Japan’s unique anime studio Studio Ghibli Japan’s unique anime studio

Japanese anime in general “Anime” to Americans means Japanese animation, with certain stylistics noted; “anime” to Japanese means any type of worldwide animation Anime bears a close relationship to Japanese manga, i.e., comic books…which, by the way, embrace all genres and are not just for children! Anime is viewed in Japan as a part of their art heritage, drawing on Japanese art forms over many centuries Japanese anime artists are held in high regard; some are quite famous in Japan Common thematic motifs are post-apocalyptic worlds, robots that blur the distinction between human and machine, and the great heroes and epic tales from Japanese history The drawing style tends to emphasize certain body features—e.g., large eyes, slender builds Studio Ghibli is unique among anime studios—a “kinder, gentler” approach

Studio ghibli Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, with funding from the publishing company by Tokuma Shoten. Co-principals Miyazaki and Takahata already had well-established careers in film and television animation “Ghibli” is Italian for the sirocco, Mediterranean wind; it was also the nickname of an Italian WWII fighter plane that Miyazaki admired NOTE that airplanes, and flying in general, have been a motif of Ghibli films, notably Miyazaki’s films The studio still relies primarily on hand-drawn animation, but began to incorporate some computer-generated elements with Princess Mononoke (1997) The studio itself is quite small…a “boutique” studio The Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, which opened in 2001, is a popular tourist destination

Hayao miyazaki Born in 1941, Tokyo; obviously, he grew up in a troubled post-war Japan He attended Gakushuin University, graduating with degrees in political science and economics; but he pursued manga art starting in high school Worked for a number of studios, including Toei Animation, before founding Ghibli He is the most famous and beloved animator in Japan When compared to Walt Disney, he objects, indicating that Disney was a (big) businessman, whereas he is a (humble) artist Indeed, Miyazaki is intimately involved in all his films—writing, directing, drawing…they are all his personal vision He has announced his retirement several times, but always comes back to work

Perhaps Miyazaki’s most iconic image…from My Neighbor Totoro

Motifs of hayao miyazaki Flying – airplanes, witched, human, castles, you name it Female protagonists – When asked why nearly all his films feature core, often powerful female protagonists, Miyazaki has said it’s because this is not the norm…it would not be “very interesting” to have adult male protagonists, because that has been done so often. Miyazaki is an intuitive feminist. The delicate balance between nature and technology The environmentalist message of Princess Mononoke In Spirited Away, even the spirit world has complex machinery Howl’s Moving Castle creates a mechanical world that transcends the real “Magical Unrealism”?? – Fantasy is used broadly, but metaphorically, with real- world implications Kiki’s Delivery Service – a witch in a realist European city Spirited Away – just beyond the edge of a realistic family outing lies an alternate reality filled with monsters and spirits

Isao takahata “I am so glad I can make so many people happy.” Born in 1935; had some memories of WWII, which would color his works He graduates from the University of Tokyo with a degree in French literature Inspired by French animation, he sought employment as a director of anime, and landed at Toei Animation He is not an artist, unusual among anime directors Influenced by Italian Neorealism and French New Wave, his films are not based in fantasy, but rather are set in realistic environments (exception—Pom Poko) “I am so glad I can make so many people happy.”

Isao takahata Grave of the Fireflies – The saddest movie Dr. N. has ever seen.

Studio ghibli The studio has released 17 feature anime films since 1985:

Film Release date Director Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Music Feature films Castle in the Sky August 2, 1986 Hayao Miyazaki Isao Takahata Joe Hisaishi Grave of the Fireflies April 16, 1988 Toru Hara Michio Mamiya My Neighbor Totoro Kiki's Delivery Service July 29, 1989 Only Yesterday July 20, 1991 Toshio Suzuki Katz Hoshi Porco Rosso July 28, 1992 Pom Poko July 16, 1994 Kōryū, Manto Watanabe, Yōko Ino, Masaru Gotō, Ryōjirō Furusawa Whisper of the Heart July 15, 1995 Yoshifumi Kondō Yuji Nomi Princess Mononoke July 12, 1997 My Neighbors the Yamadas July 17, 1999 Akiko Yano Spirited Away July 27, 2001 The Cat Returns July 19, 2002 Hiroyuki Morita Reiko Yoshida Toshio Suzuki and Nozomu Takahashi Howl's Moving Castle November 20, 2004 Tales from Earthsea July 29, 2006 Gorō Miyazaki Gorō Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa Tamiya Terashima Ponyo July 19, 2008 Arrietty July 17, 2010 Hiromasa Yonebayashi Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa Cécile Corbel From Up on Poppy Hill July 16, 2011 Satoshi Takebe Television films Ocean Waves May 5, 1993 Tomomi Mochizuki Kaori Nakamura Nozomu Takahashi Shigeru Nagata In production The Wind Is Rising[11] 2013 (Summer) The Tale of Princess Kaguya[11] 2013 (Fall) Isao Takahata and Riko Sakaguchi Seiichiro Ujiie

More on miyazaki: Click for an interview with Hayao Miyazaki for BBC television Also see: Spirited Away DVD extra on making of...includes behind-the-scenes footage of Miyazaki at work animating,, cooking, ADRing, Foley, and music recording

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