Just in time for Anime Expo, Studio Ghibli is officially bringing an outpost of Donguri Republic, a retail chain that exclusively sells Ghibli merch, to the U.S. for the first time. And the timing is especially prescient, given that Donguri Republic will be opening on June 23 at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, CA, just a quick jaunt from downtown Los Angeles, where Anime Expo will take place from July 2-5.
The store will “recreate the warmth and wonder of Studio Ghibli’s storytelling through a beautifully designed retail experience featuring wood-inspired interiors, whimsical displays, and a giant Totoro waiting at a bus stop for the Catbus,” according to a press release (via IGN).
The only catch is that this Donguri Republic location isn’t permanent; the store will only be open until December 31, 2026. While it lasts, though, the shop will sell more than 400 officially licensed products from Studio Ghibli’s extensive catalog, including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ponyo, and Princess Mononoke, among many others.
Notably, this is not the first time Studio Ghibli has done a retail pop-up in the U.S.—those happen from time to time, like the recent Kinokuniya pop-up in San Jose, CA, or the JapanLA pop-up in 2017. In both of those instances, though, Studio Ghibli collaborated with an existing store to host a Ghibli installation. This is the first time Donguri Republic will have a standalone store in the U.S.
Given its temporary status, expect Donguri Republic to be pretty busy, especially during the first few weeks. Who knows, though—maybe it’ll be such a success that Studio Ghibli will bring Donguri Republic to the U.S. permanently.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
