Studio Ghibli's Future: What's Next for the Revered Studio?

After all the craziness that rose up recently over the alleged closure of Studio Ghibli, I was going to write an editorial mourning its closing and celebrating its legacy. Fortunately, those reports have been debunked and Studio Ghibli is still open, albeit not quite as we knew it. A restructuring is imminent and the prospect of closing down its production team is not far fetched. So now that the three people who have managed the studio for 29 years (Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki) have retired, what's next for the celebrated studio? And what can they do to avoid shutting down? We'll take a look at how things have been running and how the studio can improve those things and re-emerge as a stronger studio, ready to look into the future and continuing to provide audiences with stellar motion pictures.

BFI Studio Ghibli Feature Film Retrospective

The British Film Institute Southbank will be hosting a retrospective on Studio Ghibli's work over the last 30 years from April through May this year. Not only will they be showing all of their biggest films, but they will also be screening The Wind Rises before it even hits theatres on 9th May. Although the showing of The Wind Rises is set for 23rd April and is already sold out, there are still many films on the roster that are definitely worth taking a look particularly as these films are meant to be enjoyed on the big screen and not on a television set.

New UK Trailer and Release Date for The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises will finally show in the UK on 9th May! Thanks to The Telegraph, we also have a new trailer just for the occasion. Check it out:

The Art of The Wind Rises Book Coming Very Soon

Since it was announced that The Wind Rises would be Hayao Miyazaki's final film, I have been anticipating the release of the art book. Viz Media announced last week, via the Anime News Network, that they would be publishing The Art of The Wind Rises on 8th April - which is just days away - for the price of $34.00 USD/$39.99 CAN.

Totoro Limited Edition T-Shirts!

If you love Studio Ghibli as much as I do (and that's quite a lot), then you go out of your way to commemorate your devotion by looking for awesome fan swag all over the internet. While most people find books, toys, even plush "animals", I still think the best way to show your fanaticism is by wearing it on a t-shirt.

I woke up this morning to find that my favourite online shirt company has released, for 24 hours only, TWO limited edition Totoro designs that are just awesome. Check them out:

The way TeeFury works is simple: they release one (sometimes two) limited edition t-shirts for just 24 hours and if you purchase it for only $11 (plus shipping duh), then it's like you become part of this secret society...I may be stretching that a bit. Regardless, the designs are cool and the fact that you own one of only a few hundred prints of each shirt is kind of awesome to think about.

If you love the graphics above, act fast! There are only 13 hours left... and counting.

Toshio Suzuki of Studio Ghibli to Retire

On hearing that Hayao Miyazaki would be retiring after the completion of The Wind Rises, it was only a matter of time before the other shoe fell. And yesterday, the announcement was made: Toshio Suzuki, one of the co-founders of Studio Ghibli and producer of Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Porco Rosso, The Wind Rises, From Up on Poppy Hill, among many others, will be retiring from his post as producer at Studio Ghibli.

The Art of Kiki's Delivery Service Review

When my boyfriend got me The Art of Kiki's Delivery Service for Christmas, I was ecstatic. Kiki's Delivery Service is my favourite Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki film - though I realize it is not the best one of the bunch. It served as my first exposure to the world of Studio Ghibli, and also served to show me that I wasn't alone in adolescence. So I hold this film very close to my heart for expressing how I felt and giving me something new to love. Now, having read The Art of Kiki's Delivery Service, I feel even more strongly about my love for both Studio Ghibli and the film.

A Plea for The Wind Rises to Win the Oscar

With the Oscars right around the corner, we are all being bogged down with promotional petitions and stunts on who should win Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and on and on. Some of these promotional petitions may be re-releases, special Q&A screenings, or even sing-along versions of the films. And while I'm sure most people regard the Oscars as the ultimate authority on what merits recognition in the world of motion pictures, there has been more than one occasion where the Oscar has been awarded to what can only be regarded as the most popular film of the year, rather than the best film in the category. Unfortunately, I fear this may be another such year where the film that merits the award for Best Animated Feature will be cast aside for the more popular film of the nominations.

Frozen Wins Big at the Annie Awards

Disney's hot streak with Frozen is continuing into awards season now. The icy musical, which has now made $864 million worldwide (making it the third highest-grossing film of 2013), had a strong showing at the 41st Annie Awards (animation's self-titled "highest honour") a couple of nights ago, taking home, amongst other awards, Best Animated Feature! Check out our full breakdown of the results after the jump.

Miyazaki Un-Retiring?! Or Just a Rumor?

A Reddit article started making the rounds earlier this week citing a Japanese blogger, which claims that Hayao Miyazaki has retracted his retirement statement, made just four months ago, to work on some unknown project. Now before we begin to speculate what awesome project could possibly pull Hayao Miyazaki out of retirement, let's speculate on this bit of, still, potential news.

Studio Ghibli Announces New Film for Summer 2014!

The majority of the world still hasn't seen Hayao Miyazaki's latest and final masterpiece, The Wind Rises, nor Isao Takahata's latest, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, but that hasn't stopped Studio Ghibli from announcing their next project, due for release in Japan next Summer. The film is called When Marnie Was There, and it'll be helmed by The Secret World of Arrietty director Hiromasa Yonebayashi.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt To Front English-Language Dub of Miyazaki's The Wind Rises

Hayao Miyazaki's ostensibly final film, The Wind Rises, is earning a lot of praise right now - just yesterday it was one of five animated films to get nominated for this year's Critics' Choice Award for Best Animated Feature. As such, the English-language dub of the film isn't far off. And while English dubs are often a bit of an irritant or distraction (Spirited Away, Ponyo, etc...), this one, fronted by Internet-favourite Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is really rather exciting.

Charming New Poster for The Wind Rises

Today is the last day to catch The Wind Rises in select theatres if you live near LA or New York City. If you happened to miss the screenings, couldn't scrape enough money to fly out, or just had to do laundry, no worries! There will be another American limited release starting 21st February, 2014 before it is released wide on 28th February, although those release dates come with the American dub.

In the meantime, enjoy the new English poster for the film, or read about the sudden controversy it's received from American critics (mostly the MPAA, really), and read up on my review of the film, which I had the opportunity to watch at the New York Film Festival.

Via /Film

The Wind Rises's Upcoming U.S. Release Stirs Up More Controversy

The Wind Rises will be opening in LA and New York City this weekend from the 8th through the 14th of November for an Oscar qualifying run. Though my review of the film, along with others, from the New York Film Festival, was incredibly positive, there's been some apprehension popping up regarding its US release.

The Wind Rises Review [NYFF]

I had the immense privilege to attend the New York Film Festival on Saturday 28th of September, and watch a screening of The Wind Rises. Being Hayao Miyazaki's last film (as far as we know), and a Studio Ghibli creation, expectations were high. I, along with a vast audience of maybe 300 people, got to enjoy a wonderful story the way it should be enjoyed: on the big screen, with fellow enthusiasts and loved ones held close.

Next Studio Ghibli Film Could be Porco Rosso Sequel

While much sadness was expressed at Hayao Miyazaki's retirement announcement at the beginning of this month, some fans can once again rejoice, as a new announcement from Studio Ghibli has been released regarding their newest project. Along with lots of speculation.

A Short Note to Hayao Miyazaki Upon his Retirement

Dearest Miyazaki,

I never thought I would have to write these words, as I ignored the fact that the day would come when we would hear that you were stepping out of our worlds, and receding into your own. But the time has finally arrived, and though I recognize your reasons as good, solid reasons, I still feel a bit empty at the news of your retirement. I, like many of your fans, have spent many a night cuddled in blankets holding a cat, a stuffed Totoro, or a loved one watching your wonderful fables imagining a cross between our worlds.

Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli on Retiring

Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki finally released a statement over the weekend about his retirement. Throughout the recording, Miyazaki is cheerful, respectful, and honourable, just as he's been throughout his entire duration at Studio Ghibli.

This Week on A113Animation (26th August - 1st September, 2013)

Now this is more like it. After a few quiet weeks, this week has been an absolute belter for animation news (although it's not all been good). Lots of casting news from Marvel, films announced and detailed from Warner Bros. and Disney, and a fun new clip from Cloudy 2; but, on the flip side, we've got directorial removals, a potential-packed animation director leaving Disney, and a whopping great retirement at the very end of the week. As usual, we've got your latest Disney Retrospective and Futurama, A Swan Song, and we've also get the big D23/Despicable Me 2 episode of the A113Animation Podcast! So for all that, and to catch up on what you might have missed in the past 7 days, check out our weekly recap below.

Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki to Retire (Again)

Studio Ghibli has shocked audiences and fans as co-studio head Hoshino Koji announced that Hayao Miyazaki will be retiring, making The Wind Rises the final film written and directed by Miyazaki. The announcement was made at the Venice Film Festival in Italy where The Wind Rises is currently competing. Though no further details were given, we can expect an official announcement from Miyazaki in the coming weeks.