Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社スタジオジブリ, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Jiburi)[a][3] is a Japanese animation studio based in Koganei, Tokyo.[4] It has a strong presence in the animation industry and has expanded its portfolio to include various media formats, such as short subjects, television commercials, and two television films. Their work has been well-received by audiences and recognized with numerous awards. Their mascot and most recognizable symbol, the character Totoro from the 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro, is a giant spirit inspired by raccoon dogs (tanuki) and cats (neko).[5] Among the studio's highest-grossing films are Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo (2008) and The Boy and the Heron (2023).[6] Studio Ghibli was founded on June 15, 1985, by the directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki, after acquiring Topcraft's assets. The studio has also collaborated with video game studios on the visual development of several games.[7]
Native name
株式会社スタジオジブリ
Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Jiburi
Motion pictures
Video games
TV commercials
June 15, 1985
in Tokyo, Japan
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Toshio Suzuki
- Isao Takahata
- Yasuyoshi Tokuma
Worldwide
Toshio Suzuki (President)
Gorō Miyazaki (Managing Director)
Kiyofumi Nakajima (Director)
Hayao Miyazaki (Director)
Animated feature films, animated short films, television films, commercials, live-action films
¥3.43 billion (2023)[1]
¥31.179 billion (2023)[1]
190[2] (2023)
Tokuma Shoten (1985–2005)
Nippon TV (2023–present, 42.3%)
Five of the studio's films are among the ten highest-grossing anime feature films made in Japan. Spirited Away is second, grossing 31.68 billion yen in Japan and over US$380 million worldwide, and Princess Mononoke is fourth, grossing 20.18 billion yen. Three of their films have won the Animage Grand Prix award, four have won the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and five have received Academy Award nominations. Spirited Away won the 2002 Golden Bear and the 2003 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.[8] The Boy and the Heron won the 2024 Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film,[9] BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film,[10] and the 2024 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.[11]
Name[edit]
The name "Ghibli" was chosen by Miyazaki from the Italian noun ghibli (also used in English), the nickname of Italy's Saharan scouting plane Caproni Ca.309, in turn derived from the Italianization of the Libyan Arabic name for a hot desert wind (قبلي qibliyy). The name was chosen by Miyazaki due to his passion for aircraft and also for the idea that the studio would "blow a new wind through the anime industry".[12][13] Although the Italian word would be more accurately transliterated as "Giburi" (ギブリ), with a hard g sound, the studio's name is written in Japanese as Jiburi (ジブリ, [d͡ʑiꜜbɯ̟ᵝɾʲi] ⓘ).[12]
Music[edit]
Studio Ghibli's music is almost exclusively composed by Joe Hisaishi, who has worked with Miyazaki on creating the music for his films for over 30 years. He uses storyboard images, provided by Miyazaki, to create an image album,[147] which is then used to build out the final soundtrack for the movie. The music has elements from Baroque counterpoint, jazz, and modal music[148] to create the unique sound that many associate with both Hisaishi and Studio Ghibli. Early on, the music in the films was known for its eclectic, synth sound, before later moving to more motivic and melody-driven music.[149] Especially present in earlier years, the music does not directly relate to the emotions and rhythms happening on screen.[149] Another defining feature is Hisaishi's unique use of leitmotif, rather than a singular song being associated with one character, the motif is the theme of the film.[150] Hisaishi began using leitmotif in Ghibli films first in Howl's Moving Castle.[149]