LEGO fans hoping for an officially licensed Studio Ghibli set have reason for renewed optimism, as four Ghibli-themed fan designs remain in contention in the LEGO Ideas review process for 2026. LEGO Ideas allows fans to submit custom builds that, if they gain enough public support, are considered for official production, but no Ghibli set has ever been approved, largely due to the complexities of securing licensing rights directly from the Japanese animation studio rather than through an existing corporate partner such as Disney or Warner Bros.

The four surviving designs include two celebrating Studio Ghibli's 40th anniversary, alongside separate concepts based on My Neighbor Totoro and a Spirited Away-themed piggy bank featuring Chihiro and No-Face. These entered the review round announced in May 2026. While licensing hurdles have blocked previous attempts, the fact that multiple concepts, including two tied to the anniversary, have reached this stage is seen as an encouraging sign that an official Ghibli LEGO set could eventually materialise.