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Studio Ghibli. Japan’s unique anime studio. Japanese anime in general. “Anime” to Americans means Japanese animation, with certain stylistics noted; “anime” to Japanese means any type of worldwide animation
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Studio Ghibli Japan’s unique anime studio
Japanese anime in general • “Anime” to Americans means Japanese animation, with certain stylistics noted; “anime” to Japanese means any type of worldwide animation • Anime bears a close relationship to Japanese manga, i.e., comic books…which, by the way, embrace all genres and are not just for children! • Anime is viewed in Japan as a part of their art heritage, drawing on Japanese art forms over many centuries • Japanese anime artists are held in high regard; some are quite famous in Japan • Common thematic motifs are post-apocalyptic worlds, robots that blur the distinction between human and machine, and the great heroes and epic tales from Japanese history • The drawing style tends to emphasize certain body features—e.g., large eyes, slender builds • Studio Ghibli is unique among anime studios—a “kinder, gentler” approach
Studio ghibli • Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, with funding from the publishing company by TokumaShoten. • Co-principals Miyazaki and Takahata already had well-established careers in film and television animation • “Ghibli” is Italian for the sirocco, Mediterranean wind; it was also the nickname of an Italian WWII fighter plane that Miyazaki admired • NOTE that airplanes, and flying in general, have been a motif of Ghibli films, notably Miyazaki’s films • The studio still relies primarily on hand-drawn animation, but began to incorporate some computer-generated elements with Princess Mononoke(1997) • The studio itself is quite small…a “boutique” studio • The Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, which opened in 2001, is a popular tourist destination
Hayaomiyazaki • Born in 1941, Tokyo; obviously, he grew up in a troubled post-war Japan • He attended Gakushuin University, graduating with degrees in political science and economics; but he pursued manga art starting in high school • Worked for a number of studios, including Toei Animation, before founding Ghibli • He is the most famous and beloved animator in Japan • When compared to Walt Disney, he objects, indicating that Disney was a (big) businessman, whereas he is a (humble) artist • Indeed, Miyazaki is intimately involved in all his films—writing, directing, drawing…they are all his personal vision • He has announced his retirement several times, but always comes back to work
Perhaps Miyazaki’s most iconic image…from My Neighbor Totoro
Motifs of hayaomiyazaki • Flying – airplanes, witched, human, castles, you name it • Female protagonists – When asked why nearly all his films feature core, often powerful female protagonists, Miyazaki has said it’s because this is not the norm…it would not be “very interesting” to have adult male protagonists, because that has been done so often. Miyazaki is an intuitive feminist. • The delicate balance between nature and technology • The environmentalist message of Princess Mononoke • In Spirited Away, even the spirit world has complex machinery • Howl’s Moving Castle creates a mechanical world that transcends the real • “Magical Unrealism”?? – Fantasy is used broadly, but metaphorically, with real-world implications • Kiki’s Delivery Service – a witch in a realist European city • Spirited Away – just beyond the edge of a realistic family outing lies an alternate reality filled with monsters and spirits
Isao takahata • Born in 1935; had some memories of WWII, which would color his works • He graduates from the University of Tokyo with a degree in French literature • Inspired by French animation, he sought employment as a director of anime, and landed at Toei Animation • He is not an artist, unusual among anime directors • Influenced by Italian Neorealism and French New Wave, his films are not based in fantasy, but rather are set in realistic environments (exception—PomPoko) “I am so glad I can make so many people happy.”
Isao takahata • Grave of the Fireflies – The saddest movie Dr. N. has ever seen.
Studio ghibli • The studio has released 17 feature anime films since 1985:
More on miyazaki: • Click for an interview with Hayao Miyazaki for BBC television • Also see: Spirited Away DVD extra on making of...includes behind-the-scenes footage of Miyazaki at work animating,, cooking, ADRing, Foley, and music recording