Studio Ghibli‘s first CG-animated movie is coming to theaters and HBO Max this February.GKIDS, the North American distributor for Ghibli, has set … The Studio Ghibli collection of Miyazaki films is finally available to stream on HBO Max — and not a second too soon! But the fact that it’s so close to its theatrical release is definitely a surprise. “Earwig and the Witch is the first new Studio Ghibli release in four years, and is the studio’s first foray into computer animation. But it's also about a girl who is moving to a new place, and how that makes her feel unmoored. Many of the films’ themes follow humans’ complex relationship with the environment around them, which suits our current pandemic situation. It's a full-on adventure that presents such a vivid story that, for a little while, you forget you're watching an animation because it feels so real. With HBO Max and Netflix now streaming (almost) every Studio Ghibli film, CNET ranks the animation studio's very best to watch first. That and the sheer adorableness of Totoro, who serves as the logo for Studio Ghibli and is akin to the Winnie the Pooh of Japan. The rules of this world don't make sense. He limps after the prince, even as his master tells him to stay behind. She's a boisterous, energetic woman from the country, strait-jacketed into a patriarchal society that demands she pluck her eyebrows, dye her teeth black and conform to a set of societal expectations completely alien to her and her humble origins. The Jiro of the story dreams of incredible aeroplanes swooping elegantly through beautiful blue skies, but even as a child there's no escaping a realization that flight is a cursed dream. Nord VPN. Studio Ghibli movies are known for the beautiful visuals used to tell their animated stories, often featuring scenes of nature, fantastic worlds or pastoral life. Streaming services haven't always let you watch Studio Ghibli and its weird and wonderful back catalogue. 619, This story has been shared 522 times. As Grandma Sophie, our heroine finds her courage and her voice, free to say whatever she thinks. By clicking "SIGN UP" above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. 'Fate: The Winx Saga' Ending Explained: What's Next for Bloom? 'Cobra Kai' Season 3 Watched by an Estimated 41 Million Households, Netflix Claims, 'Cobra Kai' Creators On The Future Of The Series: "Season 4 is Not the Conclusion of the 'Cobra Kai' Story", Who Plays Young Kreese in 'Cobra Kai'? One hops on another's back, and they weightlessly jog ahead of the prince, a playful encouragement. It brings suffering and loss and tears. Archived. The amazing world of Studio Ghibli: HBO Max (From $15/month at HBO Max) The magic of animation share. What’s even better about this is HBO Max offers viewers to select if the film is dubbed in English, or spoken in the original language with subtitles. More than anything, Grave of the Fireflies is a movie about indifference and isolation. My kids now want ham in their ramen so they can be like her. With the launch of HBO Max Wednesday, nearly the full catalog of Japan's beloved and critically renowned animation house arrived on a streaming service in the US for the first time. She stumbles across Sutemaru, her childhood friend and the embodiment of the carefree country life she longs to resume. One could argue that it's too sleepy. By Evan Valentine - May 22, 2020 05:11 pm EDT. "Takahata's Princess Kaguya is the opposite. Early in Princess Mononoke, Ashitaka -- a prince banished from his village and cursed by a demon -- walks through a magical forest. Kiki, Howl, Totoro and co. are on their way to HBO Max. The pair leap into the air, flying through the countryside where they grew up. Harry may be more famous, but there's another clever, charming wizard worth knowing. His name is Howl and he lives in a… Miyazaki uses this kind of hero in a number of his films -- Nausicaa and Howl's Moving Castle chief among them -- but it works best here, because the characters on all sides are so thoroughly and tenderly humanized. Ponyo is an underwater child princess, the offspring of a wizard and a mighty sea goddess. Lost parents. HBO Max launched today with a promising catalog of content, and the anime studio was on the list. Despite the language barrier and the fact that he's more used to computer-generated shows cranked out by Disney, my son was completely engrossed, shouting Totoro at the television and squealing with delight at the visuals. But Nausicaa also marks the cinematic genesis of many of the tropes that are now hallmarks of Studio Ghibli's work: pacifism, spiritual environmentalism, the earnest young heroine. Based on the life and work of pioneering aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi, the film's emotional journey is painted with lavish imagery of pastoral landscapes and vast colorful skies. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) technically predates Studio Ghibli, but it’s been included in Ghibli collections before and will be one of the many films to join HBO Max’s lineup. Seita and Setsuko's struggle is known to many, but that suffering is ignored. Like an anime subversion of the Little Mermaid tale, Ponyo feels like the last of Miyazaki's kid fantasies. Ashitaka steps between them, insists on peace, even as humans and gods go to war all around. 29. HBO Max has a small, but growing, list of original movies and TV shows that are exclusively found on the streaming service. My Neighbor Totoro centers on two sisters who have just moved with their father to the Japanese countryside as they await the recovery of their sick mother. The tanuki spend their days playing idly in the hillsides and squabbling over food, until the construction of a huge new Tokyo suburb clears the nearby forest and threatens their way of life. But that slow, easy pace, which perfectly mirrors the idyllic countryside setting, is a big reason why it's so easy to get into. And characters that seem scary, suddenly becoming endearing and adorable. Airships, pirates, ancient technology and political intrigue surround a nicely drawn relationship between a princess and an orphan boy, each with secret ties to a hidden floating city. Kiki isn't the same type of tough as San in Princess Mononoke, but Kiki's struggle to overcome self-doubt is no less heroic. 251. Her well-meaning father's attempts to transform Kaguya into a "princess" sneak up on you, growing brutal and traumatic. In the English language version, the characters are brought to life by an amazing cast -- Christian Bale as Howl, Billy Crystal as Calcifer, Lauren Bacall as the Witch of the Waste, and Jeans Simmons and Emily Mortimer, respectfully, as the old/young Sophie. I was there and I experienced it, so I know what it was like.". "There are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform," HBO Max and Warner Bros. reaffirmed in a statement to THR. A Harry Potter live-action TV series is in early development at HBO Max. 1. The film's weighty themes emerge subtly, however, like the wind changing direction in the trees. ", Stream It Or Skip It: 'Spycraft' On Netflix, A Docuseries About How Espionage Has Developed Over The Decades. That long drive in the car, looking out the window at a quiet forest. It is reliable and provides great speed for streaming on Netflix. The girl, Chihiro, loses her family and ends up working at a bath house for spirits until she can rescue them again. Express VPN. Back in October of 2019, Koji Hoshino, chairman of Studio Ghibli, spoke to Variety about bringing the studio's timeless library of films to HBO Max. Miyazaki gives the Ghibli treatment to an ordinary man in an extraordinary time. His name is Howl and he lives in a magical flying house that's powered by a plucky fire demon named Calcifer. All Studio Ghibli films stream exclusively on HBO Max in the U.S. As for Miyazaki, the director is continuing production on his first feature since 2013’s “The Wind Rises.” Get ready for Studio Ghibli’s first-ever 3DCG animated movie, in theaters February 3 and streaming exclusively on HBO Max February 5. There are no antagonists or scary monsters, or any real sense of conflict. She also seeks to kill the great forest spirit. For a tale about a guileless young witch flying around on a broomstick, Kiki's Delivery Service stays well-grounded. Studio Ghibli Japanese option. It's a morality tale of sorts, seen through the eyes of a young girl at odds with a world intent on putting her in a cage. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. While Studio Ghibli may be best known for 2D animation, they had ventured into the world of 3D last year with the release of Aya and the Witch, an adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones’ book Earwig and the Witch.. Now the movie is set to hit Western audiences this year, and HBO Max has released a trailer for the once again renamed Earwig and the Witch. But perhaps the most ringing endorsement is from my 4-year-old son. It didn't matter. In fact, throughout Miyazaki's various films, from a '70s-style crime caper, to sensitive explorations of childhood (and particularly girlhood), to historical dramas and fantasy epics, such visual invention has characterized nearly every frame. 2,674, This story has been shared 2,398 times. Studio Ghibli is responsible for some of the greatest animated films of all time, and finally, you can stream them all in one place! 519, This story has been shared 501 times. 'The Mandalorian' vs. 'The Boys' vs. 'Star Trek: Picard' vs. 'Tiger King': What Was The Biggest Streaming Show of 2020? No matter how much Jiro draws on nature to create his beautiful aeroplanes, they're destined to swoop and soar and kill and burn in the industrialised conflict of World War II -- and even a dreamer can't ignore the violence growing on the streets. HBO Max houses the Studio Ghibli film collection, including "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Spirited Away." Scooped up in his hands, Ponyo slurps a drop of blood from a nick on his finger. The battle scenes and smoke-belching flying warships are meant to be scary. It's a film that never stops bowling me over. Ponyo's evolution feels delicate, powerful and completely manic. Like many Japanese storytellers, the atom bomb reverberates through Miyazaki's filmography. Considering it's an adaptation of a 10th century text, Princess Kaguya is actually fairly faithful to its source material, taking the spine of a timeless tale and augmenting it with a feminist bent. HBO Max will be free for millions of subscribers. Studio Ghibli brought the world Totoro, Ponyo, Kiki and Howl -- and now much of the globe has them all at its fingertips. Studio Ghibli Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社スタジオジブリ, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Jiburi) is a Japanese animation film studio headquartered in Koganei, Tokyo. Takahata himself lived through the war and much of the movie is directly inspired by his own experiences. Share. How to Watch Studio Ghibli movies with a VPN. Jake Kleinman 5.27.2020 4:15 PM We also learn that being old -- especially an old woman -- doesn't mean you can't do remarkable things. Like the best children's literature, it sticks in my brain. You can learn more about these films and … Studio Ghibli has partnered with Disney’s Buena Vista Pictures. All Studio Ghibli films stream exclusively on HBO Max in the U.S. As for Miyazaki, the director is continuing production on his first feature since 2013’s “The Wind Rises.” VyprVPN. Late in the film, Ashitaka's steed -- a red elk named Yakurru -- takes an arrow to the thigh. 1,296, This story has been shared 1,268 times. In Mononoke, Lady Eboshi leads Iron Town, a human settlement producing rifles and warring with the gods of the forest. Most of the movies follow the distinguished style of director Hayao Miyazaki, who was one of the founders of the company — but a handful departs from the Miyazaki aesthetic. Miyazaki's story has a simple message: War is bad. Where to Watch Liam Neeson’s ‘The Marksman’, 'Run Hide Fight' Aims To Push Buttons, But Only Succeeds In Getting The Audience To Push The "Stop" Button, Stream It Or Skip It: 'So My Grandma's A Lesbian!' I know why I love Spirited Away, but it's amazing that so many others feel the same way about it. Yes, there are lurking spirits, a dragon-boy, dust sprites. But we're brought back down to earth by hints of violence as the old world transitions to a faster, brighter, horror-filled future. While exploring their new home, the two encounter various forest spirits, including the massive, furry and cuddly namesake creature that inevitably smiles, roars, yawns and flies its way into your heart. Among the eerie… The breathless adventure is a joy to watch. Studio Ghibli Sends Harvey Weinstein A Samurai Sword Threat. She is a strong, competent leader who hires women out of brothels and bandages lepers with bare hands. on Netflix, A Short and Sweet Documentary About the Lives of Two Incredible Women and the Families They Made, '101 Dalmatians' Saved Disney 60 Years Ago by Delivering Glamour on a Dime, Phil Lord and Chris Miller's 'The Mitchells vs. From the movie's initial place of tranquility, Miyazaki slowly layers on anxiety as Nausicaa's chances of saving her valley and the world seem to be snatched further from her reach. 'Below Deck' Recap: What's The Big Deal About Crew Members Banging In The Guest Rooms? They're human. 1,268, This story has been shared 752 times. 1,493, This story has been shared 1,296 times. Small forest spirits called Kodama begin to materialize around Ashitaka, walking with him. Take in a girl’s adventure with a selfless boy. My Neighbor Totoro's unabashedly optimistic and comforting vibe, which wraps around you like a warm, cozy blanket, is the perfect antidote to our anxiety and uncertainty-filled reality. Nothing in Ponyo is too scary. While the anime films have been available to stream on Netflix outside of the U.S. since January, we’re finally getting the Ghibli treatment in the States. Check them out for masterful storytelling, luxurious countryside illustration, and of course, the beautiful animated food. HBO Max is continuing its strong anime streak with the addition of four new films, two documentaries, and an upcoming Studio Ghibli movie this month, courtesy of … HBO Max is currently available for new customers for $14.99 a month. A remarkable aspect of Spirited Away is Miyazaki's grounded style. Spirited Away is frustrating, exciting, heartwarming, chilling, adorable and off-putting. 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