Prominent Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli has apologized for the steep price of the admission to its upcoming Roppongi Hills retrospective art exhibition. Studio Ghibli producer and co-founder Toshio Suzuki announced that instead of the original 2,300 yen ($23) entrance fee, it will be slashed down 1,800 yen ($18).
On Studio Ghibli's official website, Suzuki wrote, "I want many people to see the exhibit. I deeply want that, so we've changed the admission price to 1,800 yen! Please, come see the sweat and tears that Studio Ghibli has been putting into its works for 30 years."
When Studio Ghibli first announced that its upcoming art exhibit will have an admission fee costing 2,300 yen, some fans accepted the rate in the hopes that the works on display will justify the price.
However, this price did not sit well with the co-founder Suzuki, hence the decision to cut it. Suzuki stated that he wants the entrance fee to the exhibition to be the same as a movie ticket. The Studio Ghibli producer added that it caused some problems with the organizers of the exhibition at first, but they eventually agreed to his proposal.
Studio Ghibli has said it would refund fans who pre-ordered the tickets for its original 2,300 yen price. All these fans have to do is present the ticket to the museum counter, and they will receive a 500 yen ($5) refund on the spot.
The Studio Ghibli art exhibition will showcase the legendary studio's works from Nausicaa to their latest creation, The Red Turtle. The exhibit will officially begin on July 7 and will run until Sept. 11.
Studio Ghibli is the animation house behind classic films like Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, From Up on Poppy Hill, The Wind Rises, and Spirited Away.
