiled the falcon baby character in October of 2001 to mark the opening of the Ghibli Museum. A four-year-old child named the character in a contest.
The public broadcaster NHK posted a video report about the plates. Another Tokyo-area city, Chofu, is already using Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitarō character for its plates.
Miyazaki's newest work, an anime short called "Pan-Dane to Tamago-Hime" (Yeast and Princess Egg), will begin playing at the Ghibli Museum's Saturn Theater on November 20.
