Hayao Miyazaki's 'Spirited Away' Stage Adaptation Embarks on Global Tour
Experience the Magic: A Global Journey of 'Spirited Away'
The Critically Acclaimed Stage Production of "Spirited Away" Embarks on an International Voyage
Toho Co., Ltd. has officially unveiled plans for a grand world tour of its stage version of Studio Ghibli's Academy Award-winning animated film, "Spirited Away." This ambitious tour, scheduled from 2026 to 2028, will culminate in a much-anticipated return to London's Coliseum in the spring of 2028. The theatrical spectacle will commence its journey in December with an opening run at the National Theater in Taipei. Following this, it will move to a national tour across Japan starting in March 2027, before heading to North America for engagements at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto from May to August 2027, and the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles from September to October 2027. The London leg, slated for March to July 2028, will be a collaborative effort with PW Productions.
A Testament to Theatrical Excellence: Previous Successes and Accolades of the "Spirited Away" Adaptation
The original Japanese production has already achieved remarkable success, drawing over 300,000 theatergoers during a 17-week sold-out residency at the London Coliseum in 2024. This celebrated run earned the production the Best New Play award at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards and secured four nominations for the prestigious Olivier Awards. Its triumph continued with 42 performances at the Shanghai Culture Square in mid-2025 and an impressive 94-performance run at the Seoul Arts Center Opera House starting in January 2026, with every single show selling out in both locations.
The Creative Minds Behind the Magic: Director, Composer, and Design Team Bringing "Spirited Away" to Life
Helmed by the renowned director John Caird, known for his work on "Les Misérables," this stage adaptation masterfully transforms Hayao Miyazaki's 2001 cinematic masterpiece into a live experience. The production is enriched by a live orchestra performing Joe Hisaishi's unforgettable film score. The visual grandeur is brought to life through the imaginative set designs of Jon Bausor, the evocative puppets created by Toby Olié, and the exquisite costumes designed by Nakahara Sachiko.
Nippon TV's Strategic Global Expansion: Introducing New Divisions and Leadership for International Growth
Nippon TV has recently announced the formation of a new Global Strategy division, appointing Takaya Kazuo, the former president of Hulu Japan (2023-2026), to lead as its president. This new unit is tasked with spearheading international intellectual property development, fostering technological advancements, and forging regional partnerships. A key focus will be on amplifying the unscripted production brand Gyokuro Studio and advancing the AI production tool AiDi. Concurrently, Hiramatsu Satoru has been promoted to executive VP of content business, a role in which he has overseen the global proliferation of successful formats such as "Old Enough!"—now renewed for two more seasons in Canada—and "Mother," which K7 Media recognizes as Asia's most frequently remade scripted format, boasting 11 international adaptations.
Bolstering Bollywood: Siddharth Roy Kapur Joins CineNow to Propel Indian Cinema Investment
Indian media magnate Siddharth Roy Kapur has joined CineNow, an innovative film and entertainment investment platform, as a principal advisor to its founding team. CineNow is in the process of establishing a structured investment vehicle for film intellectual property, aiming to raise INR1,350 crore (approximately $143 million). The platform's objective is to introduce institutional capital and robust governance frameworks to India's thriving content industry. Roy Kapur expressed his enthusiasm, stating that CineNow is crafting a distinctive platform that synergizes content, capital, and technology.
