Even though modelling is stereotypically associated with miniature character figures, robots, guns and trains in the anime fan community, almost anything can be rendered into a miniature form and put together painstakingly with the help of specialized tools, a lot of patience and fine fingerwork. Sankei's line of Ghibli 'Miniatuart' exemplifies this.

This model of Aburaya, the bathhouse from Spirited Away, includes little architectural details, the stairway Chihiro runs down to reach the boiler room, gardens tucked away behind walls, and even tiny standees of Yubaba, her baby, Haku, and spirits.











Sankei also has a model of the mysterious theme park Chihiro visits.





Here's the hat shop from Howl's Moving Castle.





Porco Rosso is represented by the Hotel Adriano, complete with Porco himself, his chair, and his airplane.

Kiki's Delivery Service fans can opt for the Koriko Town kit, which shows Kiki flying on her broom above a busy street and past some tall buildings.







The Oiwa family house from Ghibli's latest film, When Marnie Was There, can be built too.

All of these models are made of carefully cut and assembled paper. Putting them together takes time, precision, and a cool temperament as mistakes are nearly inevitable yet not necessarily disastrous. Costs range from $43.74 for the theme park to 60,000 yen ($504) for Aburaya.

[Via Hobby Link, Japan, AmiAmi, Hobby Search and Amazon.com]