Studio Ghibli, Inc. (株式会社スタジオジブリ, Kabushiki-kaisha Sutajio Jiburi?) is a Japanese animation film studio, and previously was a subsidiary of Tokuma Shoten. The company's logo features the character Totoro from Hayao Miyazaki's film My Neighbor Totoro. Several anime features created by Studio Ghibli have won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award including Laputa: Castle in the Sky in 1986, My Neighbor Totoro in 1988, and Kiki's Delivery Service in 1989. In 2002, Spirited Away won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, the first, and thus far only, anime film to win an Academy Award. The name Ghibli derives from the nickname the Italians used for their Saharan scouting planes in the Second World War (and later for the AMX International AMX and Maserati Ghibli), which is derived from the Libyan word for the sirocco.[1] Though the Italian word is pronounced with a hard /ɡ/, the Japanese pronunciation of the studio's name is with a soft g, [dʑíbɯɽi] ( listen). The theory behind the name was that the studio was blowing a new wind into the Japanese anime industry.[2] [edit] History Founded in 1985, the studio is headed by the acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki along with his faithful companion Isao Takahata, as well as the studio's executive managing director and long-time producer Toshio Suzuki. Its origins date back to 1984, with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which was popularized as a serialized manga in a publication of Tokuma Shoten's Animage magazine after the original screenplay was rejected. The film was eventually produced by Topcraft and the film's success spurred the formation of Ghibli. Much of Ghibli's works are distributed in Japan by the noted film distributor Toho. Tokuma was the parent company of Studio Ghibli, and it has provided the Walt Disney Company with the video rights to all of Ghibli's output that did not have previous international distribution, including the global, non-Japan distribution rights to Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. Miyazaki's film, Howl's Moving Castle, was based on a book by British author Diana Wynne Jones, published in several countries including Canada and the United States. Composer Joe Hisaishi has provided the soundtrack for all of Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli films. One of the most famous and lauded films from the studio that was not directed by Miyazaki is Grave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata, a film focusing on the lives of two war orphans towards the end of the Second World War in Japan. Over the years, there has been a close relationship between Studio Ghibli and the magazine Animage, which regularly runs exclusive articles about the studio and its members in a section titled "Ghibli Notes." Artwork from Ghibli's films and other works frequently graces the cover of the magazine. The company is well-known for its strict "no-edits" policy in licensing their films abroad. This was a result of the dubbing of Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind when the film was released in the United States as Warriors of the Wind. The film was heavily edited and Americanized, with significant portions cut and the plot rewritten. The "no cuts" policy was highlighted when Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein suggested editing Princess Mononoke to make it more marketable. In response, a Studio Ghibli producer sent an authentic katana with a simple message: "No cuts".[3] Miyazaki's latest film, Ponyo, was released in Japan on July 19, 2008. On February 1, 2008, Toshio Suzuki stepped down from the position of Studio Ghibli president which he 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. He has revealed that Takahata and Goro Miyazaki (director of Tales from Earthsea and Hayao's son) are developing projects for release after Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo. Suzuki decided to hand over the presidency to Hoshino because Hoshino has helped Studio Ghibli sell its videos since 1996, as well as helped to release the Princess Mononoke film in the United States.[4] [edit] Films and specials (Excluding short films or Ghibli Museum releases) [edit] Short films (TV, Theatrical, Ghibli Museum, and OVA) [edit] Music videos (Theatrical and TV) [edit] Commercials - "Sora Iro no Tane" (The Sky-Colored Seed) (1992) (TV spot for Nippon TV)
- "Nandarou" (1992) (TV commercial for NHK)
- "Hotaru No Haku" (1996) (Kinyou Roadshow houeikokuchi spot)
- "Kinyou Roadshow" (1996) (Announcement spot for Kinyou Roadshow opening)
- "Umacha" (2001) (TV commercials)
- "Shop-One" (Online Shopping Mall Announcement Spot)
- "House Shokuhin" (House Shokuhin Campaign Commercial)
- "O-uchi de Tabeyou" (House Shokuhin Series Commercial, Summer Version)
- "O-uchi de Tabeyou" (House Shokuhin Series Commercial, Winter Version)
- "Hajimaru yo, Erai Koccha-hen" (KNB YumeDigi PR Spot)
- "Kawaraban-hen" (Corporate commercial for Yomiuri Shinbubsha)
- "Dore Dore Hikkoushi-hen" (Corporate commercial for Yomiuri Shinbubsha)
- "Risona Ginkou" (Corporate commercial)
[edit] Video games [edit] Other works The works listed here consist of works that don't fall into the above categories. Many of these films have been released on DVD in Japan as part of the Ghibli Gakujutsu Library . - Sekai Waga Kokoro no Tabi (1998) (documentary following Isao Takahata to Canada to meet Frédéric Back)
- Sekai Waga Kokoro no Tabi (1999) (documentary travelling with Hayao Miyazaki as he follows the footsteps of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
- Lasseter-san, Arigatou ("Thank You, Mr. Lasseter") (2003) (thank you video created for John Lasseter)
- Yanagawa horiwari monogatari ("The Story of Yanagawa's Canals") (2003) (A documentary exploring the history of the town of Yanagawa, originally released in 1987, directed by Isao Takahata)
- Miyazaki Hayao Produce no Ichimai no CD ha Koushite Umareta (2003) (A film about Tsunehiko Kamijo's Okaasa no Shashin CD)
- Otsuka Yasuo no Ugokasu Yorokobi (2004) (A documentary about animator Yasuo Otsuka)
- Miyazaki Hayao to Ghibli Bijyutsukan (2005) (A film featuring Goro Miyazaki and Isao Takahata touring the Ghibli Museum)
- Jiburi no Eshokunin - Oga Kazuo Ten - Totoro no Mori o Kaita Hito ("A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The Man Who Painted Totoro's Forest") (2007) (A documentary to commemorate an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, featuring the work of Studio Ghibli background artist Kazuo Oga)
- Ghibli no Fuukei ("Scenery of Ghibli") (2009) (A documentary hosted by Japanese actresses Tsuruta Mayu, Natsukawa Yui and actor Tetsuta Sugimoto, that follows them around Europe and Japan matching Miyazaki's storyboards to the real world scenery and attractions that served as inspiration to the settings of his animated films)
- Suzuki Toshio no Ghibli Asemamire, 99 no Kotoba ("Suzuki Toshio's Ghibli Asemamire, 99 Words") (2009) (A compilation of 49 interviews conducted by Toshio Suzuki on his weekly radio program Ghibli Asemamire, broadcasting on Tokyo FM)
- Joe Hisaishi in Budokan - Miyazaki Anime to Tomo ni Ayunda 25 Nenkan (2009) (Concert footage of Joe Hisaishi's 3 nights at the Nippon Budokan venue in August 2008 where he played various pieces from throughout his 25 year collaboration with Studio Ghibli. Originally broadcast on NHK.)
[edit] Related works These works were not created by Studio Ghibli, but were produced by members of Topcraft that went on to create Studio Ghibli in 1985; produced by Toei Animation, Nippon Animation or other studios and featuring involvement by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, or other Ghibli staffers; or created in cooperation with Studio Ghibli. [edit] Pre-Ghibli - Sally, the Witch (魔法使いサリー, Mahōtsukai Sarī?) (1966) (by Toei Animation; Hayao Miyazaki was a key animator on this series, based on a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama.)
- Hols: Prince of the Sun (太陽の王子 ホルスの大冒険, Taiyō no Ōji: Horusu no Daibōken?) (1968) (Takahata's directorial debut; Hayao Miyazaki was chief animator, concept artist, and scene designer)
- The Secrets of Akko-chan (ひみつのアッコちゃん, Himitsu no Akko-chan?) (1969) (by Toei Animation, directed by Hiroshi Ikeda; Miyazaki was a key animator)
- Puss in Boots (長靴をはいた猫, Nagagutsu wo Haita Neko?) (1969) (Directed by Kimio Yabuki for Toei, written by Hisashi Inoue with gag supervision by Nakahara Yumihiko, key animators include Yasuo Otsuka, Yoichi Kotabe, Reiko Okuyama, Takuo Kikuchi, Akemi Ota, Hayao Miyazaki, and Akira Daikubara)
- Animal Treasure Island (1971) (Directed by Hiroshi Ikeda for Toei with idea construction by Hayao Miyazaki; Hayao Miyazaki was also scene designer and chief animator)
- Panda! Go Panda! (パンダ・コパンダ, Panda Kopanda?) (1972) (Directed by Isao Takahata and written by Hayao Miyazaki)
- 20,000 Leagues under the Sea (1972) (by Topcraft for Rankin-Bass)
- Kid Power (1972-1973) (by Topcraft for Rankin-Bass) shown on American Broadcasting Company Saturday mornings with 17 episodes.
- Heidi, Girl of the Alps (アルプスの少女ハイジ, Arupusu no Shoujo Haiji?) (1974, by Zuiyo Eizo, which later became Nippon Animation; directed by Isao Takahata)
- From the Apennines to the Andes (Haha wo Tazunete Sanzenri?) (1976, by Nippon Animation; directed by Isao Takahata; Scene setting, Layout: Hayao Miyazaki)
- The Hobbit (1977) (by Topcraft for Rankin-Bass; won the Peabody Award; artists include: Hidetoshi Kaneko, Kazuko Ito and Minoru Nishida;)
- Future Boy Conan (未来少年コナン, Mirai Shōnen Konan?) (1978) (by Nippon Animation; directed by Hayao Miyazaki, with one episode directed by Isao Takahata, and featured animation work by many future Ghibli staffers)
- Anne of Green Gables (赤毛のアン, Akage no An?) (1979) (by Nippon Animation; directed by Isao Takahata)
- Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro (ルパン三世 カリオストロの城, Rupan Sansei: Kariosutoro no Shiro?) (1979) (Miyazaki's directorial feature debut)
- The Return of the King (1980) (by Topcraft for Rankin-Bass; done by basically the same team that did The Hobbit, with the addition of Tadakatsu Yoshida)
- The Last Unicorn (1982) (by Topcraft for Rankin-Bass [1])
- The Flight of Dragons (1982) (by Topcraft for Rankin-Bass)
- Gauche the Cellist (セロ弾きのゴーシュ, Sero Hiki no Goushu?) (1982, by OH Production, directed by Isao Takahata)
- Adventures of the Little Koala (Koala Boy Kokki) (1984, by Topcraft for Tohokushinsha Film)
- Sherlock Hound (名探偵ホームズ, Meitantei Hōmuzu?) (1984, Tokyo Movie Shinsha, six episodes directed by Hayao Miyazaki)
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (風の谷のナウシカ, Kaze no tani no Naushika?) (1984, Topcraft)
- ThunderCats (1985) (an animated series created by Topcraft for Rankin-Bass)
[edit] Cooperative works [edit] Distributive works These Western animated films have been distributed by Studio Ghibli, and now through their label, Ghibli Museum Library In addition, Takahata, working with staff from the studio, contributed a segment to the 2004 experimental animation anthology Winter Days (Fuyu no Hi). [edit] Contributive works Studio Ghibli has made contributions to the following anime series and movies. [edit] See also [edit] References - ^ The Birth of Studio Ghibli, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind DVD, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 2005.
- ^ The Birth of Studio Ghibli, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind DVD, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 2005.
- ^ Brooks, Xan (2005-09-14). "A god among animators". The Guardian. http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,1569689,00.html. Retrieved 2007-05-23. "There is a rumour that when Harvey Weinstein was charged with handling the US release of Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki sent him a samurai sword in the post. Attached to the blade was a stark message: 'No cuts.' / The director chortles. 'Actually, my producer did that.'"
- ^ "スタジオジブリ社長に星野康二氏" (in Japanese). http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/news/20080201mog00m200025000c.html. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
- ^ a b "atomic popcorn". http://www.atomicpopcorn.net/studio-ghibli-to-make-the-tale-of-the-bamboo-cutter/. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
[edit] External links
| Studio Ghibli films | | | Pre-Ghibli films | | | | Studio Ghibli theatrical feature films | | | | Studio Ghibli TV feature specials | | | | Studio Ghibli co-productions | | | | Studio Ghibli shorts | | | | Studio Kajino feature films | | | | Studio Kajino co-productions | | | | Ghibli Museum Library films | | | | Studio Ghibli Video game co-productions | | | | Related articles | | | |
