Studio Ghibli
{{Short description|Japanese animation studio}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Studio Ghibli, Inc.
| logo = File:Studio Ghibli logo.svg
| logo_caption =
| image = Studio_Ghibli_studio_3.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = Headquarters in Koganei, Tokyo
| native_name = 株式会社スタジオジブリ
| native_name_lang = ja
| romanized_name = Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Jiburi
| type = Subsidiary
| genre = Anime
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1985|6|15}},
in Tokyo, Japan
| founders = {{unbulleted list|Hayao Miyazaki|Toshio Suzuki|Isao Takahata|Yasuyoshi Tokuma}}
| hq_location = Kajino-chō
| location_city = Koganei, Tokyo
| location_country = Japan
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{ubl|Hayao Miyazaki
(Honorary chairman)|Toshio Suzuki
(chairman)|Hiroyuki Fukuda
(president)|Kiyofumi Nakajima (vice president)|Gorō Miyazaki
(Director)}}
| num_employees_year = 2023
| industry = {{hlist|Motion pictures|Video games|TV commercials}}
| predecessor = Topcraft
| net_income = {{up}}{{JPY|3.43 billion}} (2023)
| assets = {{up}}{{JPY|31.179 billion}} (2023){{Cite web |title=インターネット版官報 |url=https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/20230727/20230727g00157/20230727g001570069f.html |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=kanpou.npb.go.jp |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820165339/https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/20230727/20230727g00157/20230727g001570069f.html |url-status=dead }}
| subsid = Studio Kajino
| parent = {{ubl|Tokuma Shoten (1985–2005)|Nippon Television Network Corporation (2023–present, 42.3%)}}
| products = Animated feature films, animated short films, television films, commercials, live-action films
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.ghibli.jp/}}
}}
{{nihongo|Studio Ghibli, Inc.|株式会社スタジオジブリ|Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Jiburi|lead=yes}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghibli.jp/profile/|title=スタジオジブリの概要 - スタジオジブリ|Studio Ghibli|access-date=March 10, 2022|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026154720/http://www.ghibli.jp/30profile/000156.html|url-status=live}} is a Japanese animation studio based in Koganei, Tokyo."Studio Ghibli Collection - Madman Entertainment". Studio Ghibli Collection - Madman Entertainment. Retrieved 2020-12-14. It has a strong presence in the animation industry and has expanded its portfolio to include various media such as short subjects, television commercials and two television films. Their work has been well received by both critics and audiences and recognized with numerous awards. Their mascot and most recognizable symbol, the character Totoro from the 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro, is a giant spirit inspired by raccoon dogs (tanuki) and cats (neko).{{Cite web |last=Esmeralda |first=Jade Nicolette |date=April 17, 2017 |title=Studio Ghibli: 15 Things You Never Knew About My Neighbor Totoro |url=https://screenrant.com/my-neighbor-totoro-trivia-facts-studio-ghibli-miyazaki/ |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=April 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418232304/https://screenrant.com/my-neighbor-totoro-trivia-facts-studio-ghibli-miyazaki/ |url-status=dead }} Among the studio's highest-grossing films are Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo (2008), and The Boy and the Heron (2023).{{Cite web |last=Gama |first=Daniela |date=2024-01-11 |title=The 15 Highest-Grossing Studio Ghibli Movies of All Time, Ranked |url=https://collider.com/studio-ghibli-movies-highest-grossing-ranked/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229232933/https://collider.com/studio-ghibli-movies-highest-grossing-ranked/ |url-status=live }} Studio Ghibli was founded on June 15, 1985, by the directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki, after acquiring Topcraft's assets.
Four of the studio's films are among the ten highest-grossing Japanese feature films; Spirited Away is third, grossing 31.68 billion yen in Japan and over US$380 million worldwide. Three of their films have won the Animage Grand Prix award, four have won the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and seven{{cn|date=December 2024}} have received Academy Award nominations. Spirited Away won the 2002 Golden Bear and the 2003 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.{{Cite news|url=https://www.tofugu.com/japan/studio-ghibli/|title=Everything You Need to Know About Studio Ghibli|last=John|date=November 22, 2011|work=Tofugu|access-date=May 3, 2018|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508114549/https://www.tofugu.com/japan/studio-ghibli/|archive-date=May 8, 2018}} The Boy and the Heron won the 2024 Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film,{{Cite news |date=2024-01-08 |title=Hayao Miyazaki wins Golden Globe for The Boy and the Heron |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67909246 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116203259/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67909246 |url-status=live }} BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film,{{cite web|last=Wise|first=Damon|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/baftas-hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-breaks-hollywood-hold-on-animation-category-1235830004/|title=BAFTAs: Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy And The Heron' Breaks Hollywood's Hold On Animation Category|work=Deadline|date=February 18, 2024|access-date=February 18, 2024|archive-date=February 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218180653/https://deadline.com/2024/02/baftas-hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-breaks-hollywood-hold-on-animation-category-1235830004/|url-status=live}} and the 2024 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2024/artisans/awards/oscars-hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-1235937629/|title='The Boy and the Heron' Delivers Hayao Miyazaki His Second Oscar|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|date=March 10, 2024|magazine=Variety|access-date=March 11, 2024|archive-date=March 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311150529/https://variety.com/2024/artisans/awards/oscars-hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-1235937629/|url-status=live}}
Name
The name "Ghibli" was chosen by Miyazaki from the Italian noun {{lang|it|ghibli}} (also used in English), the nickname of Italy's Saharan scouting plane Caproni Ca.309, in turn derived from the Italianization of the Libyan Arabic name for a hot desert wind ({{lang|ayl|قبلي}} {{lang|ayl-Latn|qibliyy}}). The name was chosen by Miyazaki due to his passion for aircraft and for the idea that the studio would "blow a new wind through the anime industry".The Birth of Studio Ghibli, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind DVD, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 2005. Although the Italian word would be more accurately transliterated as {{nihongo|"Giburi"|ギブリ}}, with a hard g sound, the studio's name is written in Japanese as {{nihongo|Jiburi|ジブリ||{{IPA|ja|dʑiꜜbɯɾi||ja-Ghibli.oga}}}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.ghibli.jp/40qa/000002.html |script-title=ja:ジブリという名前の由来は? |access-date=September 3, 2013 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730122625/http://www.ghibli.jp/40qa/000002.html#more |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |url-status=bot: unknown}}
History
=Tokuma Shoten era=
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 150
| image1 = Hayao Miyazaki cropped 1 Hayao Miyazaki 201211.jpg |caption1=Hayao Miyazaki
| image2 = Toshio Suzuki, Howl's Moving Castle premiere.jpg |caption2=Toshio Suzuki
| image3 = Isao Takahata.jpg |caption3=Isao Takahata
| footer = Miyazaki, Suzuki, and Takahata founded Studio Ghibli in 1985, alongside Yasuyoshi Tokuma.}}
Founded on June 15, 1985, Studio Ghibli was headed by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. Miyazaki and Takahata had already had long careers in Japanese film and television animation and had worked together on The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun in 1968 and the Panda! Go, Panda! films in 1972 and 1973. Suzuki had been an editor at Tokuma Shoten's Animage manga magazine.{{cite press release |id={{ProQuest|2794953208}} |title=Toshio Suzuki Returns as Studio Ghibli President |work=Jiji Press English News Service |date=4 April 2023 |publisher=Studio Ghibli }}
The studio was founded after the success of the 1984 film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Suzuki was part of the film's production team, and founded Studio Ghibli with Miyazaki, who also invited Takahata to join them.{{Cite web |title=Isao Takahata // Miyazaki's Colleagues // Nausicaa.net |url=http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/takahata/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=www.nausicaa.net |archive-date=November 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120134844/http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/takahata/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Who's Who // Nausicaa.net |url=http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/whoswho/#suzuki |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=www.nausicaa.net |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025210559/http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/whoswho/#suzuki |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-21 |title=Studio Ghibli {{!}} History, Film, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Studio-Ghibli |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130170620/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Studio-Ghibli |url-status=live }}
The studio has mainly produced films by Miyazaki, with the second most prolific director being Takahata (most notably with Grave of the Fireflies). Other directors who have worked with Studio Ghibli include Yoshifumi Kondō, Hiroyuki Morita, Gorō Miyazaki, and Hiromasa Yonebayashi. Composer Joe Hisaishi has provided the soundtracks for most of Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli films. In their book Anime Classics Zettai!, Brian Camp and Julie Davis made note of Michiyo Yasuda as "a mainstay of Studio Ghibli's extraordinary design and production team".{{cite book |last1=Camp |first1=Brian |last2=Davis |first2=Julie |date=September 15, 2007 |title=Anime Classics Zettai |url=https://archive.org/details/animeclassicszet0000camp/page/292 |page=[https://archive.org/details/animeclassicszet0000camp/page/292 292] |location=Berkeley California |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |isbn=978-1-933330-22-8 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |url-access=registration }} At one time the studio was based in Kichijōji, Musashino, Tokyo."The Animerica Interview: Takahata and Nosaka: Two Grave Voices in Animation." Animerica. Volume 2, No. 11. Page 11. Translated by Animerica from: Takahata, Isao. Eiga o Tsukurinagara, Kangaeta Koto ("Things I Thought While Making Movies") Tokuma Shoten, 1991. Originally published in Animage, June 1987. This is a translation of a 1987 conversation between Takahata and Akiyuki Nosaka. "Kichijoji is the Tokyo area where "Studio Ghibli," frequent Takahata collaborator Hayao Miyazaki's studio, is located.
In August 1996, The Walt Disney Company and Tokuma Shoten formed a partnership wherein Walt Disney Studios would be the sole international distributor for Tokuma Shoten's Studio Ghibli animated films. Under this agreement, Disney also agreed to finance 10% of the studio's production costs.{{Cite web|last=Hill|first=Jim|date=April 14, 2020|title=The Making of Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" -- Part 1|url=https://jimhillmedia.com/the-making-of-hayao-miyazakis-spirited-away-part-5/|access-date=October 11, 2020|website=jimhillmedia.com|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330025215/http://jimhillmedia.com/alumni1/b/michael_howe/archive/2003/04/15/1391.aspx|url-status=live}} Since then, all three of the aforementioned films by Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli that were previously dubbed by Streamline Pictures have been re-dubbed by Disney.{{cite news|title=August Issue News Section:Disney Will Distribute Japanese Animation|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.5/articles/newsmag1.5.html|access-date=July 19, 2011|newspaper=Animation World Magazine|date=August 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929163204/http://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.5/articles/newsmag1.5.html|archive-date=September 29, 2013|url-status=live}} On June 1, 1997, Tokuma Shoten Publishing consolidated its media operations by merging Studio Ghibli, Tokuma Shoten Intermedia software and Tokuma International under one location.{{cite news|last1=Karrfalt|first1=Wayne|title=Tokuma looks to merge film, media distribution|url=http://nausicaa.tzone.org/miyazaki/disney/media-coverage2.html|access-date=May 21, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 27, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305123810/http://nausicaa.tzone.org/miyazaki/disney/media-coverage2.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}
Over the years, there has been a close relationship between Studio Ghibli and the magazine Animage, which regularly runs exclusive articles on the studio and its members in a section titled "Ghibli Notes". Artwork from Ghibli's films and other works are frequently featured on the cover of the magazine. Saeko Himuro's novel Umi ga Kikoeru was serialised in the magazine and subsequently adapted into Ocean Waves, Studio Ghibli's first animated feature-length film created for television. It was directed by Tomomi Mochizuki.{{cite web|url=http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/umi/faq.html|title=Umi ga Kikoeru: Frequently Asked Questions|last=Toyama|first=Ryoko|publisher=Nausicaa.net|access-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820014631/http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/umi/faq.html|archive-date=August 20, 2017|url-status=live}}
In October 2001, the Ghibli Museum opened in Mitaka, Tokyo.{{cite web|title=Japan, 18–28 April 2003|url=https://japan.fjordaan.net/03_ghibli.html|publisher=fjordaan.net|access-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201002759/http://japan.fjordaan.net/03_ghibli.html|archive-date=December 1, 2014|url-status=live}} It contains exhibits based on Studio Ghibli films and shows animations, including a number of short Studio Ghibli films not available elsewhere.
The studio is also known for its strict "no-edits" policy in licensing their films abroad due to Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind being heavily edited for the film's release in the United States as Warriors of the Wind.{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Kevin T. |date=2022-08-15 |title=The History of Naussica's Infamous First Dub |url=https://gamerant.com/naussicaa-first-dub-history/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Moon |first=Kat |date=2021-07-20 |title=How Spirited Away Changed Animation Forever |url=https://time.com/6081937/spirited-away-changed-animation-studio-ghibli/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |magazine=TIME |language=en |quote=Miyazaki was wary of foreign distribution for his films after the director’s 1984 movie Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was infamously edited by Manson International for its U.S. release. A full 22 minutes were cut from the original film, and it was promoted as Warriors of the Wind with posters featuring male characters who do not appear in the movie.}}
=Independent era=
Between 1999 and 2005, Studio Ghibli was a subsidiary brand of Tokuma Shoten; however, that partnership ended in April 2005, when Studio Ghibli was spun off from Tokuma Shoten and was re-established as an independent company with relocated headquarters.{{Cite web |last=Zatychies |first=Maki |date=2020-06-03 |title=Disney Changed Studio Ghibli Movies Without Permission |url=https://screenrant.com/studio-ghibli-movies-disney-changes-kikis-delivery-service/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |quote=As of 2005, Studio Ghibli separated from Tokuma Shoten but retained its contract with Disney.}}
On February 1, 2008, Toshio Suzuki stepped down from the position of Studio Ghibli president, which he had held since 2005, and Koji Hoshino (former president of Walt Disney Japan) took over. Suzuki said he wanted to improve films with his own hands as a producer, rather than demanding this from his employees. Suzuki decided to hand over the presidency to Hoshino because Hoshino has helped Studio Ghibli to sell its videos since 1996 and has also aided the release of the Princess Mononoke film in the United States.{{cite web |url=https://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/news/20080201mog00m200025000c.html |script-title=ja:スタジオジブリ社長に星野康二氏 |access-date=February 1, 2008 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202055310/http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/news/20080201mog00m200025000c.html |archive-date=February 2, 2008}} Suzuki still serves on the company's board of directors.{{Cite web |last=Loo |first=Egan |date=2024-11-12 |title=Ghibli Head Suzuki Steps Down, Remains as Producer |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-02-01/ghibli-head-suzuki-steps-down-remains-as-producer |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}
Takahata developed a project for release after Gorō Miyazaki's (director of Tales from Earthsea and Hayao's son) The Tale of the Princess Kaguya – an adaptation of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. Miyazaki announced his retirement with The Wind Rises which is about the Mitsubishi A6M Zero and its creator,{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/studio-ghiblis-next-film-is-about-japans-most-famous-fi-5928160|title=Studio Ghibli's Next Film is about Japan's Most Famous Fighter Plane (and the Guy who Designed It)|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|date=July 23, 2012|work=Kotaku|access-date=September 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002014343/http://kotaku.com/5928160/studio-ghiblis-next-film-is-about-japans-most-famous-fighter-plane-and-the-guy-who-designed-it|archive-date=October 2, 2012|url-status=live}} but returned with The Boy and the Heron in 2023, earning the director his second Academy Award.
On Sunday, September 1, 2013, Hayao Miyazaki held a press conference in Venice to confirm his retirement, saying: "I know I've said I would retire many times in the past. Many of you must think, 'Once again.' But this time I am quite serious."{{cite magazine|last=Highfill|first=Samantha|date=September 6, 2013|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/09/06/hayao-miyazaki-retirement/|title=Hayao Miyazaki on his retirement: 'This time I am quite serious'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 27, 2019|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021053757/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/09/06/hayao-miyazaki-retirement/|url-status=dead}}
In 2013, a documentary directed by Mami Sunada called {{nihongo|The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness|夢と狂気の王国|Yume to kyōki no ōkoku|lead=yes}} was created delving into the lives of those working at Studio Ghibli and the productions of the animated films The Wind Rises and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, including storyboard sketching, inking, painting, and voice actor selection for the films.{{cite news|last=Debruge|first=Peter|title=Toronto Film Review: 'The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness'|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/toronto-film-review-the-kingdom-of-dreams-and-madness-1201298114/|newspaper=Variety|date=4 September 2014|access-date=19 September 2015|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102171211/https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/toronto-film-review-the-kingdom-of-dreams-and-madness-1201298114/|url-status=live}}
On January 31, 2014, it was announced that Gorō Miyazaki will direct his first anime television series, Sanzoku no Musume Rōnya, an adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's Ronia the Robber's Daughter for NHK. The series is computer-animated, produced by Polygon Pictures, and co-produced by Studio Ghibli.{{cite news |title=Goro Miyazaki to Direct Ronia the Robber's Daughter TV Anime |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-30/goro-miyazaki-to-direct-ronia-the-robber-daughter-tv-anime |work=Anime News Network |date=January 30, 2014 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209014555/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-30/goro-miyazaki-to-direct-ronia-the-robber-daughter-tv-anime |archive-date=February 9, 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ppi.co.jp/news_release/press_release20140131ronja/|title=Polygon Pictures to Create Animation Under Goro Miyazaki's Direction, The Animated TV Series Ronia, the Robber's Daughter, Premiering on NHK BS in Autumn 2014|publisher=Polygon Pictures|date=January 31, 2014|access-date=February 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223025317/http://www.ppi.co.jp/news_release/press_release20140131ronja/|archive-date=February 23, 2014|url-status=live}}
In March 2014, Toshio Suzuki retired as producer and assumed the new position of general manager. Yoshiaki Nishimura replaced Suzuki in the producer role.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-09/ghibli-co-founder-toshio-suzuki-retires-as-producer|title=Ghibli Co-Founder Toshio Suzuki Retires as Producer|date=March 9, 2014|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=March 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309120723/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-09/ghibli-co-founder-toshio-suzuki-retires-as-producer|archive-date=March 9, 2014|url-status=live}}
On August 3, 2014, Toshio Suzuki announced that Studio Ghibli would take a "brief pause" to re-evaluate and restructure in the wake of Miyazaki's retirement. He stated some concerns about where the company would go in the future.{{cite web|url=https://www.mbs.jp/jounetsu-old/2014/08_03.shtml|title=Toshio Suzuki スタジオジブリを背負った男。ヒットメーカー・鈴木敏夫のプロデューサー哲学に迫る|date=August 3, 2014|publisher=MBS|access-date=August 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806174825/http://www.mbs.jp/jounetsu/2014/08_03.shtml|archive-date=August 6, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Schilling |first=Mark |date=August 3, 2014 |title=Japan's Studio Ghibli Envisages Short Break, not Imminent Closure |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/japans-studio-ghibli-envisages-short-break-not-imminent-closure-1201274707/ |newspaper=Variety |publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818220832/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/japans-studio-ghibli-envisages-short-break-not-imminent-closure-1201274707/ |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28637750|title=Spirited Away maker Studio Ghibli halts production|date=August 4, 2014|publisher=BBC News|access-date=February 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417023015/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28637750|archive-date=April 17, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/11001081/Studio-Ghibli-may-stop-making-films.html|title=Studio Ghibli may stop making films|first=Alice|last=Vincent|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=August 4, 2014|access-date=February 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803233550/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/11001081/Studio-Ghibli-may-stop-making-films.html|archive-date=August 3, 2014|url-status=live}} This led to speculation that Studio Ghibli will never produce another feature film again. On November 7, 2014, Miyazaki stated, "That was not my intention, though. All I did was announce that I would be retiring and not making any more features."{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-hayao-miyazaki-honorary-oscar-governors-awards-20141108-story.html|title=Hayao Miyazaki isn't making features but is at work on a manga|date=November 7, 2014|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113091513/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-hayao-miyazaki-honorary-oscar-governors-awards-20141108-story.html|archive-date=November 13, 2014|url-status=live}} Lead producer Yoshiaki Nishimura among several other staffers from Ghibli, such as director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, left to found Studio Ponoc in April 2015, working on the film Mary and the Witch's Flower.{{Cite web |date=2019-01-16 |title=Studio Ghibli is back. But Hayao Miyazaki's former colleagues are taking anime in new directions |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-studio-ponoc-anime-modest-hereos-a8726761.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Independent |language=en |quote=The result is Studio Ponoc, which began life in 2015 in Kichijoji, a neighbourhood in western Tokyo that’s home to the Ghibli Museum and a major centre for Japanese animation. Despite a tough start – low budgets and a reported staff of “two to three” – Ponoc quickly expanded its workforce to more than 400.}}
The 2016 animated fantasy film The Red Turtle, directed and co-written by Dutch-British animator Michaël Dudok de Wit in his feature film debut, was a co-production between Studio Ghibli and Wild Bunch.{{cite web|url=https://www.sonyclassics.com/theredturtle/theredturtle_presskit.pdf|title=The Red Turtle: A film by Michael Dudok De Wit|publisher=Sony Pictures Classics|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116152501/http://sonyclassics.com/theredturtle/theredturtle_presskit.pdf|quote=a Why Not Productions – Wild Bunch – Studio Ghibli – CN4 Productions – Arte France Cinema – Belvision Coproduction – with the support of Eurimages – with the participation of Canal+ – Ciné+ – Arte France – Region Poitou-Charentes – Departement de la Charente – Region Wallonne – Fondation Gan pour le cinema – in association with Cinemage 9 – Palatine Etoile 11 – Palatine Etoile 12 – BNP Paribas Fortis Film Finance|page=2|url-status=dead}}
In February 2017, Toshio Suzuki announced that Hayao Miyazaki had come out of retirement to direct a new feature film with Studio Ghibli.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-02-24/ghibli-producer-suzuki-hayao-miyazaki-is-preparing-to-work-on-new-feature-film/.112659|title=Ghibli Producer Suzuki: Hayao Miyazaki is Preparing to Work on New Feature Film|date=February 24, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301184250/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-02-24/ghibli-producer-suzuki-hayao-miyazaki-is-preparing-to-work-on-new-feature-film/.112659|archive-date=March 1, 2017|url-status=live}}
On November 28, 2017, Koji Hoshino stepped down as president; he was replaced by Kiyofumi Nakajima (former Ghibli Museum director). Hoshino was then appointed as Chairman of Studio Ghibli.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/asia/kiyofumi-nakajima-appointed-studio-ghilbi-president-1202626756/|title=Kiyofumi Nakajima Appointed as Studio Ghilbi President|last=Schilling|first=Mark|date=November 30, 2017|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=June 24, 2019|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225185455/https://variety.com/2017/film/asia/kiyofumi-nakajima-appointed-studio-ghilbi-president-1202626756/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-11-28/studio-ghibli-appoints-kiyofumi-nakajima-as-new-president/.124586|title=Studio Ghibli Appoints Kiyofumi Nakajima as New President|date=November 28, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201182947/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-11-28/studio-ghibli-appoints-kiyofumi-nakajima-as-new-president/.124586|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}
In May 2020, Toshio Suzuki confirmed that a new film from Gorō Miyazaki is in development at Studio Ghibli. On June 3, 2020, Studio Ghibli announced that the film would be an adaptation of the novel Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones. The film was announced as the first full 3D CG animated Ghibli film and slated for a television premiere on NHK in late 2020.{{cite news|title=Ghibli, Goro Miyazaki Make CG Anime of Earwig and the Witch Novel by Howl's Moving Castle's Diana Wynne Jones|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-03/ghibli-goro-miyazaki-make-cg-anime-of-earwig-and-the-witch-novel-by-howl-moving-castle-diana-wynne-jones/.160215|access-date=June 3, 2020|publisher=Anime News Network|date=June 3, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603071511/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-03/ghibli-goro-miyazaki-make-cg-anime-of-earwig-and-the-witch-novel-by-howl-moving-castle-diana-wynne-jones/.160215|url-status=live}} The company had a net income of {{JPY|1.253 billion}}, and a total asset worth {{JPY|24.521 billion}} by August 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-13 |title=スタジオジブリ、第19期決算を官報に掲載 当期純利益は12億円 {{!}} オタク産業通信 :ゲーム、マンガ、アニメ、ノベルの業界ニュース |url=https://otakuindustry.biz/archives/118941 |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=otakuindustry.biz |language=ja |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820163413/https://otakuindustry.biz/archives/118941 |url-status=live }}
On November 1, 2022, the Studio Ghibli themed amusement park Ghibli Park opened.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Maggie Hiufu |date=1 November 2022 |title=Japan's long-awaited Ghibli Park is now open |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/ghibli-park-japan-opens/index.html |access-date=1 November 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101104153/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/ghibli-park-japan-opens/index.html |url-status=live }}
On April 4, 2023, Koji Hoshino announced that he had stepped down as chairman, and would serve as a representative director before planning to exit Studio Ghibli completely during the company's annual general shareholder's meeting in June, one month prior to the release of director Hayao Miyazaki's final movie The Boy and the Heron on July 14. He also announced that Toshio Suzuki would be replacing Kiyofumi Nakajima as president of Studio Ghibli, assuming the role for the first time since 2008, while Nakajima would continue to serve as a director.{{Cite web |last=Hoshino |first=Koji |date=4 April 2023 |title=Greetings |url=https://www.ghibli.jp/info/013737/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |publisher=Studio Ghibli |language=ja |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404161840/https://www.ghibli.jp/info/013737/ |url-status=live }} This change of management came about amidst reports that Suzuki had allegedly been mismanaging company funds by directing them towards his girlfriend's failed business ventures. This reportedly created tension between Suzuki and Hoshino, with the latter reportedly citing it as a long-term internal problem at the company since the couple met in 2013 and was the reason for his planned departure from the company, although a spokesperson for Studio Ghibli in a statement to Variety denied that Hoshino's departure had anything to do with these reports.{{Cite web |date=28 March 2023 |script-title=ja:ジブリ生みの親・鈴木敏夫氏がタイ人女性にベタ惚れで内部崩壊! タイで公認レストラン経営、未経験で写真家に起用、社長を更迭、公私混同すぎる驚きの振る舞い |author= |url=https://www.jprime.jp/articles/-/27340 |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Shukan Josei PRIME |language=ja |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404161843/https://www.jprime.jp/articles/-/27340 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Leung |first=Hilary |date=28 March 2023 |title=Studio Ghibli President Ousted as Co-Founder Spends Company Money on Girlfriend |url=https://www.cbr.com/studio-ghibli-president-ousted-co-founder-spends-money-girlfriend/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404161840/https://www.cbr.com/studio-ghibli-president-ousted-co-founder-spends-money-girlfriend/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=4 April 2023 |title=Studio Ghibli President Hoshino Koji Resigns |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/asia/studio-ghibli-hoshino-koji-1235572918/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Variety |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405102714/https://variety.com/2023/film/asia/studio-ghibli-hoshino-koji-1235572918/ |url-status=live }} The source of the allegations came from the tabloid paper, Shūkan Josei and was not corroborated by the mainstream media in Japan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-04-04/ghibli-founder-toshio-suzuki-replaces-koji-hoshino-as-studio-president/.196768|title=Ghibli Founder Toshio Suzuki Replaces Koji Hoshino as Studio President|date=June 23, 2023|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 20, 2023|archive-date=May 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520021216/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-04-04/ghibli-founder-toshio-suzuki-replaces-koji-hoshino-as-studio-president/.196768|url-status=live}}
=Nippon Television era=
File:Goro Miyazaki accepting the Palme d'or at 2024 Cannes Film Festival (cropped).jpg accepting the honorary Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival]]
In October 2023, the studio became a subsidiary of Nippon Television Holdings, Inc.. Studio Ghibli's leadership transitioned to Hiroyuki Fukuda, a senior executive at NTV. Toshio Suzuki became chairman and Hayao Miyazaki became Honorary Chairman. Nippon TV acquired a 42.3% stake in Studio Ghibli. The decision was driven by the advanced ages of Miyazaki and Suzuki, aged 82 and 75, respectively. The studio had considered Miyazaki's son, Goro Miyazaki, as a successor but opted for external leadership due to concerns and Goro's reluctance. NTV started to handle management, allowing Studio Ghibli to focus on creative endeavors.{{Cite web |last1=Inoue |first1=Yukana |last2=Benoza |first2=Kathleen |date=2023-09-21 |title=Studio Ghibli set to become subsidiary of Nippon TV |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/09/21/companies/nippon-tv-ghibli-acquisition/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=The Japan Times |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921182705/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/09/21/companies/nippon-tv-ghibli-acquisition/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Takai |first=Shinichi |title=日本テレビによるスタジオジブリの株式取得に関するお知らせ |url=https://www.ghibli.jp/info/013778/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Studio Ghibli |language=ja |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921093423/https://www.ghibli.jp/info/013778/ |url-status=live }} The takeover took effect on October 6.{{Cite web |last=Nishimura |first=Karyn |title=Hayao Miyazaki : Ghibli, c'est toujours lui |url=https://www.liberation.fr/culture/cinema/hayao-miyazaki-ghibli-cest-toujours-lui-20231002_YPOC7QDDAVBAFEPSZ6IFRPLS5U/ |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=Libération |language=fr |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003161104/https://www.liberation.fr/culture/cinema/hayao-miyazaki-ghibli-cest-toujours-lui-20231002_YPOC7QDDAVBAFEPSZ6IFRPLS5U/ |url-status=live }}
In 2024, the studio received an honorary Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the first film production company to receive the award.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/studio-ghibli-honorary-palme-d-or-of-the-77th-festival-de-cannes/|title=Studio Ghibli Honorary Palme d'Or of the 77th Festival de Cannes|date=April 17, 2024|magazine=Cannes Film Festival|access-date=April 17, 2024|archive-date=April 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418025431/https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/studio-ghibli-honorary-palme-d-or-of-the-77th-festival-de-cannes/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/studio-ghibli-honorary-cannes-palme-dor-1235875858/|title=Studio Ghibli to Receive Honorary Cannes Palme d'Or|last=Roxborough|first=Scott|date=March 10, 2024|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 17, 2024|archive-date=April 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417153318/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/studio-ghibli-honorary-cannes-palme-dor-1235875858/|url-status=live}}
Distribution rights
=Theatrical and home media rights=
==Japan==
In Japan, most of the company's films are distributed by Toho theatrically, except for Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service (which were distributed by Toei Company along with Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind) and My Neighbors the Yamadas, which was distributed by Shochiku.
For home media, a majority of Studio Ghibli releases are distributed by Walt Disney Studios Japan.{{cite web|title=The Disney-Tokuma Deal|url=http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/disney/|website=nausicaa.net|access-date= August 8, 2014|date=September 10, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229011953/http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/disney/|archive-date=December 29, 2010|url-status=live}} Pony Canyon occasionally releases Ghibli documentaries on home media, and distributes rental versions of Ghibli's movies under a deal with Disney.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} Pony Canyon also fully distributed the standalone version of Earwig and the Witch on home media.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
Before the Disney deal, Tokuma Shoten released Ghibli movies themselves through their "Animage Video" imprint, as well as all LaserDisc releases of the movies, as the Disney deal did not include that format.
==International==
After purchasing the global distribution rights from World Film Corporation,{{cite news |title=Manson to distrib animated 'Nausicaa' |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=15 December 1983 |page=4 }} Manson International and Showmen, Inc. produced a 95-minute English dub of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, titled Warriors of the Wind,{{cite web |title=Warriors of the wind : a.k.a., Nausicaa / a co-production of Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., and Hakuhodo Co., Ltd. ; production Yasuyoshi Tokuma and Michitaka Kondo ; producer, Isao Takahata. |url= https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=1&ti=1,1&Search_Arg=%22showmen%20inc%20&Search_Code=FT*&CNT=25&PID=1svC8kvNcg-toUiMCySqcZi4mYiNI&SEQ=20230914225039&SID=2 |website=Copyright.gov |publisher=United States Copyright Office |access-date=14 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230915025642/https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=1&ti=1,1&Search_Arg=%22showmen%20inc%22&Search_Code=FT%2A&CNT=25&PID=1svC8kvNcg-toUiMCySqcZi4mYiNI&SEQ=20230914225039&SID=2 |archive-date= 15 September 2023|url-status=dead}} which was released theatrically in the United States by New World Pictures on June 14, 1985, followed by a VHS release in December 1985.{{cite news |title=US theatrical releases in June |publisher=Screen International |date=8 June 1985 |page=12 |quote="New World: "Warriors Of The Wind" (Opens June 14, Florida only)"}}{{cite news |title=In-Video Feature Chart |publisher=Boxoffice |date=1 December 1985 |page=13 }} The voice actors and actresses were not credited, and the film was heavily edited to give it a faster pace.{{cite news |title=Manson International arrives at MIFED in a state of change|publisher=Screen International |date=27 October 1984 |page=220 |quote="It was dubbed in the US and shortened from two hours to one and a half hours to quicken the pacing."}} The film received a PG rating just like Disney's later English dub.{{cite web |url=http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/nausicaa/faq.html#warrior |title=FAQ |publisher=Nausicaa.net |access-date=June 30, 2008 | url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509104203/http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/nausicaa/faq.html#warrior |archive-date=May 9, 2008 }} By removing several of the longer dialogue scenes, some of the environmentalist themes were simplified as was the main subplot of the Ohmu, altered to remove Nausicaä's childhood connection to them.{{cite web |last1=Venom138 |title=Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Comparison: Old International Version - Original Version) - Movie-Censorship.com |url=https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=834 |website=Movie-Censorship |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101151708/https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=834 |url-status=live }} Most of the characters' names were changed, including the titular character who became Princess Zandra. The North American poster and VHS cover featured a cadre of male characters who are not in the film, riding the resurrected God Warrior—including a still-living Warrior shown briefly in a flashback. Overall, approximately 22 minutes was cut for North American release. Warriors of the Wind also prompted Miyazaki to allow translator Toren Smith of Studio Proteus to create an official, faithful translation of the Nausicaä manga for Viz Media.{{cite journal |last=Smith |first=Toren |title=Site COMIC BOX |date=January 1, 1995 | script-title=ja:英語圏にも広がる新しい宮崎世代 |trans-title=The New Miyazaki Generation Spreading Even into English Speaking Countries. |url=https://www.comicbox.co.jp/comicbox/column/backnumber.html |language=ja |journal=Comic Box |publisher=Fusion Products |issue=98 |pages=44–47 |access-date=November 19, 2013 | url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205614/http://www.comicbox.co.jp/comicbox/column/backnumber.html |archive-date=September 23, 2015 }}
In the late 1980s, an English dub of Castle in the Sky was produced for international Japan Airlines flights at the request of Tokuma Shoten. The Castle dub was briefly screened in the United States by Streamline Pictures. Carl Macek, the head of Streamline, was disappointed with this dub, deeming it "adequate, but clumsy".{{cite news|last=Macek|first=Carl|title=ANN Cast Episode 23|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2014-01-09|work=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2014|time=48:49|quote=We didn't dub it. Streamline didn't dub it. And I told the people at Tokuma Shoten that I thought the dubbing was marginal on Laputa and I thought that it could be a better product if they had a better dubbing... To me, there's a certain element of class that you can bring to a project. Laputa is a very classy film, so it required a classy dub and the dub given to that particular film was adequate but clumsy. I didn't like it all... It's not something that I appreciated intellectually as well as aesthetically.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110221759/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2014-01-09|archive-date=January 10, 2014|url-status=live}} Following this, Tokuma allowed Streamline to dub their future acquisitions My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service. In April 1993, Troma Films, under their 50th St. Films banner, distributed the Totoro dub as a theatrical release, and the dub was later released onto VHS and eventually onto DVD by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. In the early 1990s, an English dub of Porco Rosso was produced by Ward Sexton in Japan, again for international Japan Airlines flights.{{cite book |last1=Reed |first1=Philip J |editor1-last=Durham |editor1-first=Gabe |title=Resident Evil |date=2020 |publisher=Boss Fight Books |isbn=978-1-940535-25-8 |edition=First |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4I_zDwAAQBAJ |access-date=March 19, 2023 |language=English |chapter=In the Mouth of Madness}}{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Philip J. |title=REactors |url=https://noiselesschatter.com/2020/05/18/reactors/ |website=Noiseless Chatter |access-date=January 19, 2024 |date=May 18, 2020 |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119172325/https://noiselesschatter.com/2020/05/18/reactors/ |url-status=live }} The original dubs can be seen on the 1996 Ghibli ga Ippai Laserdisc set, the initial copies for the Japanese DVD releases of Totoro, Laputa and Porco, and Fox's VHS and DVD release of Totoro.
In 1996, Walt Disney Studios acquired worldwide distribution rights to the Studio Ghibli library, with Disney redubbing all previously dubbed films.{{Cite news|last=Pollack|first=Andrew|date=July 24, 1996|title=Disney in Pact for Films of the Top Animator in Japan|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/24/business/disney-in-pact-for-films-of-the-top-animator-in-japan.html|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603190332/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/24/business/disney-in-pact-for-films-of-the-top-animator-in-japan.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=GKIDS Takes Over U.S. Studio Ghibli Distribution From Disney|url=https://kotaku.com/gkids-takes-over-u-s-studio-ghibli-distribution-from-d-1797730952|last=D'Anastasio|first=Cecilia|date=August 10, 2017|website=kotaku.com|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807155235/https://kotaku.com/gkids-takes-over-u-s-studio-ghibli-distribution-from-d-1797730952|url-status=live}} In addition, Walt Disney Studios Japan agreed to contribute 10% of the funding for all future releases, starting with My Neighbors the Yamadas, in exchange for right of first refusal regarding international distribution. Disney continues with this practice to this day, even extending it to the works of Studio Ponoc and to co-productions like The Red Turtle in Japan. It reportedly took four years for Disney and Studio Ghibli to reach a distribution deal. Originally, the Ghibli films were meant to headline a line of videos called Animation Celebration, highlighting critically acclaimed animated films from around the world. These plans never materialized in full, but the Animation Celebration logo can be seen on Disney's original VHS release of Kiki's Delivery Service. During Disney's tenure, the studio produced the English dubs and released 15 of Ghibli's films, plus Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, through the Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista Home Video, Miramax (now-owned by Paramount) and Touchstone Pictures banners.{{Cite web|title=The long, ugly history between Disney and Studio Ghibli|url=https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/5/27/21272224/disney-studio-ghibli-partnership-dubs-history|last=Spiegel|first=Josh|date=May 27, 2020|website=polygon.com|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603003621/https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/5/27/21272224/disney-studio-ghibli-partnership-dubs-history|url-status=live}}
Disney and Ghibli have also selectively chosen not to promote and record an English-dubbed version for films and works deemed less internationally marketable, including some of Takahata's more developmental and obscure pieces.{{cite journal | last1=Rendell | first1=James | last2=Denison | first2=Rayna |author2-link=Rayna Denison |title=Introducing Studio Ghibli | journal=East Asian Journal of Popular Culture | volume=4 | issue=1 | date=2018-04-01 | issn=2051-7084 | doi=10.1386/eapc.4.1.5_2 | pages=5–14 |doi-access=free}} Although the Studio has a "No cuts" policy in terms of international versions and dubs, this does not apply to promotional posters, etc., for which the film makers collaborate with Disney to produce cultural appropriate international versions. The Studio has not shied away from rebranding on the international stage in order to convey tweaked promotional imagery for different cultural norms. One example of these tweaks to international promotional materials can be seen between the Japanese and English versions of the movie poster for Spirited Away (2001). For American and other English-speaking audiences, the name of the film was changed from the Japanese version, which directly translates roughly to, "The Disappearance of Chihiro and Sen", to Spirited Away to suggest more mystical, otherworldly themes, since the direct Japanese translation could be taken to mean that Chihiro/Sen disappeared due to some more dangerous reason. On the American movie poster, more pictures of spirits from the film were added to the background to further pique the viewer's interest with more supernatural themes, creating an association between the pictures spirits and what most American people would think of as "ghosts". For the Japanese poster, there are fewer spirits as the Japanese Shinto religion normalizes the existence of spirits, so less emphasis is needed to convey the importance of non-human spirits. Also, Disney enlarged the "Studio Ghibli" and "Hayao Miyazaki" labels on the poster, helping to bring greater awareness to the studio through the success of Spirited Away.{{cite journal | last=Carter | first=Laz | title=Marketing anime to a global audience: A paratextual analysis of promotional materials from Spirited Away | journal=East Asian Journal of Popular Culture | volume=4 | issue=1 | date=2018-04-01 | issn=2051-7084 | doi=10.1386/eapc.4.1.47_1 | pages=47–59 |doi-access=free}}
In 2011, GKIDS acquired the North American theatrical distribution rights of the aforementioned Ghibli films, with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment retaining the home video rights.{{Cite news|last=Marechal|first=AJ|date=September 7, 2011|title=GKids to release Miyazaki toons in U.S.|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/gkids-to-release-miyazaki-toons-in-u-s-1118042372/|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222115730/http://variety.com/2011/film/news/gkids-to-release-miyazaki-toons-in-u-s-1118042372/|url-status=live}} Afterwards, in 2013, GKIDS acquired the US and Canadian distribution rights to From Up on Poppy Hill. The film, which Disney passed on to GKIDS due to dealing with potential incest, marked the first time since 1996 that Disney handed a Studio Ghibli film off to another distributor. Afterwards, GKIDS would go on to distribute the films Disney found to be too mature or unmarketable for American audiences: Only Yesterday, Ocean Waves, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There. In July 2017, Disney relinquished its home video rights (with the exception of The Wind Rises, which remained with Disney until 2020 due to a distribution clause) to GKIDS, which handles all theatrical and home media distribution of Ghibli films in North America along with Mary and the Witch's Flower. Nevertheless, Disney still continues to handle select distribution in Japan (home media), Taiwan and China (Both under Buena Vista International brand).
GKIDS' home media releases have been handled by multiple distributors. Cinedigm distributed the home media release of Poppy Hill, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment distributed the home media releases of Kaguya, Marnie, Mary, Yesterday and Waves, and Shout! Factory all subsequent releases thus far. The Ghibli films owned by GKIDS were made available for digital purchases on most major services in the United States and Canada on December 17, 2019, through Shout! Factory.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/17/21026683/studio-ghibli-movies-digital-purchase-streaming-hbo-max-grave-of-fireflies | title = Studio Ghibli movies are finally available to purchase digitally — but missing a major title | first = Julia | last = Alexander | date = December 17, 2019 | access-date = December 17, 2019 | work = The Verge | archive-date = December 17, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191217221649/https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/17/21026683/studio-ghibli-movies-digital-purchase-streaming-hbo-max-grave-of-fireflies | url-status = live }}
Outside Asia (including Japan) and North America since 2003, Goodfellas (a former subsidiary of Wild Bunch, formerly known as Wild Bunch International) has been Studio Ghibli's international sales holder.{{Cite web |last=Keslassy |first=Elsa |date=2023-03-29 |title=Wild Bunch International Renames Itself as Goodfellas |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/wild-bunch-international-renames-goodfellas-1235567894/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Individual rights to Ghibli's films are held by various third parties, including Elysian Film Group and Anonymous Content (United Kingdom and Ireland),{{efn|Currently, this deal only includes Earwig and the Witch (owned solely by Elysian), My Neighbor Totoro (under the title My Neighbour Totoro),{{cite web|title=Studio Ghibli Classic My Neighbour Totoro Confirmed For UK Re-Release In Cinemas This Summer|website=Empire|first=Jordan|last=King|date=4 July 2024|access-date=26 July 2024|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/studio-ghibli-classic-my-neighbour-totoro-confirmed-for-uk-re-release-in-cinemas-this-summer/|archive-date=July 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726213113/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/studio-ghibli-classic-my-neighbour-totoro-confirmed-for-uk-re-release-in-cinemas-this-summer/|url-status=live}} Spirited Away,{{cite web|title=Two Studio Ghibli classics are coming back to UK cinemas|website=Digital Spy|first=Joe|last=Anderton|date=20 October 2024|access-date=3 November 2024|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a62660379/spirited-away-howls-moving-castle-uk-cinemas/}} Howl's Moving Castle and The Boy and the Heron (under a three-way partnership with Bleecker Street{{Cite web |last=Rosser |first=Michael |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy And The Heron' lands UK-Ireland distribution |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-lands-uk-ireland-distribution/5185852.article |date=2023-09-12 |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Screen Daily |language=en |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927075357/https://www.screendaily.com/news/hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-lands-uk-ireland-distribution/5185852.article |url-status=live }}). StudioCanal UK formerly distributed Ghibli's films in the United Kingdom, until the contract ended following a lawsuit between them and Goodfellas in December 2022. The StudioCanal deal also included DVD and Blu-ray distribution of The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun and The Castle of Cagliostro, the first full-length feature films directed by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, respectively.}} Wild Bunch (France and Belgium),{{efn|Home video rights are held by Wild Bunch subsidiary Wild Side, with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as distributor.}}{{cite web|last1=Hopewell|first1=John|last2=Keslassy|first2=Elsa|title=Wild Bunch, Miyazaki Re-Team on The Wind Rises|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/global/wild-bunch-miyazaki-re-team-on-the-wind-rises-1200581548/|website=Variety.com|publisher=Variety|access-date=August 8, 2014|date=August 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208004451/https://variety.com/2013/film/global/wild-bunch-miyazaki-re-team-on-the-wind-rises-1200581548/|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=live}} Leonine (Germany), Gutek Film (Poland), Lucky Red (Italy), Vértigo Films (Spain),{{efn|Co-distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment as of 2018.}} Crunchyroll Store Australia (Australia and New Zealand){{efn|Until 2019, Madman Entertainment through its former Madman Anime Group division handled distribution of Ghibli's films in Australia and New Zealand.}} and Encore Films/mm2 Entertainment{{efn|Currently, the Encore Films deal only covers current releases where titles are theatrically co-distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures in India as well as key markets in Southeast Asia beginning with The Boy and the Heron while mm2 handles catalog distribution in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Cambodia.{{Cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=Naman|title=Miyazaki Hayao's Studio Ghibli, MM2 Ink Southeast Asia Distribution Deal|website=Variety.com|publisher=Variety|access-date=November 3, 2024|date=October 3, 2024|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/miyazaki-hayao-studio-ghibli-southeast-asia-rerelease-1236166940/|archive-date=October 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006234915/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/miyazaki-hayao-studio-ghibli-southeast-asia-rerelease-1236166940/|url-status=live}}}} in Southeast Asia.
Notably, The Secret World of Arrietty received a second dub exclusive to the United Kingdom, produced by StudioCanal UK, likely due to the film's origins being from Mary Norton's British novel The Borrowers.
Disney formerly held international sales rights until they were sold off to Goodfellas (then Wild Bunch) in 2003. Disney kept the French distribution rights to Ghibli's library until September 2020, when it had expired and transitioned off to Wild Bunch.{{cite tweet|number=1304350606837067776|user=WildBunch|title=Wild Bunch est fier de retrouver son...|date=September 11, 2020}} Since 2021, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment serves as the home media distributor of Studio Ghibli's catalog via its distribution deal with Wild Bunch through the Wild Side Vidéo label.{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/f168541-voyage-de-chihiro.html|title=Le Voyage de Chihiro (2001) - Blu-ray|date=December 2, 2021|website=DVD.fr|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219182954/https://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/f168541-voyage-de-chihiro.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/f168542-mon-voisin-totoro.html|title=Mon Voisin Totoro (1988) - Blu-ray|date=December 2, 2021|website=DVD.fr|access-date=December 2, 2021|archive-date=December 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202083615/https://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/f168542-mon-voisin-totoro.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/f168545-kiki-la-petite-sorciere.html|title=Kiki, la petite sorcière (1989) - Blu-ray|date=December 2, 2021|website=DVD.fr|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219181409/https://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/f168545-kiki-la-petite-sorciere.html|url-status=live}}
=Streaming rights=
Prior to 2019, Studio Ghibli opted not to make its films available digitally, feeling that physical media and theatrical events like GKIDS' Studio Ghibli Fest would work more towards their goal of mindful care and curation for their films. Disney had previously lobbied for a streaming deal with Ghibli during their distribution tenure, but such attempts were never materialized. The studio heads changed their minds after hearing a quote from American actor and director Woody Allen about how there should be multiple outlets for feature films.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/movies/studio-ghibli-hbo-max.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527184004/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/movies/studio-ghibli-hbo-max.html |archive-date=2020-05-27 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=How Studio Ghibli Went From Streaming Holdout to HBO Max Star|last=Sperling|first=Nicole|date=May 27, 2020|website=The New York Times|language=en|access-date=July 3, 2020}}
On October 17, 2019, Warner Bros. Discovery's HBO Max (now Max) announced it had acquired exclusive streaming rights to Studio Ghibli's catalogue in the United States as part of a deal with GKIDS; these films were available when the service launched in May 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max-studio-ghibli-streaming-rights-1202762553/|title=HBO Max Acquires U.S. Streaming Rights To Studio Ghibli Library|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=October 17, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-date=December 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227221342/https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max-studio-ghibli-streaming-rights-1202762553/|url-status=live}} On January 20, 2020, it was announced that Netflix acquired the exclusive streaming rights to this catalogue in all regions where it operates except for the United States (in which Netflix does have streaming rights to The Castle of Cagliostro and Mary and the Witch's Flower), as part of a deal with Ghibli's international sales rights partner Wild Bunch. Seven of twenty-one films in the studio's catalogue were released on February 1, 2020, with the others following on March 1 and April 1.{{cite news|last1=Tartaglione|first1=Nancy|date=February 1, 2020|title=Netflix To Add 21 Animated Films From Japan's Legendary Studio Ghibli|language=en|work=Chaospin|url=https://chaospin.com/studio-ghibli-films-release-library-netflix-february-2020/|access-date=June 15, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924012845/https://chaospin.com/studio-ghibli-films-release-library-netflix-february-2020/|url-status=live}} Netflix then struck a separate deal with GKIDS for streaming rights in Canada which was announced on June 22, and came into effect on June 25 for most films.{{cite web|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/06/22/netflix-canada-studio-ghibli-films/|title=Netflix Canada to stream 21 Studio Ghibli movies starting on June 25|first=Bradly|last=Shankar|work=MobileSyrup|date=June 22, 2020|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623020658/https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/06/22/netflix-canada-studio-ghibli-films/|url-status=live}} As of 2024, no streaming rights deals have yet been announced for Studio Ghibli's home country of Japan, nor for markets such as China where neither Netflix nor HBO Max is available.
=''Grave of the Fireflies''=
Most of the above deals exclude Grave of the Fireflies; unlike most of the other films, which were published by Tokuma Shoten, Grave of the Fireflies was produced and is owned by Shinchosha, which also had published the short story it was based on, and as such, fell into different rights holdings. It was released in Japan on VHS by Buena Vista Home Entertainment under the Ghibli ga Ippai Collection on August 7, 1998. On July 29, 2005, a DVD release was distributed through Warner Home Video. Walt Disney Studios Japan released the complete collector's edition DVD on August 6, 2008. Walt Disney Studios Japan released the film on Blu-ray twice on July 18, 2012: one as a single release, and one in a two-film set with My Neighbor Totoro.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} StudioCanal released a Blu-ray in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-06-29/kiki-delivery-service-and-grave-of-the-fireflies-double-play-released-monday |title=Kiki's Delivery Service and Grave of the Fireflies Double Play Released Monday (Updated) |work=Anime News Network |access-date=December 27, 2014 |date=June 29, 2013 |first=Andrew |last=Osmond |author-link=Andrew Osmond (journalist) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204201939/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-06-29/kiki-delivery-service-and-grave-of-the-fireflies-double-play-released-monday |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |url-status=live }} Madman Entertainment released the film in Australia and New Zealand.{{Cite web |last=Hayward |first=Jon |date=2024-11-12 |title=Madman to Screen Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata Theatrical Showcase in Australia |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-01/madman-to-screen-hayao-miyazaki-and-isao-takahata-theatrical-showcase-in-australia/.78245 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}
It was released on VHS in North America by Central Park Media in a subtitled form on June 2, 1993.{{cite journal |title=Animerica |volume=1 |issue=4 |date= June 1993 |page=18 |publisher=Viz Media |issn=1067-0831|title-link=Animerica |journal=Animerica: Anime & Manga Monthly }} They later released the film with an English dub on VHS on September 1, 1998 (the same day Disney released Kiki's Delivery Service in North America) and an all-Regions DVD (which also included the original Japanese with English subtitles) on October 7 the same year. It was later released on a two-disc DVD set (which once again included both the English dub and the original Japanese with English subtitles as well as the film's storyboards with the second disc containing more extensive Bonus Features) on October 8, 2002. It was released by Central Park Media one last time on December 7, 2004. Following the May 2009 bankruptcy and liquidation of Central Park Media,{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-28/central-park-media-files-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy |title=Central Park Media Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy |work=Anime News Network |first=Egan |last=Loo |date=April 28, 2009 |access-date=July 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704155908/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-28/central-park-media-files-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |url-status=live }} ADV Films acquired the rights and re-released it on DVD on July 7, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-05/adv-adds-grave-of-the-fireflies-now-and-then-here-and-there|title=ADV Adds Grave of the Fireflies, Now and Then, Here and There|date=May 5, 2009|access-date=November 24, 2012|work=Anime News Network|first=Egan|last=Loo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129075349/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-05/adv-adds-grave-of-the-fireflies-now-and-then-here-and-there|archive-date=November 29, 2012|url-status=live}} Following the September 1, 2009 shutdown and re-branding of ADV,{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-01/adv-films-shuts-down-transfers-assets-to-other-companies|title=ADV Films Shuts Down, Transfers Assets to Other Companies|work=Anime News Network|date=September 1, 2009|access-date=January 25, 2010|first=Egan|last=Loo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003054028/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-01/adv-films-shuts-down-transfers-assets-to-other-companies|archive-date=October 3, 2009|url-status=live}} their successor, Sentai Filmworks, rescued the film and released a remastered DVD on March 6, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/grave-of-the-fireflies/dvd-remastered-edition|title=Review: Grave of the Fireflies: DVD – Remastered Edition|last=Martin|first=Theron|date=March 5, 2012|access-date=November 22, 2012|work=Anime News Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107054812/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/grave-of-the-fireflies/dvd-remastered-edition|archive-date=November 7, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Sentai Filmworks Adds Grave of the Fireflies|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-12-01/sentai-filmworks-adds-ghibli-grave-of-the-fireflies|work=Anime News Network|access-date=December 1, 2011|date=December 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202131501/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-12-01/sentai-filmworks-adds-ghibli-grave-of-the-fireflies|archive-date=December 2, 2011|url-status=live}} A Blu-ray edition was released on November 20, 2012, featuring an all-new English dub produced by Seraphim Digital, along with a digital release that same year.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Grave-Fireflies-Blu-ray-Artist-Provided/dp/B008XEZXRA|title=Grave of the Fireflies [Blu-ray] (2012)|website=Amazon|date=November 20, 2012 |access-date=November 22, 2012|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528211422/https://www.amazon.com/Grave-Fireflies-Blu-ray-Artist-Provided/dp/B008XEZXRA|url-status=live}} Netflix acquired the distribution rights to the film in 2024 and began featuring it for digital streaming outside of Japan on September 16, 2024.{{cite web |last=Merican |first=Sara |title=Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies sets Netflix release date |website=Deadline |date=2024-08-20 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/studio-ghibli-grave-of-the-fireflies-netflix-1236044697/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919113624/https://deadline.com/2024/08/studio-ghibli-grave-of-the-fireflies-netflix-1236044697/ |url-status=live }}
Selected works
{{Main list|List of Studio Ghibli works}}
{{divcol|colwidth=30em}}
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind{{nbsp}}(1984)
- Castle in the Sky{{nbsp}}(1986)
- Grave of the Fireflies{{nbsp}}(1988)
- My Neighbor Totoro{{nbsp}}(1988)
- Kiki's Delivery Service{{nbsp}}(1989)
- Only Yesterday{{nbsp}}(1991)
- Porco Rosso{{nbsp}}(1992)
- Ocean Waves{{nbsp}}(1993)
- Pom Poko{{nbsp}}(1994)
- Whisper of the Heart{{nbsp}}(1995)
- Princess Mononoke{{nbsp}}(1997)
- My Neighbors the Yamadas{{nbsp}}(1999)
- Spirited Away{{nbsp}}(2001)
- The Cat Returns{{nbsp}}(2002)
- Howl's Moving Castle{{nbsp}}(2004)
- Tales from Earthsea{{nbsp}}(2006)
- Ponyo{{nbsp}}(2008)
- Arrietty{{nbsp}}(2010)
- From Up on Poppy Hill{{nbsp}}(2011)
- The Wind Rises{{nbsp}}(2013)
- The Tale of the Princess Kaguya{{nbsp}}(2013)
- When Marnie Was There{{nbsp}}(2014)
- The Red Turtle{{nbsp}}(2016){{efn|Co-production with Wild Bunch}}
- Earwig and the Witch{{nbsp}}(2020)
- The Boy and the Heron{{nbsp}}(2023)
{{div col end}}
Style and themes
{{Further|Hayao Miyazaki#Themes}}
Studio Ghibli films are mostly hand-drawn using rich watercolor and acrylic paints. The films use traditional methods of making animation where every frame is drawn and colored by hand. Computer animation techniques are used sparingly.{{Cite magazine |title=How Spirited Away Changed Animation Forever |url=https://time.com/6081937/spirited-away-changed-animation-studio-ghibli/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |magazine=Time |date=July 20, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805005044/https://time.com/6081937/spirited-away-changed-animation-studio-ghibli/ |url-status=live }} All the Studio Ghibli films use bright colors, and have a "whimsical and joyful aesthetic". Studio Ghibli's art style tends to be more of a cozy European style that put a lot of undertones on the background and nature in the scene.{{Cite journal |last=Swale |first=Alistair |date=2015-07-03 |title=Miyazaki Hayao and the Aesthetics of Imagination: Nostalgia and Memory in Spirited Away |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/10357823.2015.1056086 |journal=Asian Studies Review |volume=39 |issue=3 |pages=413–429 |doi=10.1080/10357823.2015.1056086 |s2cid=141591201 |issn=1035-7823 |access-date=May 2, 2023 |archive-date=February 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205040414/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10357823.2015.1056086 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }} A notable exception is The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, directed by Takahata, which departs from Ghibli's typical style by employing a soft watercolor palette and storybook-like aesthetic reminiscent of Japanese folk art. This approach aimed to reflect the emotions and inner struggles of the characters and highlight the hand-drawn animation.{{Cite news |title=The Tale of Studio Ghibli |url=https://www.economist.com/prospero/2014/12/16/the-tale-of-studio-ghibli |access-date=2024-11-09 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613 |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|1637656876}} |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331091722/https://www.economist.com/prospero/2014/12/16/the-tale-of-studio-ghibli |url-status=live }}
The films often focus on the lives of youth, especially school children. Common themes include the risks posed by progress to tradition,{{Cite web|last=Barnett|first=David|title=Studio Ghibli films: An indispensable guide|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200123-studio-ghibli-an-indispensable-guide|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-12|website=BBC|date=January 27, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112003416/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200123-studio-ghibli-an-indispensable-guide}} environmentalism and the natural world,{{Cite news|last=Thomson|first=Jonny|date=October 18, 2021|title=The philosophy and magic of Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli|work=BigThink|url=https://bigthink.com/high-culture/studio-ghibli/|access-date=November 12, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112003417/https://bigthink.com/high-culture/studio-ghibli/|url-status=live}} independent female protagonists,{{Cite web|last1=Alexander|first1=Julia|last2=Frank|first2=Allegra|date=2017-01-09|title=Studio Ghibli's best movies transcend simple cinema|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/9/14191220/studio-ghibli-spirited-away-princess-mononoke|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Polygon|language=en-US|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112003416/https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/9/14191220/studio-ghibli-spirited-away-princess-mononoke|url-status=live}} the cost of war, and youth.{{Cite web|title=Studio Ghibli Movies – A Deep Analysis of the Themes|url=https://popuptee.com/blogs/geeky-thoughts/studio-ghibli-movies-a-deep-analysis-of-the-themes|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Pop Up Tee|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112003421/https://popuptee.com/blogs/geeky-thoughts/studio-ghibli-movies-a-deep-analysis-of-the-themes|url-status=live}}
Music
Much of Studio Ghibli's music is composed by Joe Hisaishi, who has worked with Miyazaki on creating the music for his films for over 30 years. He uses storyboard images, provided by Miyazaki, to create an image album,{{Cite journal |last=Bellano |first=Mark |date=September 2012 |title=From Albums to Images: Studio Ghibli's Image Albums and their impact on audiovisual strategies |url=https://www.sibetrans.com/trans/articulo/404/from-albums-to-images-studio-ghibli-s-image-albums-and-their-impact-on-audiovisual-strategies |journal=TRANS-Transcultural Music Review |volume=16 |issue=10 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214050408/https://www.sibetrans.com/trans/articulo/404/from-albums-to-images-studio-ghibli-s-image-albums-and-their-impact-on-audiovisual-strategies |url-status=dead }} which is then used to build out the final soundtrack for the movie. The music has elements from Baroque counterpoint, jazz, and modal music{{Cite web |last=Laaninen |first=Mark |date=May 2020 |title=The spirit of a composer: an analysis of the works of Joe Hisaishi |url=https://soar.suny.edu/handle/20.500.12648/1506 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-date=February 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205040424/https://soar.suny.edu/handle/20.500.12648/1506 |url-status=live }} to create the unique sound that many associate with both Hisaishi and Studio Ghibli. Early on, the music in the films was known for its eclectic, synth sound, before later moving to more motivic and melody-driven music.{{Cite journal |last=Bellano |first=Marco |date=2010-01-01 |title=The Parts and the Whole. Audiovisual Strategies in the Cinema of Hayao Miyazaki and Joe Hisaishi |url=https://www.academia.edu/11555155 |journal=Animation Journal |volume=18 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-date=February 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205040610/https://www.academia.edu/11555155 |url-status=live }} Especially present in earlier years, the music does not directly relate to the emotions and rhythms happening on screen. Another defining feature is Hisaishi's unique use of leitmotif, rather than a singular song being associated with one character, the motif is the theme of the film.{{Cite web |last=Roedder |first=Alexandra Christina |date=2013 |title="Japanamerica" or "Amerijapan?" Globalization, Localization, and the Film Scoring Practices of Joe Hisaishi |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1476396384 |id={{ProQuest|1476396384}} |access-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-date=February 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205040510/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1476396384 |url-status=live }} Hisaishi began using leitmotif in Ghibli films first in Howl's Moving Castle.
See also
- Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo
- Ghibli Park in Nagakute, Aichi
- Studio Kajino, a subsidiary of Studio Ghibli
- Yasuo Ōtsuka
- Studio Ponoc, founded by former members of Studio Ghibli
- List of Japanese animation studios
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
Further reading
= Book and journal sources =
{{refbegin|30em}}
- {{cite book |last=Alpert |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Alpert |title=Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-61172-057-0}}
- {{cite book |last=Clements |first=Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan Clements |title=Anime: A History |publisher=British Film Institute |date=2013 |isbn=978-1-84457-390-5}}
- {{cite encyclopedia |last1=Clements |first1=Jonathan |author-link1=Jonathan Clements |last2=McCarthy |first2=Helen |author-link2=Helen McCarthy |title=The Anime Encyclopedia: A Century of Japanese Animation |edition=3rd |year=2015 |orig-year=2006 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |isbn=978-1-6117-2018-1 |title-link=The Anime Encyclopedia}}
- {{cite journal |last=Denison |first=Rayna |author-link=Rayna Denison |title=Star-spangled Ghibli: star voices in the American versions of Hayao Miyazaki's films |journal=Animation |volume=3 |issue=2 |date=2008 |issn=1746-8477 |doi=10.1177/1746847708091891 |pages=129–146}}
- {{cite book |last=Denison |first=Rayna |author-link=Rayna Denison |title=Anime: A Critical Introduction |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |date=2015 |isbn=978-1-4742-6915-5}}
- {{cite book |last=Denison |first=Rayna |author-link=Rayna Denison |date=2023 |title=Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-3-031-16843-7}}
- {{Cite book |title=Hayao Miyazaki: Exploring the Early Work of Japan's Greatest Animator |last=Greenberg |first=Raz |author-link=Raz Greenberg |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-5013-3594-5 |url=https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?docid=b-9781501335976&st=hayao+miyazaki }}
- {{cite book |last=Hu |first=Tze-yue G. |title=Frames of Anime: Culture and Image-Building |year=2010 |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=978-962-209-097-2}}
- {{Cite book |script-title=ja:宮崎駿全書 |title-link=The Complete Hayao Miyazaki |last=Kanō |first=Seiji |author-link=Seiji Kanō |publisher=Film Art |year=2006 |language=ja |trans-title=The Complete Hayao Miyazaki |isbn=978-4-8459-0687-1}}
- {{cite book | last=Lamarre | first=Thomas |author-link=Thomas Lamarre | title=The Anime Machine: A Media Theory of Animation |title-link=The Anime Machine | publisher=University of Minnesota Press | date=2009 | isbn=978-0-8166-5155-9}}
- {{cite book |last=McCarthy |first=Helen |author-link=Helen McCarthy |year=2002 |orig-year=1999 |title=Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation |title-link=Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |isbn=978-1-8806-5641-9}}
- {{cite journal |last1=Mes |first1=Tom |last2=Agnoli |first2=Francis M. |title=A modular genre? Problems in the reception of the post-Miyazaki 'Ghibli film' |journal=Animation |volume=16 |issue=3 |date=2021 |issn=1746-8477 |doi=10.1177/17468477211049360 |pages=207–220}}
- {{cite book |last=Miyazaki |first=Hayao |author-link=Hayao Miyazaki |script-title=ja:風の帰る場所ナウシカから千尋までの軌跡 |trans-title=Where the Wind Returns: The Path from Nausicaä to Chihiro |language=ja |year=2002 |publisher=Rockin' On |isbn=978-4-8605-2007-6}}
- {{Cite book |last=Miyazaki |first=Hayao |author-link=Hayao Miyazaki |title=Starting Point: 1979–1996 |title-link=Starting Point: 1979–1996 |publisher=Viz Media |year=2009 |orig-year=1996 |translator-last1=Cary |translator-first1=Beth |translator-last2=Schodt |translator-first2=Frederik L. |translator-link2=Frederik L. Schodt |isbn=978-1-4215-6104-2}}
- {{cite book |last=Miyazaki |first=Hayao |author-link=Hayao Miyazaki |script-title=ja:続・風の帰る場所 映画監督・宮崎駿はいかに始まり、いかに幕を引いたのか |trans-title=Where the Wind Returns Continued: How the Director Hayao Miyazaki Started and Ended |language=ja |publisher=Rockin' On |year=2013 |isbn=978-4-86052-117-2}}
- {{cite book |last=Miyazaki |first=Hayao |author-link=Hayao Miyazaki |title=Turning Point: 1997–2008 |title-link=Turning Point: 1997–2008 |publisher=Viz Media |year=2014 |orig-year=2008 |translator-last1=Cary |translator-first1=Beth |translator-last2=Schodt |translator-first2=Frederik L. |translator-link2=Frederik L. Schodt |isbn=978-1-9747-2450-5}}
- {{Cite book |last=Napier |first=Susan J. |author-link=Susan J. Napier |title=Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation |year=2005 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-4039-7051-0 |orig-year=2001 |title-link=Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke}}
- {{Cite book |title=Miyazakiworld: A Life in Art |title-link=Miyazakiworld |last=Napier |first=Susan J. |author-link=Susan J. Napier |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2018 |isbn=978-0-3002-2685-0}}
- {{cite book |editor1-last=Nardi |editor1-first=Dominic J. |editor2-last=Fancher |editor2-first=Keli |title=Studio Ghibli Animation as Adaptations: Investigating How the Japanese Animation Powerhouse Reimagines Stories |year=2025 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=979-8-7651-2708-7}}
- {{cite book |last=Norris |first=Craig |chapter=Studio Ghibli media tourism |pages=114–122 |editor-last=Freedman |editor-first=Alisa |title=Introducing Japanese Popular Culture |publisher=Routledge |date=2023 |isbn=978-1-032-29809-2}}
- {{Cite book |last1=Odell |first1=Colin |last2=Le Blanc |first2=Michelle |author1-link=Michelle Le Blanc and Colin Odell |author2-link=Michelle Le Blanc and Colin Odell |title=Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata |publisher=Kamera Books |year=2024 |orig-year=2009 |edition=4th |isbn=978-0-8573-0584-8}}
- {{cite journal |last=Rendell |first=James |last2=Denison |first2=Rayna |author2-link=Rayna Denison |title=Introducing Studio Ghibli |journal=East Asian Journal of Popular Culture |volume=4 |issue=1 |date=April 2018 |issn=2051-7084 |doi=10.1386/eapc.4.1.5_2 |doi-access=free |pages=5–14}}
- {{cite journal |last=Rendell |first=James |title=Bridge builders, world makers: transcultural Studio Ghibli fan crafting |journal=East Asian Journal of Popular Culture |volume=4 |issue=1 |date=April 2018 |issn=2051-7084 |doi=10.1386/eapc.4.1.93_1 |doi-access=free |pages=93–109}}
- {{cite journal |last1=Tvorun-Dunn |first1=Maxim |last2=Pascaru |first2=Nathalie |date=2023 |title=Environmentalism polluted: consumerism and complicity in Studio Ghibli's media mix |journal=Journal of Cultural Economy |volume=16 |issue=6 |pages=886–907 |doi=10.1080/17530350.2023.2225548|s2cid=260033531 }}
- {{cite book |last=Suzuki |first=Toshio |author-link=Toshio Suzuki |title=Mixing Work with Pleasure: My Life at Studio Ghibli |translator-last=Spears |translator-first=Roger |orig-year=2014 |publisher=Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture |year=2018 |isbn=978-4-8665-8022-7}}
- {{cite journal |last=Williams |first=Wendy R. |title=Examining Studio Ghibli's animated films: a study of students' viewing paths and creative projects |journal=Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy |volume=63 |issue=6 |date=2020 |issn=1081-3004 |doi=10.1002/jaal.1043 |pages=639–650}}
- {{cite journal |last=Yoshioka |first=Shiro |title=Toshio's movie castle: a historical overview of Studio Ghibli's collaboration and promotional strategies |journal=East Asian Journal of Popular Culture |volume=4 |issue=1 |date=April 2018 |issn=2051-7084 |doi=10.1386/eapc.4.1.15_1 |doi-access=free |pages=15–29}}
{{refend}}
= Documentaries =
{{refbegin|30em}}
- {{cite AV media | people=Arakawa, Kaku (director) | year=2016 | title=Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki | type=documentary | publisher=NHK}}
- {{cite AV media | people=Arakawa, Kaku (director) | year=2024 | title=Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron | type=documentary | publisher=Madman Entertainment}}
- {{cite AV media | people=Nonaka, Shinsuke (narrator) | year=1998 | script-title=ja:ジブリはこうして生まれた | trans-title=The Birth of Studio Ghibli | type=documentary | publisher=Nippon TV}}
- {{cite AV media | people=Sunada, Mami (director) | year=2013 | title=The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness | type=documentary | publisher=Dwango}}
{{refend}}
External links
{{Sister project links
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- {{Official website|https://www.ghibli.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{anime News Network|company|60}}
{{Studio Ghibli}}
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{{Hayao Miyazaki}}
{{Japanese animation studios}}
{{Studio Ponoc}}
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Category:Animation studios in Tokyo
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