Studio Ghibli and it's Founders
What is STudio Ghibli?
Studio Ghibli (株式会社スタジオジブリ Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Jiburi) is a Japanese animation film studio that was established in June 1985. It was founded by Tokuma Shoten Publishing (Suzuki Toshio), Takahata Isao and Miyazaki Hayao. In March 2004, Studio Ghibli became independent from Tokuma Shoten.
Before Studio Ghibli was established, Tokuma Shoten had been serializing Miyazaki’s manga version of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind since 1982. In 1983, it was decided that they would produce a film version of Nausicaä, which would be directed by Miyazaki himself. The film version of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was released in Japan in 1984 and was a success.
Because of this success, they decided to create a studio dedicated to the production of high quality animated feature films like Nausicaä. With that said, Ghibli is unique among Japanese animation companies. The reason for this is that most Japanese animation companies primarily depend on TV series and Original Animation Videos (OAVs) for income and sometimes they would make a theatrical work. This makes Studio Ghibli unique, since their main focus is theatrical works, while they do TV series and OAVs once in a while.
Since Studio Ghibli focuses on Theatrical Works, they make about one film a year. Most of the films have been directed by either Miyazaki Hayao or Takahata Isao. Studio Ghibli has produced nineteen features films, several short films, television commercials and television films. Eight of Studio Ghibli’s films are among the 15 highest anime films made in Japan.
Many of Studio Ghibli’s films have won awards. These awards include awards from Japan, like the Animage Anime Grand Prix Award or the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and other countries. Studio Ghibli won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature for the film Spirited Away. This means that Studio Ghibli has achieved success both at home and abroad.
In 1996, an agreement was formed between Studio Ghibli and The Walt Disney Company. They agreed that Disney would distribute international Studio Ghibli’s animated films. Ghibli’s work are distributed in Japan by Toho and until 2011 internationally by Disney. Up until 2011, The Walt Disney Company had all rights to all of Ghibli’s output. Since 20ll, Disney shares the North American theatrical rights with GKids. Disney still has the domestic rights over the works of Studio Ghibli.
When the first Studio Ghibli films were introduced into America, Studio Ghibli had at least one term; none of their films can be cut. This policy was introduced after America released the cut version of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, in which they cut a total of 21 minutes and 50 seconds from the original version. Miyazaki Hayao was dissatisfied with that and suggested that people should put it “out of their minds.”
After that fiasco, Studio Ghibli started the “no-cut” policy. Studio Ghibli doesn’t want a change in the plotlines of their films or that the narrative meaning of their films is lost.
The “no-cut” policy was once more brought up after the release of Princess Mononoke. Miramax wanted to cut some scenes in the film to make it more suitable for children. After discovering what Miramax was planning, one of Studio Ghibli’s producers sent an authentic katana with a simple message: “No cuts.”
It’s been said that Studio Ghibli, together with Miyazaki Hayao, is the Japanese version of Disney with Walt. I have to admit that the works of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki Hayao are truly masterpieces, just like many of Disney’s films.
Of course, there is a reason why they’re called the Japanese version of Disney. Films created by Studio Ghibli have many common features including the motifs, themes and imagery. Many of the works of Studio Ghibli, and especially those of Miyazaki, feature young, strong women who are very independent. They arrive or are in a mysterious land where they either save the world or a love interest. Also remarkable for the films is that there is not always a clear antagonist.
The thing that I really like about the movies from Studio Ghibli, is that many of them appear to play around the world war, especially those created by Miyazaki.
Before Studio Ghibli was established, Tokuma Shoten had been serializing Miyazaki’s manga version of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind since 1982. In 1983, it was decided that they would produce a film version of Nausicaä, which would be directed by Miyazaki himself. The film version of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was released in Japan in 1984 and was a success.
Because of this success, they decided to create a studio dedicated to the production of high quality animated feature films like Nausicaä. With that said, Ghibli is unique among Japanese animation companies. The reason for this is that most Japanese animation companies primarily depend on TV series and Original Animation Videos (OAVs) for income and sometimes they would make a theatrical work. This makes Studio Ghibli unique, since their main focus is theatrical works, while they do TV series and OAVs once in a while.
Since Studio Ghibli focuses on Theatrical Works, they make about one film a year. Most of the films have been directed by either Miyazaki Hayao or Takahata Isao. Studio Ghibli has produced nineteen features films, several short films, television commercials and television films. Eight of Studio Ghibli’s films are among the 15 highest anime films made in Japan.
Many of Studio Ghibli’s films have won awards. These awards include awards from Japan, like the Animage Anime Grand Prix Award or the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and other countries. Studio Ghibli won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature for the film Spirited Away. This means that Studio Ghibli has achieved success both at home and abroad.
In 1996, an agreement was formed between Studio Ghibli and The Walt Disney Company. They agreed that Disney would distribute international Studio Ghibli’s animated films. Ghibli’s work are distributed in Japan by Toho and until 2011 internationally by Disney. Up until 2011, The Walt Disney Company had all rights to all of Ghibli’s output. Since 20ll, Disney shares the North American theatrical rights with GKids. Disney still has the domestic rights over the works of Studio Ghibli.
When the first Studio Ghibli films were introduced into America, Studio Ghibli had at least one term; none of their films can be cut. This policy was introduced after America released the cut version of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, in which they cut a total of 21 minutes and 50 seconds from the original version. Miyazaki Hayao was dissatisfied with that and suggested that people should put it “out of their minds.”
After that fiasco, Studio Ghibli started the “no-cut” policy. Studio Ghibli doesn’t want a change in the plotlines of their films or that the narrative meaning of their films is lost.
The “no-cut” policy was once more brought up after the release of Princess Mononoke. Miramax wanted to cut some scenes in the film to make it more suitable for children. After discovering what Miramax was planning, one of Studio Ghibli’s producers sent an authentic katana with a simple message: “No cuts.”
It’s been said that Studio Ghibli, together with Miyazaki Hayao, is the Japanese version of Disney with Walt. I have to admit that the works of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki Hayao are truly masterpieces, just like many of Disney’s films.
Of course, there is a reason why they’re called the Japanese version of Disney. Films created by Studio Ghibli have many common features including the motifs, themes and imagery. Many of the works of Studio Ghibli, and especially those of Miyazaki, feature young, strong women who are very independent. They arrive or are in a mysterious land where they either save the world or a love interest. Also remarkable for the films is that there is not always a clear antagonist.
The thing that I really like about the movies from Studio Ghibli, is that many of them appear to play around the world war, especially those created by Miyazaki.
What is in the Name?
Miyazaki Hayao thought of the name Ghibli. Ghibli means “Hot wind blowing through the Sahara Desert.” In the second World War, the name was used for Italian scouting planes. Miyazaki Hayao has been a fan of airplanes from a young age and named the studio after an airplane. Miyazaki Hayao choose the name Ghibli because he had the idea that the studio would “blow a new wind through the anime industry.” Even though “Ghibli” is an Italian word, it is pronounced jee-blee or ji-bu-ri in Japanese.
The logo of Studio Ghibli features one of the characters of Studio Ghibli’s films, namely the fan-favorite character Totoro from the film My Neighbor Totoro. Totoro is accompanied with the name of the studio, which makes the logo complete. |
The Founders
In the beginning of this lesson we mentioned who the founders of Studio Ghibli are. In this part, we are going to go a little bit deeper into looking at these geniuses.
Suzuki Toshio (鈴木 敏夫)
Suzuki Toshio was born on 19 August 1948 in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture. Suzuki graduated with a degree in literature from Keio University. Suzuki joined Tokuma Shoten Publishing shortly after he graduated, where he was assigned to the planning department of Asahi Geino. A few years after this, Suzuki Toshio became the editor for the magazine Comic & Comic (コミック&コミック komiku & komiku). Comic & Comic went on a hiatus and Suzuki then was reassigned to the performing arts feature section of Asashi Geino. Suzuki worked also in the editorial department of the monthly Television Land. Afterwards, he became an editor for the newly created monthly magazine Animage in 1978. When he was editor at Animage, he approached Takahata Isao and Miyazaki Hayao for a feature article in the inaugural issue of the magazine about their film Prince of the Sun: The Great Adventure of Hols. Takahata Isao and Miyazaki Hayao declined this.
A year after, Suzuki and Miyazaki encountered each other again. This was after the release of the Lupin III movie The Castle of Cagliostro, which was directed by Miyazaki. Suzuki approached Miyazaki again for an article. This time Miyazaki didn’t decline and their meetings resulted in an enduring collaborative relationship. Suzuki published an article about Miyazaki in 1981 where he stated, “Here is where it all started.” |
Suzuki was among those who facilitated the creation and publication of Miyazaki’s manga, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. He was also the one who apart of the crew to make the Nausicaä film. After the film release, Suzuki helped with the establishment of Studio Ghibli.
Suzuki didn’t join Studio Ghibli right away. Suzuki officially joined Studio Ghibli in 1989 as producer. In 1990, he was appointed director of the company. Before he had officially joined Studio Ghibli, he was involved with some of the films that Studio Ghibli released. Even after becoming director of Studio Ghibli, Suzuki still worked as a producer of some of the films that had been released after his appointment.
After that, Studio Ghibli became independent from Tokuma Shoten, Suzuki was appointed as Ghibli corporation president. Suzuki stayed as president until 2008; he stepped down from his position to serve as Studio Ghibli’s managing director and continues to work as film producer. In 2014, Suzuki retired as a producer, but he assumed a new position of general manager.
Suzuki Toshi is a film producer of anime. Beside that he was the former president of Studio Ghibli. Suzuki is renowned as one of Japan’s most successful producers after the success of many Ghibli films.
Takahata Isao (高畑 勲)
Takahata Isao was born on 29 October 1935 in Ujiyamada in the Mie prefecture. He graduated from the most prestigious university in Japan, Tokyo University. After finishing his education, he joined the newly founded animation studio Toei Doga in 1959. At studio Toei Doga, Takahata started his career as a director.
Takahata Isao and Miyazaki Hayao became friends through the animator’s union at Toei Doga, which Takahata Isao vice-chaired and Miyazaki Hayao chaired. Takahata’s first movie, Prince of the Sun: The Great Adventure of Hols (1968) is still considered one of the greatest examples of Japanese animation. Hayao Miyazaki worked as an animator for this movie, providing numerous ideas. Takahata and Miyazaki continued working as a director-animator team for many great animated masterpieces, including Lupin III, Heidi, 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother and Anne of Green Gables. After Tokuma approached Miyazaki to make the Nausicaä manga into a movie, Miyazaki’s only condition was that he would have Takahata as the producer. This was the first time that Takahata |
worked as a producer, on which he did a great job. Takahata also produced Miyazaki’s next movie,1986’s Laputa: Castle in the Sky. After that he directed his first Ghibli movie, Grave of the Fireflies in 1988.
After that Takahata has been directing numerous movies under which Only Yesterday (1991), Pom Poko (1994), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013). Beside this work Takahata also worked as the music director of Kiki’s Delivery Service and was the producer of I Can Hear the Sea.
After that Takahata has been directing numerous movies under which Only Yesterday (1991), Pom Poko (1994), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013). Beside this work Takahata also worked as the music director of Kiki’s Delivery Service and was the producer of I Can Hear the Sea.
Miyazaki Hayao (宮崎 駿)
Miyazaki Hayao was born on 5 January 1941 in Tokyo. Miyazaki Hayao went to Gakushuin, where he majored in economics. When he was attending Gakushuin, he was also part of the children’s literature club.
After Miyazaki Hayao graduated, he started his career in 1963 as an animator for studio Toei Doga. While Miyazaki started working at studio Toei Doga, he was noticed for his ability to draw and the seemingly-endless stream of film ideas he proposed. Miyazaki worked at different studios before he started Studio Ghibli. In 1971, he worked for A Pro and started at Nippon Animation in 1973. When he was at Nippon Animation, Miyazaki directed his first TV series, Conan: The Boy in Future. In 1979, he started working at Tokyo Movie Shinsha and together with Takahata Isao he directed Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. In 1982 Miyazaki started to work on his very own manga, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. He worked on this manga from 1982 to 1994. He worked on this manga when he wasn’t busy making |
animated films. Next to the manga Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Miyazaki worked on another manga named Hikotei Jidai. This manga also turned into a film adaption.
Two years after the start of this manga, it was made into a film. The success of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind led to the establishment of Studio Ghibli. Under Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki has directed, written and produced many other films. All films that have been created were enjoyed critical and described as successes of Studio Ghibli.
Especially Miyazaki Hayao’s Princess Mononoke, which was the first film of Studio Ghibli who received an award.
Miyazaki is considered one of the greatest animators and directors in Japan. The reason for this is because of his entertaining plots, compelling characters and breathtaking animation in his films. Miyazaki’s skills has earned him international renown from critics as well as public recognition within Japan.
In 2013, Miyazaki announced his retirement from creating feature length animated films.
Two years after the start of this manga, it was made into a film. The success of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind led to the establishment of Studio Ghibli. Under Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki has directed, written and produced many other films. All films that have been created were enjoyed critical and described as successes of Studio Ghibli.
Especially Miyazaki Hayao’s Princess Mononoke, which was the first film of Studio Ghibli who received an award.
Miyazaki is considered one of the greatest animators and directors in Japan. The reason for this is because of his entertaining plots, compelling characters and breathtaking animation in his films. Miyazaki’s skills has earned him international renown from critics as well as public recognition within Japan.
In 2013, Miyazaki announced his retirement from creating feature length animated films.