Many film critics like to call Hayao Miyazaki “The Walt Disney of Japan.” However this is far from true. Miyazaki is far beyond Disney as an artist and storyteller. His films are more then making public domain children’s stories family friendly. There is a edge to animated tales of people turning into pigs, semi-imaginary furry characters and magical houses. Like Walt, Miyazaki formed his own studio in Studio Ghibli to produce his films along with the animated work of others. Now Studio Ghibli has entered into a deal with Shout! Factory to distribute many of their classic titles on Blu-ray and DVD starting on October 17. There are plenty of new bonus features that will be included on the discs. Here’s the press release from Shout! Factory:
ACCLAIMED ANIMATED FEATURES FROM STUDIO GHIBLI
ARRIVE ON BLU-RAY™ & DVD FALL 2017
FROM GKIDS, DISTRIBUTED BY SHOUT! FACTORY
Studio Ghibli and GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory, will release several titles from the famed Studio Ghibli library of films this fall on Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack and on DVD, presenting to fans significant upgrades to one of the world’s most coveted animation collections. Studio Ghibli films Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke come to home entertainment shelves on October 17, 2017. Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind will be released on October 31, and The Secret World of Arrietty and Porco Rosso will follow on November 21.
Each release comes complete with bonus features, and in select cases the bonus features have never before been seen on home media in North America. All combo pack releases will also include booklets with stunning art and statements from the film’s directors and producers.
*Note: Complete bonus features are listed below. All highlighted features are material that is new and/or improved from previous releases in North America.
October 17, 2017 Spirited Away SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation.
Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress, Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• NTV Special (on DVD)
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• Behind the Microphone
• 12-page Booklet with Producer’s and Director’s Statements
October 17, 2017 My Neighbor Totoro SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
When Satsuki and her sister Mei move with their father to a new home in the countryside, they find country life is not as simple as it seems. They soon discover that the house and nearby woods are full of strange and delightful creatures, including a gigantic but gentle forest spirit called Totoro, who can only be seen by children. Totoro and his friends introduce the girls to a series of adventures, including a ride aboard the extraordinary Cat Bus, in this all-ages animated masterpiece from Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki which features the voices of Tim Daly, Lea Salonga, and real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning, in one of their earliest roles.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• Behind the Microphone
• Textless Opening and End Credits
• Creating My Neighbor Totoro
• Creating the Characters
• The Totoro Experience
• The Locations of My Neighbor Totoro
• Producer’s Perspective: Creating Ghibli
• 8-page Booklet with Producer’s and Director’s Statements
October 17, 2017 Howl’s Moving Castle SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
From the acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, comes the Academy Award®-nominated fantasy adventure for the whole family.
Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman. On a quest to break the spell, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and into a new life of wonder and adventure. But as the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, Sophie finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery that threatens their world. Featuring the voices of Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, Blythe Danner, Emily Mortimer, Josh Hutcherson and Billy Crystal.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• Interview with Diana Wynne Jones
• Miyazaki’s Visit to Pixar
• Explanation of CG
• The Birth Story of the Film Soundtrack
• Behind the Microphone
• 8-page Booklet with Producer’s Statement and more
October 17, 2017 Ponyo SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, comes a heartwarming family adventure, now featuring hours of new bonus features never-before-released in North America!
When Sosuke, a young boy who lives on a clifftop overlooking the sea, rescues a stranded goldfish named Ponyo, he discovers more than he bargained for. Ponyo is a curious, energetic young creature who yearns to be human, but even as she causes chaos around the house, her father, a powerful sorcerer, schemes to return Ponyo to the sea. Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid, Miyazaki’s breathtaking, imaginative world is brought to life with an all-star cast, featuring the voices of Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Frankie Jonas, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin,
and Betty White.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• The Five Geniuses Who Created Ponyo
• Press Conference: Theme Song Announcement
• Behind the Microphone
• Opening Event at Hibiya Scala-Za Theatre
• Interview with Hayao Miyazaki
• Interview with Toshio Suzuki
• Theme Song Music Video
• Hayao Miyazaki Press Conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan
• Creating Ponyo
• Ponyo & Fujimoto
• The Nursery
• Scoring Miyazaki
• Producer’s Perspective: Telling the Story
• The Locations of Ponyo
• 8-page Booklet with Producer’s and Director’s Statements and Lyrics
October 17, 2017 Kiki’s Delivery Service SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
Hayao Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service is a coming-of-age story of a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt.
It is tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world, featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, and Debbie Reynolds.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• Ursula’s Painting
• Creating Kiki’s Delivery Service
• Producer’s Perspective: Collaborating with Miyazaki
• Behind the Microphone
• The Locations of Kiki’s Delivery Service
• Kiki & Jiji
• Flying with Kiki & Beyond
• 8-page Booklet with Producer’s and Director’s Statement
October 17, 2017 Princess Mononoke SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
Princess Mononoke is Miyazaki’s epic masterpiece that has dazzled audiences worldwide with its breathtaking imagination, exhilarating battles, and deep humanity.
Inflicted with a deadly curse, the young warrior Ashitaka heads west in search of a cure. There, he stumbles into a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi and the proud people of Iron Town, and the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home, and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there. Featuring the voices of Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Billy Bob Thornton.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• Princess Mononoke in USA
• Behind the Microphone
• 8-page Booklet with Producer’s and Director’s Statements
October 31, 2017 Castle in the Sky SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
Castle in the Sky is a timeless story of courage and friendship, with stunning animation from acclaimed Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki.
This high-flying adventure begins when Pazu, an engineer’s apprentice, spies a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky, held aloft by a glowing pendant. Both Sheeta and Pazu are searching for the legendary floating castle, Laputa, and they vow to travel there together to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal. But their quest won’t be easy, as soon they are being pursued by greedy air pirates, the military, and secret government agents, who all seek the power Sheeta alone can control. Featuring the voices of Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek, Cloris Leachman, and Mark Hamill.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• Promotional Video
• Behind the Microphone
• Scoring Miyazaki
• Producer’s Perspective: Meeting Miyazaki
• Creating Castle in the Sky
• Textless Opening and End Credits
• Character Sketches
• Additional English Mix of the Film
• 12-page Booklet with Producer’s and Director’s Statements
October 31, 2017 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
Experience Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed sci-fi epic, whose success would lead to the founding of the legendary Studio Ghibli!
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is an epic masterpiece of sweeping scope and grandeur that remains one of the most breathtaking and exhilarating animated films of all time.
A thousand years after the Seven Days of Fire destroyed civilization, warring human factions survive in a world devastated by atmospheric poisons and swarming with gigantic insects. The peaceful Valley of the Wind is nestled on the edge of the Toxic Forest and led by the courageous Princess Nausicaä, whose love of all living things leads her into terrible danger, as she fights to restore balance between humans and nature. Featuring the voices of Alison Lohman, Uma Thurman, Patrick Stewart, Edward James Olmos and Shia LaBeouf.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots
• Audio Commentary with Hideaki Anno and Kazuyoshi Katayama
• Interview with Toshio Suzuki and Hideaki Anno: “Nausicaä and Evangelion! The Whereabouts of the Giant Warrior?”
• Behind the Microphone
• Creating Nausicaä
• 12-page Booklet with Producer’s and Director’s Statements
November 21, 2017 The Secret World of Arrietty SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
From the creators of Spirited Away and Ponyo, and Academy Award®-nominated director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, comes a gorgeous and adventure-filled adaptation of The Borrowers, one of the most beloved children’s books of all time.
In a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, little people called Borrowers live out of sight of humans. But when brave and tiny Arrietty is out gathering supplies, she is discovered by Shawn, a human boy, and they begin to form a friendship that blossoms into an extraordinary adventure. This sumptuously animated and heartwarming story features the voices of Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Moises Arias and Carol Burnett.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• Interview with Hiromasa Yonebayashi
• Interview with Hayao Miyazaki
• Arrietty’s Song Music Video
• 8-Page Booklet with Producer’s Statement
November 21, 2017 Porco Rosso SRP $19.96 DVD / $29.95 BD&DVD
From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, comes a dazzling aerial adventure set in and above the scenic port towns of the Adriatic Sea.
Porco Rosso is a world-weary flying ace-turned-bounty hunter, whose face has been transformed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell. When he infuriates a band of sky pirates with his heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a hotshot American rival, to get rid of him. But with the help of the teenage girl Fio, an aspiring airplane designer, and a sultry lounge singer named Gina, Porco takes to the skies for what may be his final high-flying showdown.
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack Bonus Features:
• Feature-Length Storyboards
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• Interview with Toshio Suzuki
• Behind the Microphone
• Textless Open and End Credits
• 8-page Booklet with Producer’s and Director’s Statements
About GKIDS
GKIDS is a producer and distributor of award-winning feature animation for both adult and family audiences. Since 2010, the company has scored an astounding nine Best Animated Feature Oscar® nominations – including The Secret of Kells, A Cat in Paris, Song of the Sea, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, and My Life as a Zucchini, among others. GKIDS also distributes the famed Studio Ghibli library of films, one of the world’s most coveted animation collections with titles such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and others. This fall, GKIDS is launching ANIMATION IS FILM, an annual LA-based film festival produced in partnership with Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Variety Magazine. The first edition unspools October 20-22 at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
