The legendary Studio Ghibli
For fans of Japanese culture and, above all, Japanese cartoons, Studio Ghibli is an essential reference point, as is its co-founder Haya Miyazaki. Founded in 1985, this film production studio is based in Koganei, Tokyo prefecture. Specialising in feature-length animated films, it continues to delight and enchant generations of viewers around the world. In this article, we take a look back at its history and clear up a few misunderstandings.
Nausicää or not Nausicää?
Let's start with a major misunderstanding. Many people think that Hayao Myiazaki's first great masterpiece, Nausicää of the Valley of the Wind, was also Studio Ghibli's first film. In reality, it wasn't. The film was released in 1984, before the studio was founded. But the team responsible for making the film was the same one that went on to found the studio, largely thanks to the revenue and publicity generated by the huge success of the first Ghibli princess.
The appearance of Totoro
The iconic figure of Studio Ghibli, Totoro, always appears at the beginning of the films. But Totoro was not yet present at the birth of the studio. The famous film "My Neighbour Totoro" was released in 1988, while the first film produced by the studio was "The Castle in the Sky" in 1986.
What is Ghibli?
First clue: it's not a Japanese name. In fact, Miyazaki took the Italian name from a Second World War aircraft, the Caproni Ca. 309 Ghibli. And the term was borrowed from Libyan Arabic, meaning "hot desert wind". Miyazaki wanted to breathe new life into Japanese (and indeed global) animation. That's how he came up with the name of his studio, which he founded with Isao Takahata, and with Toshio Suzuki as chief producer. Right from the start, they were able to count on the animation talents of Makiko Futaki, and the musical works of Joe Hisaishi. We should also pay tribute to animators Yoshinori Kanada, Katsuya Kondo and Kitaro Kosaka. How do you pronounce Ghibli? Everyone seems to say "guibli", as they should in Italian. But in Japan, the studio heads use a Japanese pronunciation, "djibli". The choice is yours!
Not just Miyazaki
Hayao Miyazaki's gigantic talent is world-renowned, but Studio Ghibli is not a one-man show. Other talented directors have created films of the highest quality. These include
- Tomb of the Fireflies by Isao Takahata (1988)
- Cat Kingdom, by Hiroyuki Morita (2002)
- Arrietty, A World of Thieves, by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (2010)
Anime or no anime?
This is sensitive territory. Everyone can make up their own mind, but let's remember that the term 'anime' refers mainly to animated series and films adapted from manga. We often speak of "japanimation", or to put it more simply, animated manga. But Studio Ghibli's films are not based on manga. They are original works that can draw on literature or illustrated novels. So we prefer to talk about animated films, or even cartoons: after all, Studio Ghibli is best known for its handmade, elbow-grease craftsmanship.
Cartoons for youngsters and adults alike
It's well known that Japanese cartoons are aimed at more than just toddlers. And Studio Ghibli's films are particularly appreciated for their multiple levels of reading and appreciation. Take Miyazaki's most "innocent" film, Kiki, the Little Witch (1989), for example. We can criticise the translation, the English title being "Kiki's Delivery Service". In this film, we follow a 13-year-old little witch and her talking cat. They settle in a town and Kiki earns a living delivering bread by flying around on her broom. In the end, she uses her powers to save a boy who loves her very much. This may sound like a childish summary, but that's Miyazaki's speciality: using a childish story to explore complex, serious themes that are nuanced to the extreme. So our heroine Kiki has to face up to a number of obstacles... in particular what we now call burnout. Here the film explores the big problem posed by mixing passion and work... a theme that Miyazaki knows very well, he who has announced his retirement several times, but continues to make films, until 2023 with "The Boy and the Heron". In "Chihiro's Journey", considered by Western critics to be his best, and often appearing in the top 10 or top 20 films of all time, we follow a young girl who finds herself trapped in the spirit world and must save her parents, who have been turned into pigs by an evil witch. To do this, she has to negotiate a work contract, win the respect of her colleagues, sacrifice a potential cure to save her friend and reclaim her identity from a selfish, possessive but not so evil witch. Female characters are often at the centre of the works here. But these are strong, independent girls who are growing up or fighting for important causes, like Princess Mononoke, who is trying to defend Nature against Lady Eboshi, a very contrasting villain, given that she runs a leper colony and treats lepers herself.
Relive the worlds of Ghibli
There is a Ghibli theme park in Japan, in the town of Nagakute (Aichi prefecture). Originally, it was just a reconstruction of the house from the film "My Neighbour Totoro". Today, the park has grown and awaits you.
But if the journey is a little too long, you're sure to find compensation in our geekshop, filled with Ghibli goodies. Our geekshop offers a wide range of products from the magical world of Studio Ghibli, perfect for collectors and fans of the legendary studio's films. You'll find giant cuddly toys like Hihn and Calcifer from Le Château Ambulant, as well as collectible figurines like the Mei & Totoro Blanc duo and decorative items like bookends inspired by Le Château dans le Ciel. And Mon Voisin Totoro fans won't be left out with products like the Totoro enamel teapot, ideal for adding a Japanese touch to your kitchen. For those who like a little collector's item, we have mugs, cushions and lacquered chopsticks, perfect for combining the practical with the pleasurable. We also have some more exclusive items on pre-order, such as cuddly toys from the recently released Le Garçon et le Héron. Each product has been carefully selected to offer Ghibli fans a real journey into this enchanting, dreamlike world.
If you're a fan of another licence, don't worry! On Shop for Geek, you can also find a wide range of products derived from your favourite universes, whether they be series, films, video games or other. We do everything we can to offer you the best prices, so you can complete your collection without breaking the bank. What's more, we offer free delivery in France and the Benelux countries for purchases over €39. With our extensive stock, you're sure to find what you're looking for quickly and easily.