This is a B2 Japanese advance poster, printed in 1986, for the release of “Laputa: Castle in the Sky” (天空の城ラピュタ).

“Castle in the Sky” is the first film created by Studio Ghibli and released on August 2, 1986, although it is considered the second by some, as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was created by the founding members two years prior. During its theatrical release, it was screened alongside two compilation movies for Sherlock Hound, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, and Treasure Under the Sea.

It is an adventure movie. Set in a fictional late 19th century, a boy, Pazu, rescues an unconscious girl descending from the night sky with a glowing pendant around her neck. He helps the girl, Sheeta, to escape from the air pirates and the military who are obsessed with Laputa, a legendary kingdom on a floating island in the sky with which Sheeta is suspected of being connected.

This poster clearly shows the adventurous side of the movie, its fun side. Who wouldn’t want to fly around in one of these crazy flying machines? Despite the single pose of Pazu and Sheeta in the flying machine, this image moves in your mind. It takes on a life of its own.

Note that the poster does not have the Eirin Mark and, for that reason, we aren’t absolutely sure it is an original movie poster. It may have been used either to promote other merchandise or was given as a free gift with the purchase of the cinema ticket.