Kaiju and Ghibli Fans Rejoice! Toho and GKIDS (Studio Ghibli) to Release Their Films in December for America.

Studio Ghibli and Toho is coming to America in December, and just who will dominate depends. The Boy and the Heron, or will it be Godzilla Minus One?

The Boy and the Heron English Poster - Studio GhibliThe English dubbed trailer recently dropped for Studio Ghibli‘s The Boy and the Heron and it looks good! When there’s top notch performers coming in to provide a track for those who prefer this release over the other (i.e. subtitles), it’s sure to be a hit! and I’m looking forward to check out both. You can’t go wrong with Mark Hamill! For a full list of credits, please check out GKIDS official webpage here.

As excitement builds for what is presumedly Hayao Miazaki’s final film, GKIDS is offering early screenings in select cities across the United States of America, and hopefully Cineplex Cinemas will follow suit. They have not made any formal announcements yet, but it’s safe to say there will be screenings. Fans are encouraged to contact their local major theatre chain for when it will be screening there.

Continue reading “Kaiju and Ghibli Fans Rejoice! Toho and GKIDS (Studio Ghibli) to Release Their Films in December for America.”

After TIFF, Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron Will Take Flight Across North America!

The much anticiapted debut of The Boy and the Heron is coming to TIFF today, and we have the info on where it’ll screen next!

The Boy and the Heron Japanese Poster
Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka (Japanese title) Movie Poster

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of award-winning animation from around the globe, announced today it will bring The Boy and the Heron, the highly anticipated new film from legendary, Academy Award-winning Hayao Miyazaki, to cinemas nationwide on December 8, 2023.

The latest feature from Japan’s celebrated animation house, Studio Ghibli, begins special preview engagements on November 22 before expanding to cinemas nationwide and in Canada on December 8, 2023. As with previous Studio Ghibli titles, the film will be released in its original Japanese with English subtitles, as well as a new English language version. This film was released in Japan as “Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka” (translated as “How Do You Live”)

Continue reading “After TIFF, Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron Will Take Flight Across North America!”

All You Need is ♡ to be Whisked Away By Spirited Away: Live on Stage’s Magical Adventure

When a wide-shot was cut to, the thought of viewing Spirited Away: Live on Stage, from the best seats in the house crossed my mind.

Spirited Away: Live on StageRemaining showtimes: April 27 & May 2
Please check GKIDS official website for a theatre near you.

The next time Spirited Away: Live on Stage is offered for the authentic experience, I’m booking a trip! It played at Tokyo’s historic Imperial Theatre in 2022, and had a rotating cast. Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi played the title role, and both performances were committed to tape in front of a live audience.

As part of GKIDS‘ annual commitment to celebrate the works of Studio Ghibli, the recorded show is making its USA debut this year. I was fortunate to time my trip to Seattle right so I can see it. Part of the reason for not being available in other countries may be due to licensing. A home video release is expected, but there’s no official announcement yet. I want to see both.

Continue reading “All You Need is ♡ to be Whisked Away By Spirited Away: Live on Stage’s Magical Adventure”

The Deets on When Marnie Was There Upcoming Steelbook Release

When Marnie Was There is a haunting tale gorgeously rendered with its moonlight seascapes, glowing orchestral score, and powerful portrayals of friendship and belonging.

When Marnie Was Here SteelbookFrom the Academy Award®-nominated director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the critically acclaimed Studio Ghibli film When Marnie Was There will release in a Limited Edition SteelBook™ on October 11, 2022 from GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory. The SteelBook™ houses a Blu-Ray™+ DVD disc set and comes with bonus features including feature-length storyboards, an exclusive booklet and more. Fans of the anime film can pre-order their copy at Amazon, GKIDS.com or ShoutFactory.com.

Nominated for an Academy Award® in Best Animated Feature and Certified 91% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, When Marnie Was There includes a star-studded English voicecast of Hailee Steinfeld, Kiernan Shipka, Geena Davis, John C. Reilly, and Vanessa Williams. The stunning animation is an adaptation of the beloved young-adult English novel of the same name published in 1967 by Joan G. Robertson, which is largely considered one of the finest masterpieces of British Children’s Literature.

Continue reading “The Deets on When Marnie Was There Upcoming Steelbook Release”

Only Yesterday and Tale of Princess Kaguya Re-Release Details are in its Steelbook Design

Collectors of Studio Ghibli films will be glad to know the next steelbook releases are coming soon. Only Yesterday and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya will arrive on shelves April 19, 2022!

The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio GhibliCollectors of Studio Ghibli films will be glad to know the next steelbook releases are coming soon. Only Yesterday and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (Amazon USA pre-order links) will arrive on shelves April 19, 2022! They are being released in joint co-operation by license holder GKIDS and distributer Shout! Factory.

These limited edition SteelBook releases include Blu-ray and DVD edtions. The boxes feature new art, and to complement the film, each piece includes hours of bonus features and a booklet with a statements from the filmmakers. Most of this material is from prior releases, and owners of the former releases need not upgrade. This new packaging is meant for newcomers to attain, or for those enthusiasts who are building a wall of Ghibli steelbooks to proudly display.

Only Yesterday and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya now join Earwig and the Witch, The Wind Rises, Secret World of Arrietty, Porco Rosso, From Up On Poppy Hill, The Cat Returns, Whisper of the Heart, Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle and Ponyo in a series of SteelBook releases from the Studio Ghibli collection of films.

From the Press Release:

Only Yesterday

“Gorgeous! A rare and powerful film” – Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly

Having lived her whole life in the city, 27-year-old Taeko decides to visit her relatives in the countryside. As she travels, memories of her youth resurface, and after meeting young farmer Toshio, she wonders if she’s been true to the dreams of her childhood self.

From Academy Award®-nominated director Isao Takahata and Producer Hayao Miyazaki, Only Yesterday is a masterpiece of time and tone, rich with humor and stirring emotion, and beautifully animated by Studio Ghibli, one of the world’s most revered animation studios.

Bonus Features:

●      The Making of Only Yesterday
●      Behind-The-Scenes with Voice Cast
●      Interview with English Dub Team
●      Feature-Length Storyboards
●      Trailers & TV Spots
Only Yesterday' and 'Princess Kaguya' Get Blu-ray Steelbook Upgrades -  TheHDRoom

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya

“A Staggering Masterpiece” – Glenn Kenny, RogerEbert.com

From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, comes a powerful and sweeping epic that redefines animated storytelling and marks a triumphant highpoint within an extraordinary filmmaking career for Academy Award®-nominated* director Isao Takahata.

Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her – but ultimately, she must confront her fate and embark on a transformative journey.

Bonus Features:

●      Feature- Length Documentary Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya
●      Announcement of the Completion of The Film
●      Trailers & TV Spots

Future Boy Conan is Swingin on Home Video!

Conan lives the jungle life and is very much a Tarzan boy. But when a mysterious girl washes up on a beach and he rescues her, trouble is coming! In this home video release of Future Boy Conan, fans can enjoy this classic!

Amazon.com: Future Boy Conan: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] : Hayao  Miyazaki: Movies & TVAvailable to purchase on Amazon USA

Not everyone will recall Hayao Miyazaki worked on various animated television shows before transitioning to making feature-length films. He provided key animation to films like Puss in Boots and Animal Treasure Island. Those haven’t received a Blu-ray upgrade yet, but with the release of Future Boy Conan, it’s safe to assume they will one day come. In the meantime, this product is a must to give to any collector of this filmmaker’s works. Christmas is coming.

GKIDS & Shout! Factory’s release of this whimsical post-apocalyptic style adventure can see how this first-time director whetted his feet as an up-and-coming director. Although he changed a lot of the story–it was supposed to be an adaptation of The Incredible Tide by Alexander Key–the problems that later arose meant that for a time, no North American release was possible despite having having an English dub stuck in storage for decades (it was redone for this release).

Continue reading “Future Boy Conan is Swingin on Home Video!”