4th Annual A113Animation Award Nominations

New logo designed by Damien Chevrier.

It's that time of year again; we're in the throe of awards season glitz and self-congratulation - and loving every minute of it! So, it's time for us here at A113Animation to get in on the act, with our 4th Annual A113Animation Awards! The winners will be announced on Saturday 15th February, and here's the list of what's nominated (it's a slightly different line-up of awards from last year, but broadly the same).

From Up on Poppy Hill Coming to the UK (Finally!)

From Up on Poppy Hill has come and gone in the US, but come 2nd August, those of you in the UK will finally be able to share in the discussion and joy of the film too.

Studio Ghibli Murals in Japan

In celebration of the opening of The Wind Rises in a couple of weeks, 26 theatres in Japan have unveiled murals all across the country depicting images and characters from all 21 feature length Studio Ghibli films.

Just in case you need help jogging your memory on which film is which, from left to right they are: Ocean Waves, Kiki's Delivery Service, Laputa Castle in the Sky, Tales from Earthsea, From Up On Poppy Hill, Porco Rosso, Grave of the Fireflies, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, Spirited Away, Whisper of the Heart, Pom Poko, The Wind Rises, The Cat Returns, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, Only Yesterday, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, My Neighbors the Yamadas and The Borrower Arrietty.

Though there are still no release dates for the US or UK, and we only have a small teaser trailer to quench our ever thirsty animation mouths, we can look fondly at the artistry of this mural, and continue wishing we could live in Japan.

Via Twitch

From Up on Poppy Hill Review: A Grown-Up Twist on a Coming-of-Age Story

*This review is mostly spoiler free, but proceed with caution.*

Studio Ghibli has been known for its amazing imagery and intricate storytelling, incorporating everything from the supernatural (Kiki's Delivery Service), to the futuristically natural (Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind), to the anachronistically wonderful (Castle in the Sky). However, every once in a while they do something a little different. Similar in tone and approach as Only Yesterday, From Up on Poppy Hill is a rarity in the the world of animated films. It attempts to balance a coming-of-age romance story, with the pivotal self discovery of our two protagonists.