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Studio Ghibli

Japanese film studio
Written byPat Bauer
Pat Bauer
Pat Bauer graduated from Ripon College in 1977 with a double major in Spanish and Theatre. She spent most of the next 42 years working as a copy editor and editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. She retired in 2021 but was unable to break the habit and now works as a freelance editor. 
Fact-checked byThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
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Table of Contents
Miyazaki Hayao
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Miyazaki Hayao, 2008.
© Studio Ghibli/Ntv/Dentsu/Toho/Kobal/Shutterstock.com
Date:
1985 - present
Headquarters:
Tokyo
Areas Of Involvement:
film
animation
Related People:
Miyazaki Hayao

Studio Ghibli, acclaimed Japanese animation film studio that was founded in 1985 by animators and directors Miyazaki Hayao and Takahata Isao and producer Suzuki Toshio. Studio Ghibli is known for the high quality of its filmmaking and its artistry. Its feature films won both critical and popular praise and influenced other animation studios. The headquarters are in Tokyo.

In 1984 Miyazaki made his second feature film, Kaze no tani no Naushika (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind), which was based on his own popular manga strip, and the following year Miyazaki, Takahata, and Suzuki established Studio Ghibli. The first official Studio Ghibli release was Tenkū no shiro Rapyuta (1986; Castle in the Sky). Most of the films produced by Studio Ghibli were written and directed by Miyazaki and include, in addition to the aforementioned, Tonari no Totoro (1988; My Neighbor Totoro), Majo no takkyūbin (1989; Kiki’s Delivery Service), and Kurenai no buta (1992; Porco Rosso).

My Neighbor Totoro
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The Cat Bus in Tonari no Totoro (1988; My Neighbor Totoro), directed by Miyazaki Hayao.
© 1998 Studio Ghibli
My Neighbor Totoro
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(From left) Satsuki and Totoro in Tonari no Totoro (1988; My Neighbor Totoro), directed by Miyazaki Hayao.
© 1998 Studio Ghibli

After Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was badly edited for release in the United States under the name Warriors of the Wind (1986), Miyazaki did not allow his films to be released in the West for many years. In 1996, however, a deal was reached to allow Walt Disney Studios to distribute Studio Ghibli’s movies, with the caveat that no film editing was to take place. The following year Studio Ghibli issued Miyazaki’s blockbuster hit Mononoke-hime (Princess Mononoke).

USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood
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Princess Mononoke
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A scene from Mononoke-hime (1997; Princess Mononoke), directed by Miyazaki Hayao.
© 1997 Studio Ghibli

The studio’s best-known movie, Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001; Spirited Away), won several awards, notably the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and the 2003 Academy Award for best animated feature. Later films included Hauru no ugoku shiro (2004; Howl’s Moving Castle), Gake no ue no Ponyo (2008; Ponyo), Kaze tachinu (2013; The Wind Rises), and Kaguyahime no monogatari (2013; The Tale of the Princess Kaguya).

Spirited Away
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Chihiro seated between No-Face (left) and Yubaba in the film Spirited Away (2001).
© 2001 Studio Ghibli
Spirited Away
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Kamaji (left) and Chihiro in Spirited Away (2001).
© 2001 Studio Ghibli
Spirited Away
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No-Face (left) and Chihiro in the film Spirited Away (2001).
© 2001 Studio Ghibli
Ponyo
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A scene from the film Gake no ue no Ponyo (2008; Ponyo), directed by Miyazaki Hayao.
© 2008 Studio Ghibli
Ponyo
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Still from the film Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo), written and edited by Miyazaki Hayao.
© 2008 Studio Ghibli
Learn more about Studio Ghibli and how animator Miyazaki Hayao uses colour.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

In 2001 the Miyazaki-designed Ghibli Museum opened in Mitaka, Japan. Its attractions included exhibits about animation and original short films from Studio Ghibli.

Patricia Bauer