Oregon has been luring tourists with Studio Ghibli-style animated ads for years

Oregon’s mesmerizing animated tourism ad campaign, which wants viewers to imagine the state’s best attractions as “Only Slightly Exaggerated,” has been wearing its unmistakable Hayao Miyazaki inspiration since 2018.

The ads presented Oregon destinations through an otherworldly lens that turns food vendors into ghostly figures, clouds into giant sky whales, mountains into colossal beasts and animals into supernatural beings.

A recent ad titled “Still Only Slightly Exaggerated” showcased a colorful Portland reminiscent of the film “Spirited Away.”

Uploaded by Travel Oregon on its YouTube account, the description credited creative agency Wieden+Kennedy, production company Psyop and animation house Sun Creature for the stunning animation, as well as Jim Dooley for the musical score.

Earlier videos, uploaded in 2019, feature equally jaw-dropping sequences that will remind Ghibli fans of scenes from “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke” and “Castle in the Sky” among others.

In a 2019 press release, Wieden+Kennedy creative Ansel Wallenfang said their goal for the campaign was “to visualize the emotional experience of visiting Oregon. By using animation, we are able to capture experiences that go beyond traditional travel films, while also feeling unique to our state.”

Commenters on YouTube and Instagram have showered the ads’ creators with praise and requests for more content.

“Now can we please make a feature-length film?? 😍” an Instagram user wrote.

“Never stop these Studio-Ghibliesque video promotions of Oregon please!:)” wrote another.

“Did Oregon pull Miyazaki out of retirement?  This is amazing!” said one YouTube commenter.

“I don’t care what the animators were paid, they need a raise,” added another.

Featured Image via Oregon