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As Netflix cranks it up a notch with its growing number of anime films, we’re here to tell you what’s the best from the bunch.

Netflix has continued to delve deeper and deeper into Japanese animation by licensing several major titles and crafting its own original works. It’s the very reason why the streamer has become a force in the entertainment sector, as it now boasts a slate that satisfies the everyday anime lover.

And because of that, TheWrap decided to outline the seven best titles Netflix has in its library right now. Here are the titles we think you should watch.

“Mary and the Witch’s Flower” “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” (GKids)

If you’re a fan of animator and director Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s work, which includes mega anime film hits “Ponyo,” “The Boy and the Heron,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and more, then “Mary and the Witch’s Flower...

Last summer, fans saw this Certified Fresh Studio Ghibli anime movie return to theaters over a decade following its original release, and this year, we’re having the same treat! Per Gkids Films' official X (formerly Twitter) account, The Secret World of Arrietty will head back to theaters as part of this year's Ghibli Fest. It will be available in select theaters for a limited-time run, both in its original Japanese with English subtitles and in English dubbed form.

Beginning Sunday, June 22, The Secret World of Arrietty plays in theaters but will sadly conclude its run on Tuesday, June 24. This comes a year after the film returned to theaters on June 9 and 11, 2024. Its re-release was announced alongside another fan-favorite, When Marnie Was There, which was also celebrating its tenth anniversary at the time. Plus, it was re-released in both Japanese and English dubbed audio on June 10 and 12, 2024.

For those unfamiliar with the popular Ghibli Fest,...

A massively underrated Studio Ghibli film is heading back to theaters this month for a limited-time run, both in its original Japanese with English subtitles and in English dubbed form.

As announced via Gkids Films' official X (formerly Twitter) account, Studio Ghibli's anime movie The Secret World of Arrietty will be heading back to theaters as part of this year's Ghibli Fest. The critically acclaimed fantasy film will be available in select theaters beginning June 22, though fans will have to hurry to catch The Secret World of Arrietty on the silver screen before it completes its run on June 24.

15-Year-Old Studio Ghibli Movie With 94% on Rotten Tomatoes Returns to U.S. Theaters The Secret World Of Arrietty from Hiromasa Yonebayashi returns to theatres for Ghibli Fest June 22-24. 🌱https://t.co/40Gh3kdYP5pic.twitter.com/wsQJCjbHix— Gkids Films (@GKIDSfilms) June 12, 2025

Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi from a screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa,...

Judd Apatow is the first guest curator at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, overseeing a new comedy film exhibition focused on celebrating the genre and its filmmakers. Apatow’s new position was announced during the Academy Museum’s 20th celebration and screening of his feature debut “The 40-Year-Old-Virgin,” which featured a conversation between Apatow, Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Jane Lynch, Gerry Bednob, and Kat Dennings in the museum’s David Geffen Theater.

Apatow’s currently untitled exhibition is slated for April 2027, and will mark the Academy Museum’s first exhibition dedicated to the art of comedy in film. “We’re thrilled to announce that our first guest curator at the Academy Museum is none other than the hilarious and brilliant Judd Apatow,” said Academy Museum director and president Amy Homma in a statement. “Judd’s comedies have shaped entertainment and culture, and we know his expertise, appreciation, and love...

Studio Ghibli's North America-based film distributor, Gkids, has revealed its official theatrical slate for Ghibli Fest 2025. Starting next month, anime lovers will get to see some of the studio's biggest hits -- and some of its most underrated -- return to U.S. and Canadian theaters.

Gkids' official X (Twitter) page showcases the selection, which includes seven anime films directed by world-renowned Ghibli co-founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. In addition to several of the studio's most well-known movies, the lineup also features comparatively lesser-known works such as The Secret World of Arrietty -- an adaptation of The Borrowers novel series by Mary Norton. This movie was directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (Mary and the Witch's Flower). Ponyo -- Hayao Miyazaki's imaginative retelling of The Little Mermaid -- will also be shown. Screenings of both the original Japanese and English-dubbed versions will be held from May to November 2025. The full...

The 2025 Academy Awards have come and gone, and the anime community once more finds itself disappointed with no nominations within the field. The Oscars have had a long history of overlooking anime, but to be snubbed for another year—especially when Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s Look Back was more than eligible for the running—had anime fans everywhere shaking their heads.

Previous anime productions have snagged an Oscar in the past, however. Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away became the first anime feature to win an Academy Award in 2001, followed by The Boy and The Heron in 2024. In recent years, other Studio Ghibli productions and anime films have also contended for the entertainment industry's most coveted award, with some close to winning.

When Marnie Was There Is a Much Deeper Story Than Inside Out Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Story by Joan G. Robinson Image via Studio Ghibli

When Marnie Was There is...

Now that J Balvin has made his mark in Japanese animation, after starring in Crunchyroll’s hit anime series “Solo Leveling,” TheWrap thought it’d be a good idea to list all the Hollywood stars who’ve also lent their voices to the genre.

It already takes a lot of training and focus to be an actor, but one must unlock a new skill in the craft when it comes to voice acting, especially when it comes to anime. And now that anime has risen in popularity, more and more stars are carving out their lane in the industry as voice actors.

All the actors listed voiced roles for the English dub versions of these shows and films, many of which you’ll recognize right off the bat. Here are 17 celebrities who rocked the mic as anime characters.

Bryan Cranston and Isamu Alva Dyson from “Macross Plus” Bryan Cranston as...

Studio Ghibli is one of the most well-known and beloved anime studios in the medium's history. Since its formation in 1985, the studio has produced some of the best and most beloved films in movie history, to the point that the studio's name and logo are instantly recognizable, even to people who have no interest in or knowledge of the anime industry.

Many fans often describe Studio Ghibli's output as "cozy," with many considering them the perfect films to watch when someone wants to relax and unwind. However, what makes Studio Ghibli's films so interesting is their variety. While the studio has produced many cozy movies, they're all comforting for different reasons, be it due to their retro feel, hopeful central message, or emotional honesty.

From Up on Poppy Hill Is a Drama With Plenty of Heart From Up on Poppy Hill Captures a Community Coming Together; Streaming on Max

Directed...

Studio Ghibli has had a long and illustrious career and has come to be renowned for its magnificent stories and fantastic settings. It has to also be noted that Studio Ghibli has never been afraid of coming out with a unique idea, which might or might not be accepted.

A still from When Marnie Was There. Credits: Studio Ghibli

This is why they have always been a pioneer in creating masterpieces that effortlessly blend magical realism with profound emotional themes. However, among many such tales, the work When Marnie Was There, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, stands out as a uniquely grounded story.

It focused on largely ignored themes such as loneliness, mental health, and self-discovery. The work may not have achieved the widespread acclaim of ‘Spirited Away‘ or ‘My Neighbor Totoro‘ or even an Oscar like ‘The Boy and the Heron.’

When Marnie Was There is a mirror to the human psyche

At its core,...

In 2014, Studio Ghibli came out with When Marnie Was There, a hauntingly beautiful film based on British author Joan G. Robinsons novel of the same name. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (who was also responsible for The Secret World of Arrietty and was a key animator for numerous classic Ghibli films), When Marnie Was There tells the tale of young Anna Sasaki and the heartbreaking journey she takes to overcome her depression and fear of abandonment.

Through the friendship she forms with the mysterious yet cheerful girl, Marnie, Anna processes and heals from the pain that has kept her trapped in a shell of insecurity. In a work of dream-like artistry that the talents of Studio Ghibli so easily capture, Yonebayashi gifted Ghibli fans with a deeply meaningfuland tragically underratedstory about family, patching up childhood wounds of abandonment, and reconciling with lost loved ones.

Related 10 Saddest Studio Ghibli Movies (So Far...

Studio Ghibli has dominated Japanese animated films for decades with the likes of Grave of the Fireflies, Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, Howl's Moving Castle, and Spirited Away. Just this year, Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. 2024 also marks the ten-year anniversary of Hiromasa Yonebayashi's When Marnie Was There, a coming-of-age film that was an adaptation of the 1967 novel of the same name from author Joan G. Robinson. It has the voice acting talents of Sara Takatsuki, Kasumi Arimura, Nanako Matsushima, and Susumu Terajima, with wonderful English dubbing supplied by the likes of Hailee Steinfeld, Kiernan Shipka, Catherine O'Hara, and John C. Reilly as just a few names of its big star Hollywood cast. While When Marnie Was There is not as fantastical as some other iconic anime films, it makes up for it by giving us a...

Since its founding in 1985, Studio Ghibli has remained one of the animation industry's most prolific and innovative studios. Led by the work and vision of Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli has produced almost two dozen features, nearly all to critical acclaim. Despite its reputation for producing anime features with rich, fully realized, imaginative worlds, Studio Ghibli films never compromise on telling emotionally grounded stories.

Each melodramatic and multidimensional Studio Ghibli release helps the company and its catalog endure, leaving another indelible mark on audiences of all ages worldwide. Whether an isekai-esque journey like Spirited Away or a folklore-inspired story like Princess Mononoke, all Studio Ghibli films are imbued with profound human emotions and stakes that transcend their moody fantasy settings. With myriad memorable exchanges and moments, there's no shortage of motivational Studio Ghibli quotes fans can revisit for a bit of comfort in times of need.

Updated on August 14, 2024, by Natasha...

Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the director of The Secret World Of Arietty and Mary And The Witch’s Flower, is already making his next animated film for Studio Ponoc.

Studio Ponoc, the Japanese animation house founded by producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, has its latest feature film in UK cinemas from the 28th June. Called The Imaginary, it’s based on the children’s book by British author A F Harold, and it’s the disarming tale of a young girl, her imaginary friend Rudger, and how their encounter with a imagination-hunting villain named Mr Bunting.

We sat down to talk with its producer, Nishimura, last week, and with time running short, we quickly asked what Studio Ponoc is up to next, given nothing has been officially announced. To our surprise, Nishimura revealed that his studio already has its next animated project in production – it’s a feature film which he says will be “quite epic and action-filled.

Father's Day is around the corner, leaving little time to find the right gift for Dad. Thankfully, Studio Ghibli is here with the perfect present for anime-loving fathers everywhere, especially if they happen to be fans of My Neighbor Totoro.

Donguri Sora, the official online store of Studio Ghibli, has introduced a brand-new collection of neckties based on the company's classic anime movie, My Neighbor Totoro. There are six neckties in total, which come in various colors. Each necktie features a unique pattern of the fantasy creatures from the 1988 animated movie, although most, if not all, are also understated enough that they could likely be considered appropriate attire for the workplace.

Related Studio Ghibli Re-Releases Hayao Miyazaki's Original My Neighbor Totoro Watercolor Drawings

Totoro fans can send special messages to faraway loved ones with Ghibli's original watercolor postcard collection featuring artwork by Hayao Miyazaki.

The official store description reads:...

Netflix dropped the trailer for “The Imaginary,” the hand-drawn fantasy from Japan’s Studio Ponoc (streaming July 5), currently in competition at the Annecy Animation Festival. The Oscar hopeful is adapted from the A.F. Harrold novel (illustrated by Emily Gravett) and is told through the eyes of young Amanda (Evie Kiszel) and her imaginary companion, Rudger (Louie Rudge-Buchanan), a boy who introduces her to make-believe adventures that turn dangerous when he encounters forgotten Imaginaries in a mysterious town.

“The Imaginary” is directed by former Studio Ghibli animation vet Yoshiyuki Momose (“Grave of the Fireflies”) and produced by Studio Ponoc founder and former Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura (the Oscar-nominated “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” and “When Marnie Was There”).

“The Imaginary” marks the second feature from Studio Ponoc and the first in its multi-film deal with Netflix. The studio was founded in 2015 as a spiritual successor to Ghibli and released its debut feature,...

Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, who passed away in 2018, has received a posthumous North American release of his final anime TV series, Chie the Brat. The release comes from Discotek Media, a distribution company that focuses on licensing and distributing anime and other Japanese media, especially retro titles from the 1970s, '80s and '90s.

Discotek announced this week that Takahata's Chie the Brat - The Original First TV Series - Blu-ray has officially been released via the Crunchyroll Store. Fans in North America can now order the Blu-ray for the first time ever, priced at US$52.46 ($69.95 Msrp), with Crunchyroll teasing the release, "This complete collection includes all 64 episodes of the groundbreaking comedy classicpresented in high definition with the original Japanese language and English subtitles!" Readers can check out the Blu-ray footage, cover and additional stills below.

Related Studio Ghibli's Anime Art Book Receives English-Language International Release

Ghibli's upcoming...

Ghibli Fest 2024 sees two of Studio Ghibli's most underrated titles, The Secret World of Arrietty and When Marnie Was There, get new theatrical rerelease dates.

Via a press release, both of Oscar-nominated director Hiromasa Yonebayashi's feature films at Studio Ghibli -- The Secret World of Arrietty and When Marnie Was There -- will return to U.S. theaters for just two nights. The Secret World of Arrietty's theater dates are June 9 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. (English-language dub), and June 11 at 7 p.m. (Japanese-language with English subtitles). The When Marnie Was There dates are June 10 at 7 p.m. (English dub) and June 12 at 7 p.m. Japanese with subtitles). Readers can purchase tickets and find supported theaters at the official Ghibli Fest and Fathom Events websites and read below for more information.

Related "Action-Adventure and Nostalgic": Son of Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki Reveals Possible Next Film...

After the history-making success of The Boy and the Heron in theaters, Studio Ghibli and Fathom Events decided to continue celebrating the legacy of the Japanese animated movie studio in theaters. Today, the companies announced that Ghibli Fest 2024 will move on with two additional titles. This time, Hiromasa Yonebayashi will be the filmmaker whose work will be remembered, and When Marnie Was There and The Secret World of Arrietty will debut in theaters this summer.

Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary officially comes to Netflix on July 5th. The Imaginary promises a heartfelt story of friendship and mortality from Studio Ghibli alumni. Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary packs stunning animation and a deep narrative and is set to be a big anime release.

Netflix has shared the release date for The Imaginary, the latest film by Studio Ponoc, an anime film studio famously founded by Studio Ghibli alumni, most notably Hiromasa Yonebayashi of When Marnie Was There fame. This is their first feature film since their debut film, Mary and the Witchs Flower, and promotional material suggests that the film will be just as gorgeous as their previous work, including their work with Studio Ghibli.

Theres a lot to be excited about with The Imaginary, and it finally has a confirmed English release date. After being previously announced for streaming on Netflix with no release date, its...

Studio Ghibli, the acclaimed Japanese animation house known for Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro and Oscar-winner The Boy And The Heron, is to receive an honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes – the first time the festival has bestowed the award on a group.

The honour is usually awarded to individuals, which has included Tom Cruise, Michael Douglas and Harrison Ford in recent years and will also be given to Star Wars creator George Lucas at the 77th edition of the festival, which runs May 14-25.

Studio Ghibli is synonymous with veteran directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, who are among...

Studio Ghibli, like Western counterparts Disney, Pixar and the UK’s Aardman, is one of the most important animation studios in movie history. Since its first feature film, “Castle in the Sky” in 1986, Studio Ghibli has delivered two dozen thought-provoking tales beautifully rendered in a unique brand of animation. To date, its output has racked up have a lucky seven Oscar bids for Best Animated Feature.

“Spirited Away” was the first Studio Ghibli movie to break into the Academy Awards conversation and did so with aplomb in 2003. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature (Miyazaki the recipient) over “Ice Age,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” and “Treasure Planet.”

In 2006, Miyazaki was again nominated — this time for “Howl’s Moving Castle” alongside “Corpse Bride” and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” with the latter movie, an Aardman creation, reigning victorious.

Miyazaki and Suzuki were the nominees...

An anime film was bound to make it into the Oscar nominations this year, and the contender this time around is Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron . Ghibli's latest film was nominated in the Animated Feature Film Category, where it will compete with Elemental , Nimona , Robot Dreams and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse . Other nominations include Godzilla Minus One , which is up for the Visual Effects category , and Japanese/German co-production Perfect Days —directed by Wim Wenders and written by Wim Wenders and Takuma Takasaki—which is up for Best International Feature Film . We'll find out who wins when the 96th annual Academy Awards ceremony airs live on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 4:00pm Pacific Time. Related: The Boy and the Heron Awarded Golden Globe for Best Animated Film Miyazaki previously won an Academy Award in 2002 for Spirited Away , making anime history. His Howl's Moving Castle film was nominated in...

The popular rumor that No-Face from Spirited Away was based on animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi is a misunderstanding. The truth is that Yonebayashi was drawing a rendition of No-Face that Hayao Miyazaki noticed and remarked it looked like Yonebayashi. Although Yonebayashi did not directly inspire No-Face, he still had a role in the success of Spirited Away and his career in the anime industry.

The anime film Spirited Away is rife with trivia, but as it turns out, one regarding the popular character No-Face happens to stem from a misunderstanding. An oft-repeated "fact" is that the mask-wearing ghost is modeled on Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who worked on the movie's key animation. An interview, however, sheds light on the true relationship between Yonebayashi and the genesis of the popular anime character.

No-Face forms the crux of a major subplot in Spirited Away, serving as an ally or an obstacle to Chihiro at different times throughout the movie.

One of the less public-facing key talents at the most publicly scrutinized animation studio in the world, cinematographer Atsushi Okui joined Studio Ghibli in 1993 and has worked on nearly every film from legendary director Hayao Miyazaki since, among them Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and his first feature in a decade, The Boy and the Heron.

With that film now in wide North American release from Gkids, we caught up with Okui to gain insight into the particulars of his job title, the process of working with iconic directors, and whether Miyazaki’s reputation for technophobia might be (a little) overblown.

With thanks to interpreter Nao Amisaki.

The Film Stage: You’ve been a director of photography at Studio Ghibli for over 30 years, during which time your title has evolved into “digital imaging director.” For those less-familiar with the animation process, could you explain what a Dp does in animation, and...

Studio Ghibli has some of the best storytelling anime has to offer. Hayao Miyazaki is very careful with the stories he selects to tell and retell. The Studio is a carefully gathered team of highly creative and thoughtful artists, like illustrators and writers who worked on animated projects like The Last Unicorn.

Studio Ghibli movies are so enduring that they stand up to many re-watches. Some of the films are very comforting, even if their messaging isn't easy or the themes are heavy, at times. They're visually stunning and worth being seen over and over again. As for the Ghibli films that cover deeper topics like hatred and industrialization, they should be rewatched so that audiences can absorb the themes and symbolism on a deeper level.

20 Anime To Watch If You Liked Spirited Away

Pom Poko Deserves More Attention

Pom Poko is a severely underrated film written by Isao Takahata and animated by Studio Ghibli.

Studio Ponoc has released a new trailer for its upcoming fantasy film, The Imaginary.

As detailed on Anime News Network, the film is an adaptation of A.F Harrold and Emily Gravett's 2014 children's novel of the same name. The trailer showcased an animation style reminiscent of Ponoc's legendary predecessor, Studio Ghibli. A host of new cast members have also been revealed; Kokoro Terada, who previously played the role of Selim Bradley in the live-action Fullmetal Alchemist film series, will star as Rudger. Rio Suzuki, who starred as Dororo in the 2019 adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's titular manga series, will portray Amanda. The Imaginary's Japanese theatrical premiere is set for Dec. 15.

Related: The Boy and the Heron Producer Says the Anime Is the Most Expensive Japanese Film Ever Made

While Ponoc unveiled a brief teaser for The Imaginary in 2021, this latest trailer delves deeper into the film's premise. As an "Imaginary," young...

The Studio Ghibli animation is the first from the iconic director in a decade.

The Boy And The Heron, the first film in 10 years from iconic animation director Hayao Miyazaki, has broken box office records on its opening weekend in Japan despite receiving no marketing push.

The Studio Ghibli film, which is locally titled Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka? (How Do You Live?), opened Friday (July 14) and earned $15.46m (Y2.14bn) over four days, which included Monday’s Marine Day national holiday. It was distributed by Toho, which supplied the figures.

It marks the biggest-ever opening weekend for Miyazaki as...

Studio Ponoc's upcoming anime film, The Imaginary, will debut in Japan on Dec. 15.

As detailed on Anime News Network, Ponoc recently unveiled the film's official release date along with a new promotional poster. While The Imaginary was originally scheduled to premiere last summer, Ponoc was forced to delay the film due to "new challenges" related to both the production and the Covid-19 pandemic, the latter of which caused delays for many other anticipated releases, including Doga Kobo's Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie TV series. In Japan, the film will be released under the title, Rudger in the Attic.

Related: Everything We Know About Studio Ghibli's How Do You Live?

The Imaginary is based on the 2014 children's novel of the same name. Written by A.F. Harrold and illustrated by Emily Gravett, its story revolves around a young girl named Amanda and her friendship with her imaginary friend, Rudger.

There was once a man named Mamoru Hosada who decided to become an anime director. After a phenomenal career at Toei, where he worked on classic episodes of "Digimon" and "Revolutionary Girl Utena," he was recruited by Studio Ghibli to direct their upcoming film "Howl's Moving Castle." Unfortunately, Hosada's project was cursed from the beginning. Much of Ghibli was already busy crafting "Spirited Away." Hosada worked hard to secure a team of animators, but he could only do so much by himself. The harder he worked to keep "Howl's Moving Castle" alive, the faster it became a time and money sink. Sooner or later, the film collapsed, and Hosada was removed from the project. In an interview with Animestyle, Hosada expressed his feelings of guilt for the animators he was forced to abandon. "I had lied to them," he said. "I had betrayed them. Now nobody would trust me again.

Legendary animation company Studio Ghibli is inarguably deserving of its reputation. Home to some of anime's preeminent talents, including co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, Ghibli is responsible for some of the greatest and most famous works that the medium has to offer. Classics like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away have won the studio international acclaim, and by watching the magical stories unfold it's easy to see why.

With a catalog of works as expansive as Ghibli's, though, it's inevitable that certain films will receive more recognition than others. For every Spirited Away there are a handful of other works from the studio that remain criminally under-recognized worldwide.

Updated on October 24th, 2022 by Stacie Rook:

A new movie from Studio Ghibli by Hayao Miyazaki, titled How Do You Live, is currently in production, marking the director's first feature since 2013's The Wind Rises. While fans of the studio await more news about this film,...

Studio Ghibli’s first film after the supposed retirement of Hayao Miyazaki was a mediocre success in Japan, although it won an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.

The script is based on the homonymous novel by Joan G. Robinson and goes like this: Anna is a lonely and restless-year-old who lives in Sapporo with her adopted parents, Yoriko and her husband. After an asthma attack, the girl suffers in school, her parents decide to send her to spend the summer in the country with some relatives of Yoriko’s, named Setsu and Kiyomasa, that live in the small seaside town of Kushiro, where she will not have to endure the city’s tainted atmosphere. Both of her relatives are very kind with her, treating her as if she was their own daughter. Anna however, does not get along with the local children and ends up alone once more,...

Studio Ghibli is helping to ease the pain of 2020 by making 400 high resolution images from eight of its movies available to download for free. The films include “When Marnie Was There,” “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” “The Wind Rises,” “From Up on Poppy Hill,” “The Secret World of Arrietty,” “Ponyo,” “Tales from Earthsea,” and Best Animated Feature Oscar winner “Spirited Away.” A handwritten note from Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki notes the one catch: “Please use them freely within the scope of common sense.”

The 400 free images mean each film mentioned above has 50 new high-resolution stills to explore. The note to use the images with “common sense” means fans have the green light from Suzuki to share the stills on social media and make artwork out of them, but don’t think about selling them for profit. Suzuki teased that more free images from additional Studio Ghibli movies will become available in the future.

Deal covers 21 films including Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning Spirited Away.

Wild Bunch has acquired all French rights to the entire catalogue of celebrated Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli, including its new animated feature Earwig and the Witch.

Disney has traditionally released Studio Ghibli titles in France, but the licensing deal has recently come to the end of its term. The Wild Bunch deal came into effect on September 2.

The accord includes Gorô Miyazaki’s Earwig And The Witch. The film is the studio’s first feature animation in six years and made it into Cannes’s special 2020 Official Selection in June.

Studio Ponoc, the hand-drawn animation specialty outlet led by former Studio Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, will team with the International Olympic Committee to create an animated short to be released ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games.

News of this international collaboration has been timed to mark the opening day of the Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival, which has made Japan its guest country this year and which will host Ponoc chief Nishimura on its feature film jury.

“From the moment we learned about Studio Ponoc, we were intrigued to work with its creative talent to see how they would reinterpret the Olympic values from a distinct aesthetic and narrative perspective, showcasing the finest hand-drawn and hand-painted animation,” said Francis Gabet, Director of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, in a press statement.

“With a focus on universal topics relevant to humanity, this film will contribute not only to the excitement...

The list of screenings for the second annual Windy City Horrorama has been revealed and kicking things off is Perry Blackshear's The Rusalka. Also in today's Horror Highlights: the second wave of filmsfor Chattanooga Film Festival 2019 and Terror 5 DVD and VOD release details.

Windy City Horrorama Screenings Unveiled: Press Release: "Get ready to scream, horror fans! We’re announcing the first films of Windy City Horrorama’s creeptastic lineup!

First up, it’s the Chicago premiere of The Rusalka*! Director Perry Blackshear reunites with him They Look Like People (2015) team for this tale of a folkloric water spirit, the vengeful man hunting her, and the handsome stranger caught between them. Stuffed to its gills with doomed longing, The Rusalka is an atmospheric elegy for love touched by the cruel hands of fate.

Also joining our 2019 slate of films is the infamous low-budget vigilante shocker, Robot Ninja! This 1989 thriller about...

Gkids and Shout! Factory will issue Modest Heroes on Blu-ray + DVD and digital download on June 18, 2019. The release, which features both Japanese and English audio tracks and comes complete with bonus features, is available for pre-order now on shoutfactory.com.

From Studio Ponoc (Mary and The Witch's Flower), the acclaimed new studio founded by twice-Academy Award&#174-nominated producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, comes a thrilling collection of stories exploring ideas of heroism in their own unique way.

Modest Heroes is an ambitious collection of three thrilling tales created by some of the greatest talent working in Japanese animation today. Kanini & Kanino is directed by Academy Award&#174-nominee Hiromasa Yonebayashi; Life Ain't Gonna Lose, featuring the voice of Maggie Q, is helmed by Yoshiyuki Momose, who was a key animator on Isao Takahata's films at Studio Ghibli; and Invisible director Akihiko Yamashita was a key animator on many of Hayao Miyazaki's best-known films.

‘Roma,’ Alfonso Cuaron‘s nostalgic ode to his ’70s childhood in Mexico City, won over the 84-member Alliance of Women Film Journalists — including me. The stunning black-and-white Netflix release pocketed five Eda wins: Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Non-English Film, Best Editing and Best Director. Coming in second were those cutthroat royals in “The Favourite” with four wins, including Olivia Colman as Best Actress.

The all-female group’s 12th annual competition once again salutes the best – and some of the worst – in the world of film with 25 categories in three sections. There are the general Best of Awards, Female Focus Awards and Eda Special Mention Awards whose nominees are picked by those Awfj members who send in a nominating ballot. There is room for the good, including Viola Davis of “Widows” receiving the “Actress Defying Age and Ageism Award,” and the bad, as in Jennifer Lawrence of “Red Sparrow,” who...

Oahunov Nov 8-18, 2018

Kauainov Nov 15-18, 2018

Big Island & Maui Nov 29 -Dec 2, 2018

The 38th Hawaii International Film Festival is about to start and to continue the festival’s proud tradition of showcasing content and creatives from the Pacific, Asia and North America.

The festival this year features over 180 films, talks and events from 37 countries, with 47 Us, International and World Premieres across 32 sections. 2018 continues the tradition of programming a selection of critically-acclaimed and highly-anticipated films from Asia and around the world, while also giving a platform from emerging creative talents from across the Hawaii-Pacific region.

Outstanding films are accompanied by stars and filmmakers from around the world, connecting East and West through a dedication to discussion, diversity and creativity.

We have picked the Asian titles in the Programme and they are a lot!

Let’s have a look:

Shadow – Opening Night Film

China 2018 – Director: Zhang Yimou

50 First Kisses

Spotlight On Japan – Japan...

Features the voices of: Ruby Barnhill, Jim Broadbent, Ewen Bremner, Lynda Baron, Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Morwenna Banks, Teresa Gallagher, Rasmus Hardiker, Rebecca Kidd, Kate Winslet | Written by Riko Sakaguchi, Hiromasa Yonebayashi, David Freedman, Lynda Freedman | Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Now I’ve already reviewed Mary and the Witch’s Flower earlier this year. That first review is on Nerdly for you to check out and goes into a little more detail about things like the dubbing. However, it’s not very often I give the movies I review a second opinion but how does Mary and the Witch’s Flower hold up after a second glance?Well, honestly, there isn’t much else I can add that I didn’t already mention in my first review of the Studio Ponoc film.

The story of Mary and the Witch’s Flower is based on the children’s classic, My Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart.

"Shun adores baseball. Only eggs defeat him." Here we go! Japanese animation house Studio Ponoc has debuted three 30-second individual trailers for their new short films as part of their first Anthology feature. These short films will be released in Japan later this month together in one extended feature, Ponoc's latest offering since Mary and the Witch's Flower. This new series is titled "Ponoc Short Films Theatre", and this first set is titled Modest Heroes. Ponoc recruited three of Ghibli's finest veteran animators to make these three short films - Kanini & Kanino directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Life Ain't Gonna Lose (aka Samurai Egg) directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, and Invisible directed by Akihiko Yamashita. The trailers finally give us a better glimpse at the stories & characters in these shorts, and I'm still crazy excited to watch them. The Invisible short looks like the best, in my opinion, but they all have some serious charm.

"You'll be carried away by these modest heroes." Oh my goodness!! Studio Ponoc, the animation studio in Japan that is essentially the spiritual successor to Studio Ghibli, has released the first official trailer for an animated anthology of short films. These short films will be released in Japan this August, their next offering since making Mary and the Witch's Flower (which just opened in the Us earlier this year and is available now on iTunes). This new series is titled "Ponoc Short Films Theatre", and this first set of three shorts is titled Modest Heroes. Ponoc recruited three of Ghibli's finest veteran animators to make these three short films - Kanini & Kanino directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Life Ain't Gonna Lose (aka Samurai Egg) directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, and Invisible directed by Akihiko Yamashita. In addition, Japan's Kaela Kimura performs the Modest Heroes theme song, which plays at the end of the anthology feature.

Inaugural 2017 event guest list included Angelina Jolie, Hiromasa Yonebayashi.

Animation company Gkids and Annecy International Film Festival have announced the second annual Animation Is Film Festival to run October 19-21 in Hollywood.

The festival will showcase animated features, special presentations, and animated short film programmes.

Last year’s inaugural Animation Is Film Festival featured special guests including The Breadwinner (pictured) executive producer Angelina Jolie and director Nora Twomey, The Lego Batman Movie director Chris McKay, The Big Bad Fox co-director Benjamin Renner, The Incredibles producer John Walker, and Mary And The Witch’s Flower director Hiromasa Yonebayashi.

The 2017 jury for...

The program of the 18th Japanese Film Festival Nippon Connection in Frankfurt am Main is complete! From May 29 to June 3, 2018 the audience can discover more than 100 new short and feature films at the biggest festival for Japanese film worldwide – from blockbusters and anime to independent and documentary films. Almost all of the films will be presented as German, European- international, or world premieres. A diverse supporting program provides about 50 exciting cultural activities apart from the cinema. Numerous Japanese filmmakers, musicians, and artists will be our guests at the festival. As the guest of honor, renowned actress Shinobu Terajima will receive the Nippon Honor Award 2018. The events will take place at the festival centers at Künstlerhaus Mousonturm and Theater Willy Praml in der Naxoshalle as well as four additional locations in Frankfurt am Main.

Nippon Cinema

Once more, many stars of the Japanese film scene will be expected to present...

Features the voices of: Ruby Barnhill, Jim Broadbent, Ewen Bremner, Lynda Baron, Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Morwenna Banks, Teresa Gallagher, Rasmus Hardiker, Rebecca Kidd, Kate Winslet | Written by Riko Sakaguchi, Hiromasa Yonebayashi, David Freedman, Lynda Freedman | Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Mary and the Witch’s Flower is the first film from Studio Ponoc. This studio is founded by Studio Ghibli veterans so the question is: Does Mary and the Witch’s Flower feel like an equal to something like a Studio Ghibli film?

The story of Mary and the Witch’s Flower is based on the children’s classic, My Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart. To those unaware of its story, a young girl called Mary has moved to the countryside and she doesn’t really fit in. One day, she comes across a mysterious and rare flower that gives her magical abilities such as bringing a broomstick to life and...

Fans of Japanese animation needn’t restrict themselves to fantastical TV series – a bit of digging can uncover rare Studio Ghibli features and beyond

If you happen to see Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s lovely Mary and the Witch’s Flower in cinemas this week, and its iridescent bouquet of mad delights gets you on something of an anime kick, the streaming world offers mixed rewards for fans of vibrant Japanese animation. Deep-diving acolytes in the busy, complex realm of anime TV series are increasingly well catered for; film buffs in the genre, however, often have to do a bit more hunting.

A key hindrance on the cinematic front is that Studio Ghibli – still, for most, the gold standard of anime film, and the obvious gateway for dilettantes – has thus far proven rather resistant to video on demand technology, preferring to make tangible collector’s items of their DVD and Blu-ray releases.

Mary and the Witch’s Flower director Hiromasa Yonebayashi on why Japanese directors go wild for Britain’s cuisine, climate, chintz – and unionised miners

‘Clouds in Britain were very different from Japanese clouds,” says director Hiromasa Yonebayashi. “They seemed very close and they went on forever. They really stirred the imagination. I felt like those clouds had been an inspiration for British writers to create lots of fantasy works. It looked as if some hidden castle were about to emerge from them.”

Related: Mary and the Witch's Flower review – charming Japanese children's adventure...

This is the Pure Movies review of Mary and the Witch's Flower, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and starring Ruby Barnhill, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent, Ewen Bremner and Louis Serkis. Written by Helen Chapman for Pure Movies. Based on the 1971 novel The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart, Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s film recounts the story of a smart, adventurous heroine capable of holding her own in a dangerous situation. Mary stumbles upon Endor College, a prestigious school for witchcraft which resonates with Hogwarts school from Harry Potter. Her wild red hair also mirrors the character Hermione, as well as her strength and courage, and this should be welcomed by most in an age where Harry Potter won the hearts of children and adults alike. Mary is discovered by the professors of Endor College and is deemed a prodigy, but she soon runs into trouble and relies on her bravery and wits rather...

With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit platforms. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.

Behemoth (Zhao Liang)

There’s just one thing missing from Zhao Liang’s visually masterful documentary Behemoth: a before image of what this wasteland of coal and rock used to be before God’s beast was unleashed. That creature — as represented by the industrial machine — devours the mountains of Mongolia, exploding large formations into rubble to be separated by the Sichaun people acting as minions. These citizens become the cause and effect,...

Former Ghibli animator/director Hiromasa Yonebayashi has miraculously harnessed the charm of his previous employer for this feature debut from Studio Ponoc; a new anime company founded by producer Yoshiaki Nishimura. Mary and the Witch’s Flower, Yonebayashi’s third feature following Arrietty and When Marnie Was There, is a sprightly and spirited fantasy adventure that’s garlanded with that unparalleled Ghibli magic and matchless capacity to whisk viewers away into captivating fantasylands.

After an action-loaded prologue, the story sashays into serener settings where we meet Mary at the start of her adventure. Mary is an affable yet lumbering youngster, staying with her aunt in a chocolate box village, while her parents are away on a business trip. Mary befriends a black cat who leads her to discover a rare, purple flower (the Fly-by-night). She is then swiftly spirited away to a city in the clouds and welcomed to the...

It’s nearly unfair how director Hiromasa Yonebayashi lures us into a false sense of security within in the whimsical opening moments of his latest film, “Mary and the Witch’s Flower,” and the first for Studio Ponoc. Founded by Yoshiaki Nishimura along with several former Studio Ghibli animators, the comparisons to the disbanded titan of a studio were always going to persist, warranted or not.

Continue reading ‘Mary And The Witch’s Flower’ Doesn’t Quite Capture That Studio Ghibli Magic [Review] at The Playlist.