Tag: GKIDS

The Miyazaki Charm is Alive in Ronja, Robber’s Daughter

Ronja The Robber's Daughter Blu-Ray Case
Available to order on AmazonRonja

Shout! Factory & GKIDS
Release Date:
August 20, 2019

Spoiler Alert

Gorō Miyazaki has big shoes to fill. As the son of Hayao, to shift from the career of garden landscaper to animation director can be viewed as extreme but I feel his skills in one world is transferable to another. He’s had plenty of education before working on Tales from Earthsea (2006) and From Up on Poppy Hill (2011). To work on a television series, Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, shows his transition is complete. The attention to detail put in the background designs served his multi-purpose role well.

This series is based on Astrid Lindgren‘s book of the same name (Amazon link)Ronja (Ronia is the original spelling). The seminal character was born on a stormy night. Some may say great things are in store for her as she gets older. Almost like PIXAR’s Brave, this headstrong girl is looking to make her place in the world. Instead, what she finds is an innocent friendship with a young boy from a rival clan.

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Coming Nov 12th, 2019 is Spirited Away Collector’s Edition!

RonjaStudio Ghibli and GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory, will issue Spirited Away in a beautiful collector’s edition release on November 12, 2019. The limited-edition set comes housed in an elegant hard slipcase, with a new 40-page book with stunning art and essays. Featured in a deluxe disc portfolio will be a Blu-ray™ of the film paired with hours of special features and the film’s soundtrack on CD, now available exclusively on disc in North America.

The set is available for pre-order now on ghiblicollection.com.

From the legendary Studio Ghibli, this wondrous fantasy film is one of the best-selling and internationally renowned films of all time, becoming the highest-grossing film in Japanese history in 2001. Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s epic adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most iconic filmmakers in the history of animation.

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[Fantasia 2019] When White Snake is Looking for Endless Love

Despite a very Hollywood style story and only one musical moment, the CGI and technicolour visuals in White Snake are gorgeous to behold. I will never tire of watching these films because of the exotic locales used.

White Snake Movie Poster
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Distributed by GKIDS
Light Chaser Animation Studio

The latest animated film from China about the Legend of the White Snake is making its rounds at film festivals, like Fantasia 2019. As a prequel, the setup is simplified. White Snake (白蛇) defines Xiao Bai as the main character. Her story is familiar, and is no different in scope when compared to William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

This computer animated work is very Disney-esque–complete with the prerequisite sidekick comic relief. When a medicine-man (not wanting to be a snake catcher) Xian (Tianxiang Yang) rescues Bai (Zhang Zhe), her amnesia results in her having to figure out who she is. The story begins with us knowing that she is a spirit from the mountains–a white snake–attempting to attain that higher level of harmony (immortality, according to the subtitles–which makes little sense when spirits are technically very long-lived). However, a memory is holding her back and what she learns which makes up the film is one of sorrow and sacrifice.

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Stay Awhile at Okko’s Inn, Everybody is Welcome!

Both versions of Okko’s Inn are based on a 20 volume series by Hiroko Reiji, and to say which is better isn’t fair.

Okko's Inn Blu-ray Case
Available for order on Amazon USARonja

Release Date: July 2, 2019
GKIDs & Shout! Factory

Plenty of memories exists in Okko’s Inn, the animated adaptation of the novel 若おかみは小学生！This anime offers a lot of interpersonal drama for the titular character and it often comes across in a slice of life style narrative than anything else.

She is an innkeeper in training. At a young age, she has a lot to deal with. After a car accident which killed her parents, to which she miraculously survived, she is off to live with grandma and play with ghosts. These spirits are friendly, if not a little mischievous.

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Anyone Can be One of Studio Ponoc’s Modest Heroes

Ronja
Preorder on AmazonRonja or from Shout! Factory

Release Date: June 18, 2019

Studio Ponoc’s Modest Heroes is a collection of tales which shows how life must go on despite the obstacles that come what may. They are all heroes in their own unique way. This collection of animated shorts encompasses a wide range of genres, and it honours the precedent Studio Ghibli set in their films, and that’s to focus on vivid characterization.

Originally, this work would include four animated shorts, but the untimely passing of Isao Takahata did not dampen spirits. To make the theatrical experience a touch more worthwhile, a featurette with founder Yoshiaki Nishimura was included in most screenings, which discusses the design of each piece.

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Mononoke Hime Collector’s Edition to hit Shelves May 14th!

Owners of the complete works of Studio Ghibli need not pick up this edition. However, for those who are just jumping in and cannot afford the mega-pack, buying these Collector’s editions are a must.

Ronja
Available to preorder on Amazon USARonja

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Fans of Hayao Miyazaki can rejoice! The next title in GKIDs and Shout! Factory‘s Studio Ghibli Collector’s Edition release is Mononoke Hime. This film is one of this filmmaker’s finest. An all new essay in this package explains the themes so everyone can enjoy this work as this director intended. Included in this box set is a 38-page booklet, the soundtrack and images from the Art of publication.

As a lifelong fan of this studio’s works, I have no problems buying this title again. Perhaps, in the future, a digital code can be offered so we can enjoy both the movie and music on the go.

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