I've recently been obsessed with Ghibli films and music. I found some Ghibli music to listen to on my iPod and I've started to play a Ghibli medley on the piano (very terribly, I'm a terrible pianist). A few years ago, I went to the Ghibli museum in Mitaka and it was brilliant! If you also love Ghibli films just as much as I do, I'll put the details about how to get the the Ghibli museum at the end, I totoro-y loved it (that was an awful pun, I'm sorry)
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| My collection of Ghibli toys! |
The name
Who here has wondered why the studio have such as unusual name? I have. Definitely.
I thought that Ghibli was a japanese word that I was just not familiar with. But it turns out that its not a Japanese word at all. It's actually Italian, Hayao Miyazaki believed that it would 'blow a new wind into the anime industry' How metaphorical. But I believe that they have done just that with their captivating and engaging films.
The history
This studio was founded on 15 June 1985 with Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata as the directors and Toshio Suzuki as the producer. It was formed after the success of the film Nausicaa, of the Valley of the Wind, directed by Miyazaki for another film studio called Topcraft. Suzuki was a part of the production team and together along with Takahata, Studio Ghibli was formed
Most of the films were directed by Miyazaki but others were directed by other directors, for example, Hiroyuki Morita who directed my one of my favourite Ghibli films, The Cat Returns! The composer of all most of wonderful music was composed by Joe Hisaishi.
In 1996, it was agreed that Disney would distribute the films internationally so people outside Japan could enjoy the magic.
Did you know: Studio Ghibli had a close relationship with the magazine company Animage. There was a section called Ghibli Notes where they had exclusive articles of the studio. There would often be artwork in and on the cover.
The Ghibli museum was opened October 2001 where there are exhibits based on the films. There is a Catbus which you can climb into and a huge (possibly life size) robot from Laputa, Castle in the Sky. Also, they show exclusive short films that you cannot see anywhere else.
In 2005, Suzuki was made Corporation President after the studio became independent from Tokuma Shoten, an entertainment publisher. But in 2008, he stood down and Hoji Hoshino replaced him. Suzuki wanted to improve films as the producer instead of asking this from his employees. Hoji Hoshino who was the President of Walt Disney Japan, was chosen by Suzuki to become the new President as he had been helping Studio Ghibli sell their films ever since 1996
Miyazaki's son Goro directed Tales from Earthsea. Miyazaki's last time directing a film was The Wind Rises, it was released on 20 July 2013 in Japan. But sadly, on 1 September in the same year, the great Hayao Miyazaki comfirmed his retirement during a press conference.
Goro Miyazaki however directed his first anime TV series Sanzoku no musume Ronya which is based on Astrid Lindgren's story, Ronia, the Robber's daughter on 31 January 2014
Suzuki retired as producer in March 2014 and became the general manager
Due to Miyazaki's retirement, Suzuki announced that would take a 'brief pause' on August 2014 to consider where the company would go in the future. Who knows what they may do? Nobody knows. But I'm sure that people will hope that Studio Ghibli to carry on making extraordinary films.
The films
Here are some fun facts about the films
I have decided to have a few fun facts for some films that the studio has made.
Nausicaa, of the Valley of the Wind
In the American dub, Shia Labeouf voices Asbel.
When this film was to be released in the West, it was edited and rewritten. Miyazaki as asked for all films released in the West to be translated directly and for there to be no editing.
Laputa, Castle in the Sky
In the American dub, Mark Hamil voices Muska.
The foxes from Nausicaa, of the Valley of the Wind, make an appearance in the Castle.
My Neighbour Totoro
The Catbus could be based on Bakeneko, a cat from Japanese folklore where when a cat reaches a certain age, it can transform into other forms.
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| The page in the book Mei and the Kittenbus where you can see all the other forms |
There has been a short film called Mei and the Kittenbus which shows the other forms of the cats, including trains.
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| The book, Mei and the Kittenbus |
The caramel box that Mei is seen to have during the film is actually a box of Morinaga caramel that you can buy in Japan.
Princess Mononoke
It was the highest grossing film in Japan until it was beaten by Titanic
Spirited Away
Chihiro, was based on Miyazaki's friend's daughter. He wanted to create a film where the main character was just a regular 10 year old with no special abilities to show that everyone can be heroines.
The river spirit was based on Miyazaki's experience with cleaning a river
Kiki's Delivery Service
Miyazaki himself makes a cameo. In the scene after Kiki saves Tombo, a street worker shouts 'That's my broom', an animated Miyazaki is in the top right corner of that scene.
EDIT: Studio Ghibli have made some animations for the company Ito En called My Neighbour Rice Ball. Check out this link to see more! http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/09/15/studio-ghibli-introduces-new-character-my-neighbour-rice-ball-as-part-of-ad-campaign/
I will start the Ghibli Character Tournament on 12 September. Vote for your favourite character by writing their name in the comments and every week, the losers in each pair will be eliminated.
Enjoy! :)
How to get to the Studio Ghibli Museum
Go to Mitaka station from Shinjuku with the JR East Japan Chuo line
When you get to the station, exit via the South exit and from bus stop 9, there is a community bus to the Ghibli museum.
Address
1-1-83 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-shi
