Historically, December 13th has been a big day for announcements from Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, and this year is no exception. For the first time since 1988’s dual announcement of My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies, Ghibli co-founders Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki will both have anime films coming out during the same timeframe – namely, summer 2013. So, this summer, Japanese audiences will be treated to Miyazaki’s Kaze Tachinu (“The Wind is Rising”) and Takahata’s Kaguya-hime no Monogatari (“The Tale of Princess Kaguya”). Also happening this summer will be intense feelings of jealousy and longing from yours truly.
In 2009, Miyazaki created a 2-part Kaze Tachinu manga mini-series, which, in conjunction with Tatsuo Hori’s novel of the same name, laid the groundwork for this summer’s film, which explores the life of historic World War II Zero fighter designer Jiro Horikoshi’s life. And Miyazaki didn’t just direct the film; he wrote the screenplay and conceived of the story himself. In case you weren’t already super excited, the news that longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi will score the film. It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly five years since Miyazaki’s last film, Ponyo, but better late than never.
A re-imagining of Taketori Monogatari (“The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”), a 10th century Japanese folktale, Takahata’s Kaguya-hime no Monogatari centers on a princess named Kaguya who was discovered as a baby inside an luminescent bamboo stalk. Although Takahata revealed that this would be his next project back in 2009, it’s still his first film in nearly 14 years (the last being My Neighbors the Yamadas). Also joining the production team are composer Shinichiro Ikebe (Future Boy Conan, Akira Kurosawa’s Kagemusha) and co-writer Riko Sakaguchi. Hearing the film’s tagline, “a Princess’ crime and punishment,” and knowing that both films are coming out on the same day this summer, has me giddier than a Susuwatari in an unswept chimney.
I can’t wait to see these two films. I hope it will appear at the Anime film festival in Dallas, Tx. I attended the first one back in January. I loved it.
@JetpackBlues,
I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney ‘chose not to’ dub & release “The Wind is Rising” in the US. If they don’t, I just might have to join you and ‘import’ my own (legal) copy of it from a 3rd party retailer.
@Dan Casey,
No prob, I did say ‘partially’.
Anyway, I feel pretty confident that if he would have been more involved in “Arrietty”, it would have turned out a little better than it did. Though, that’s just my personal opinion.
That being said, I still hope these new productions will be as all around good as his previous ‘writer & directorial’ ones were.
I should have specified – this is the first film he has directed since 2008’s “Ponyo.” Technically, he directed “Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess” in 2010, but that’s just a short for the Studio Ghibli museum and it won’t see wider release.
This is relevant to my interests.
My Amazon Japan account stands ready to order these next year. The box sets will most likely be amazing.
You’re forgetting he was ‘partially’ involved in “The Secret World of Arrietty” (2010).
Great……… I.. can’t… wait…
Who knows? Maybe, disney will get some more A/B-list actors to give us another D-list voice over. Just like they did in “Arrietty”.
What!? I sound like i’m “not” excited?
You’re just imagining things…. (maybe?)
Anyway, It’s still good to see at least a little coverage of Anime.
Honestly, i’m more interested in Takahata’s film, purely based on the premise. but I would still like to see how Miyazaki tells his story (also, his film will be scored by Hisaishi, who is consistently amazing).
Also, I love that the films are being released at the same time!
Miyazaki is directing another film? Cool. Because of the art style a lot of people think that every Ghibli production is directed by Miyazaki. They’re not they jus use his particular art style(ex. Disney films used Walt’s style).