In an early announcement to retailers, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is all set to release three Studio Ghibli titles on the Blu-ray format on May 22nd. The Secret World of Arrietty will make its home video debut on both DVD and Blu-ray Disc, while Castle in the Sky and Whisper of the Heart make their debuts on the high-def format. They will join Studio Ghibli titles Ponyo and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind which are already available on the Blu-ray format.
All three titles will be available in the Blu-ray + DVD combo format. Arrietty carries a suggested list price of $39.99 (currently $29.99 at Amazon). The film is presented with a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio in both English and Japanese, as well as a French 5.1 Dolby Digital track.
Extras on the the Blu-ray includes “Storyboards,” original “Japanese Trailers and TV Commercials,” the “Summertime” Music Video by Bridgit Mendler and its making-of, and “Arrietty’s Song” Music Video.
Based on the acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers,” by Mary Norton, the titular character in The Secret World of Arrietty is a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, who lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts.
But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger.
Click on any of the images below to pre-order these upcoming Studio Ghibli titles.
