All posts tagged: Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki To Return To Feature Film-Making

Published by Frank Inglese

For much of our lives, humans blissfully anticipate their opportunity to retire. Work hard when you’re young, save as much money as possible, do enough so that when it comes time to retire you can do it comfortably, but there’s a part of retirement that no-one seems to foresee, and it’s boredom. Hayao Miyazaki, the Godfather of modern Anime cinema, announced his retirement some time ago alongside the internal shuffle of Studio Ghibli, but we all knew it was simply never going to last. When you’ve dedicated yourself to one art, it’s near impossible to give it up, even as the twilight years of your life start to roll around. Hayoa Miyazaki has a fire burning in his heart that will never be extinguished and that’s why he has returned to feature film making for an indefinite period of time. Since his retirement, Miyazaki has been working on a small project called “Boro The Caterpillar” which, upon completion, was to be shown as a part of the Studio Ghibli museum tour circuit. This short film …

When Marnie Was There – Review

Published by Jahanzeb Khan

Studio Ghibli films explore a range of genres and themes, but if there is one consistent trend, its the exploration of what it means to be a child in this complicated and downright cruel world. Studio Ghibli films are all about the thoughts and feelings that one experiences in their childhood, and the power of using imagination to make sense of, and if not to ease, the harshness of reality. While these films may explore the ins and out of child’s mind and perception, you need to be an adult to fully understand and appreciate their message. So in essence, Studio Ghibli films are about what it means to be a child but are made for the viewing pleasure of adults. Make sense? When Marnie Was There has just received a theatrical release in Australia, and it joins Princess Kaguya and The Wind Rises as one of Studio Ghibli’s latest efforts, and it may be a while before we see them produce anything else. Not that it’s a bad thing, because creating a masterpiece takes …

Madman Entertainment Presents: The Collected Works Of Hayao Miyazaki

Published by Frank Inglese

It’s amazing how much Hayao Miyazaki comes up in my everyday life, even when I’m not talking to other Anime fans. Maybe I’m wearing a shirt that says “Miyazaki” on the back and an elderly family member questions who or what the heck that is or means. My usual explanation starts by asking the questioner if they’re aware of Walt Disney. When they naturally say “yes” I then follow up with; “he’s like the Walt Disney of Japan” and I don’t think I’m entirely wrong. Much like ol’ Walt, Hayao Miyazaki is a man who’s captured the hearts and minds of people the world over for quite some time. Now that he’s in retirement, there’s no better time for Madman Entertainment to announce their upcoming Studio Ghibli-centric release titled “The Collected Works Of Hayao Miyazaki” which, as you can probably already tell, is a boxset of films that span the mighty mans entire career. Madman Entertainment, who’ve release all of Studio Ghibli’s films, are now putting them all together for one huge release that’ll have …

Grave Of The Fireflies Review

Published by Beau Snow

“Why do fireflies have to die so soon?” Some would say it’s not fair. As seen in Studio Ghibli’s seminal anime masterpiece Grave of the Fireflies, life isn’t fair. Based on the autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka of the same name, Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most realistic portrayals of the tragedy and struggles of living in a war torn country ever captured in film. Grave of the Fireflies is unquestionably one of the best anime films there has been or ever will be. Grave of the Fireflies is set in Japan in the time of World War 2. It follows Seita and Setsuko, a brother and sister trying to survive in these harsh times, the film explores their tragic lives as victims of war and underlines it with a sense of hope that maybe everything can be okay. Where Grave of the Fireflies cuts the deepest is in the fact that in war there is no happy endings for anyone. Seita is portrayed as a doting brother who is desperately trying to cling to any …

Toshio Suzuki Reveals That Studio Ghibli Is Indeed Open Once Again

Published by Frank Inglese

All Anime fans, great or small, should be aware of the closure of one of the industry’s most loved studios lead by two industry legends Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki. When revealed mid-way through last year that the famed Studio Ghibli was closing down and cleaning house, fans across the world bowed their heads in both reverence and sadness. The studio that brought many people so much joy for so many years looked as though it was gone forever BUT, despite the closure being officially confirmed by the heads of the Studio, the Anime-loving community were assured time and time again that this “hiatus” will not mean the end of Ghibli forever. If anything, it simplifies a new beginning. Well the destined time has finally arrived and the studio has no re-opened says Toshio Suzuki who appeared on a talk show over the weekend and had this to say: “…We’re worrying about what we should make next… When you think about the current state of the world, it’s hard to know what to make. It …

The Wind Rises Review

Published by Jahanzeb Khan

I had the pleasure of watching The Wind Rises from Studio Ghibli during its original theatrical screening back in 2013, and it was a marvellous cinematic experience that really left a lasting impression. Watching it all over again in this Blu-ray release proved to be just as absorbing and magical as the first time. This is a two hour film with a slow burn pace, and yet every inch and moment of it will draw you in. The fact that it can do so on a second viewing is a real indication of how great this animated epic is. The Wind Rises comes from the mind and genius of Hayao Miyazaki, and this film is another glowing accomplishment in his already legendary and unparalleled resume of animated classics… if not his very best one. In this film Miyazaki challenges himself by stepping away from his comfort zone to create something that is a jarring departure from anything else he has ever done. The Wind Rises is a historical animated biopic, chronicling the life Jiro Horikoshi, …

The Tale Of Princess Kaguya – Review

Published by Frank Inglese

One of the more recent Studio Ghibli films directed by Isao Takahata, ‘The Tale Of Princess Kaguya’ theatrically recreates the Japanese folkloric story originally titled ‘The Tale Of The Bamboo Cutter’. This film tells the story of a childless couple who come across a supernatural apparition which just so happens to be a baby girl smaller than the palm of a hand. Laced with lessons, morals and tender moments, ‘The Tale Of Princess Kaguya’ did not do as well as many other Studio Ghibli films and that, combined with the retiring of Hayao Miyazaki, eventually lead to the ‘temporary’ closing of Studio Ghibli. Such an unfortunate outcome. Thanks to Madman Entertainment in conjunction with the Dendy string of semi-independent movie theaters, Kane Bugeja and I were given the chance to experience the myth on the big screen. ‘The Tale Of Princess Kaguya’ follows a young girl birthed from the heavens who finds herself the daughter of a bamboo cutter and his wife. Unable to have kids, this old couple was eventually blessed by the Gods …

Goro Miyazaki: “I Can’t Be My Father”

Published by Luke Halliday

At a recent publicity event for Ronia the Robber’s Daughter, the television anime series from Polygon Pictures in association with Studio Ghibli, Goro Miyazaki the son of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki, addressed living in his fathers shadow. Goro Miyazaki has previously directed Studio Ghibli films Tales from Earthsea and From Up On Poppy Hill. During the press conference when questioned on being his father’s successor he remarked, “I can’t, and don’t, think of myself as a writer. I can’t be a post-Hayao Miyazaki, there’s no way I can.”  He went on to discuss the differences between himself and his father, “I can do work if I’m given a theme and if I have the right circumstances. I can’t be like him and have my own studio and make things from original works, from my own ideas.” This has been a question on many Ghibli fans mind and it is honestly refreshing to see Goro Miyazaki lay it on the table so honestly. Personally I find Goro’s outing in Tales from Earthsea to be one of the most interesting …

Madman Presents ‘The Tale Of Studio Ghibli’ Showcase Hitting Cinemas October/December 2014

Published by Frank Inglese

Madman Entertainment are extremely excited to announce something magical that will have Studio Ghibli fans Australia wide jumping for joy. The Australian Anime and Manga distributor have just revealed that they are in the process of planning a special theatrical run of a Studio Ghibli-centric series of documentaries that will take audiences behind-the-scenes of their favorite Ghibli productions while also showcasing the studio’s most famous men; Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. The main feature of this two week theatrical showcase is a film titled ‘The Tale Of Studio Ghibli: Celebrating The Genius Of Hayao Miyazaki And Isao Takahata’ and will be accompanied by two documentaries titled ‘The Kingdom Of Dreams And Madness’ and  ‘Isao Takahata And His Tale Of The Princess Kaguya’. THE TALE OF STUDIO GHIBLI SHOWCASE features not only their 2013 masterpieces in Takahata’s THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA and Miyazaki’s THE WIND RISES, but also the two films they each made 25 years earlier which cemented their reputations and made the name Studio Ghibli synonymous with quality – Miyazaki’s MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO and …

The Snap, Crackle and Pop Culture Show: Studio Ghibli

Published by Frank Inglese

On the very first episode of ‘The Snap, Crackle and Pop Culture Show’, Luke and Frank tune in on what is going on in recent pop culture news and talk about the massive misconception that is…the closing of Studio Ghibli. They Talk a little bit about what went down, how people reacted to the news and why some fans need to take it easy when spreading , so called, ‘news’. For some more background information on this topic I suggest you Click Here. The article featured is one that describes exactly what is going on in a basic and understandable way. -30-

Rumour Has It That Studio Ghibli May Be Taking A Well-Deserved Production Break

Published by Frank Inglese

The word ‘rumour’ is one that immediately strikes doubt into ones personal self. A synonym for ‘rumour’ is ‘gossip’ and that word is one known for it’s low level of truth so I will tread lightly with what I’m about to write within this article. Unlike other online publications, we are not making any accusations regarding the shutting down of Studio Ghibli because, let’s be honest here; that’s not what is going on. This rumour has spread over the past day, at this point in time, because of a television appearance by one Toshio Suzuki who you may know is both the co-founder and former president of the critically acclaimed production studio. Suzuki-Senpai, on this particular Japanese documentary series, made a couple simple comments about the Studio’s, let’s say, current ‘solidarity’ state that were quickly lost in translation. The internet, somewhat, exploded with talks of Studio Ghibli shutting down but what Suzuki-Senpai basically said was that some changes need to be made before they can, once again, begin working on more projects. Basically; the studio …

Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki Invited To Join U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Published by Frank Inglese

  There’s no stopping for Studio Ghibli. It was only a few days ago that Hayao Miyazaki was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall Of Fame, and now it has been revealed that the man alongside his old friend and Studio Ghibli’s general manager Toshio Suzuki have both been invited to join, as the title says; the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Joining the Academy would mean that these two industry legends will be eligible to vote for the Academy Awards. This seems like it would be a big deal for them but, reader, you must remember that Hayao Miyazaki has been invited to join the Academy many times in the past only to respectfully decline. Maybe now that Miyazaki-sensei has retired, he and Suzuki-sensei will accept the invitation to join. It has been said in the past that the reason Miyazaki declined last time was because he believed the invitation insinuated that he was near the end of his career. Sometimes things get taken out of context, he may …

Hayao Miyazaki – Welcomed into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame

Published by Frank Inglese

Ah yes, the wind truly DOES rise. For Hayao Miyazaki, this wind zooms past his feet and pushes him to legendary heights. As the co-founder of Studio Ghibli alongside his long-time friend and confidant Isao Takahata, Miyazaki-sensei has added volumes of meaning-filled content to the world of cinema. There’s something amazing about the films Hayao Miyazaki creates. He brings a sense of beauty and wonder to the screen, much like the way I believe Disney used to…unlike Disney though, Mr. Miyazaki’s films have stayed true to themselves and have continued to provide what I believe to be the most exciting movie-going experience ever. It’s just unfortunate that they barely ever get theatrical releases down here in Australia. Regardless of that, we all know Hayao Miyazaki to be animation royalty, this is a truth that cannot be disputed and it looks as though the nice people over at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame agree with me because today they have welcomed Mr. Miyazaki into their all-star ranks alongside director Steven Spielberg and writer …