Classic RPG “EarthBound” gets major new exhibition in Tokyo this summer
A major exhibition covering the “EarthBound” video game series is set to open in Shibuya this summer.
The “MOTHER” series, known as “EarthBound” in North America, is a cult classic role-playing game franchise developed by Ape and HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo.
The “The Shape of MOTHER” exhibition will offer a rare and comprehensive look at the creative origins of the classic video game series.
The event will be organized by Hobonichi, the company founded by the series’ creator Shigesato Itoi, and will feature the first-ever public display of all 180 original official clay figures used in the development and marketing of the first two games.
“MOTHER” was the first game in the series and was released for the Family Computer (Famicom) in 1989, followed by “MOTHER 2: Giygas Strikes Back” for the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) in 1994.
The series is celebrated for its unique blend of humor and emotionally evocative storytelling, standing out from its fantasy-themed RPG contemporaries with a modern day setting.
A distinctive artistic element of the early games was the use of handcrafted clay figures to represent the characters in the games’ instruction manuals and promotional materials.
These three-dimensional representations of characters, crafted from clay and wire, have become symbols of the series’ charming and quirky world.
For years, these delicate figures have been carefully stored and preserved in a warehouse, occasionally brought out for special events or merchandise production, but never before have all 180 of them been displayed together.
The display will include figures of all the main characters, such as Ninten, Anna, Lloyd, Teddy from “MOTHER,” and Ness, Paula, Jeff, and Poo from “MOTHER 2,” as well as beloved supporting characters like Pippi and the Tonsura Brothers, and even some of the more “charming” enemy characters.
In addition to the exhibition, Hobonichi has prepared a variety of exclusive merchandise for the event.
These items are designed to allow fans to take home a piece of “The Shape of MOTHER” experience.
New products include:
- MOTHER Acrylic Stand Keychains
These blind-packaged keychains feature 30 selected clay figures from the exhibition, plus a secret design.
They will be available individually at the venue for 770 yen (approx. $5.34 USD / £3.88 GBP) or as a complete box set online for 23,870 yen (approx. $165 USD / £120 GBP).
- MOTHER Shape T-shirt
This T-shirt features an exclusive full-color visual of the official clay figures from the “MOTHER 2” instruction manual, printed on tough, American cotton fabric.
It will be available in multiple sizes for 5,500 yen (approx. $38.16 USD / £27.72 GBP).
The exhibition will be held in the Shibuya PARCO building, a hub for pop culture, gaming, and art.
Shibuya PARCO is home to a number of video game brands including the Nintendo Tokyo Store, Shibuya Pokémon Center, official stores for CAPCOM and KOEI TECMO and will soon be the home of an official SEGA store.
It provides a fitting venue to celebrate the series’ enduring legacy and the artistry behind its unique visual identity.
The exhibition will be held from Friday, July 25th, 2025, to Monday, September 8th, 2025, on the 8th floor of Shibuya PARCO.
To manage the anticipated crowds, admission for the first three days of the event, from July 25th to 27th, will require advance reservations.
Reservations will be accepted starting Tuesday, July 1st, at 11:00 AM JST.
Admission to the exhibition is 1,800 yen (approx. $12.49 USD / £9.07 GBP with free entry for elementary school students and younger.
The merchandise items that will be on sale at the event will be available for pre-sale online at the “MOTHER no Omise” (MOTHER Store) starting July 17th.
They are also scheduled to be available at other physical retail stores from July 25th, with specific locations to be announced at a later date.
Event Details
| calendar_month DATE | Jul 25 2025 - Sep 08 2025 |
|---|---|
| schedule TIME | ALL DAY |
| payments Cost | ¥1800 |
| info Website | Official Website |
| location_on Location | Shibuya PARCO |
|---|---|
| map Area | Tokyo Shibuya |
| category CATEGORY | Exhibition Gaming |
Source: Official Website
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