Level 5’s upcoming RPG heading to the Nintendo DS, Ninokuni, is looking amazing, especially thanks to the visual work that Studio Ghibli is providing for the title.

Studio Ghibli, the famed Japanese animation studio responsible for My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, amongst many others, are working with Level 5 (Dark Cloud, Professor Layton and the Curious Village) to create Ninokuni, which is shaping up to look just as distinctive as both of the company’s previous signature works combined, as the latest screenshots released by Famitsu can attest.

In Ninokuni, players take on the role of Oliver as he uses a special magic book to take part in battles in the game, while the game itself will ship with a real booklet (to represent the in-game magic book) which will be required to play, which includes hints, a bestiary and other information to help players progress through the adventure.

Ninokuni is expected to release on the DS in Japan this year, while a release date for the rest of the world is unknown. Check out the rest of the screenshots from Ninokuni below:

Source: Famitsu via Kotaku