Studio Ghibli vs. Disney Pixar

There is no doubt in my mind that Studio Ghibli has produced some of the best animation films the world has seen since its inception in 1985. However, despite all the achievements of creative geniuses including Miyazaki and Takahata, it would be wrong to say that they are the only ones producing such exceptional animation features. Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, began its road to success in 1995 with the release of Toy Story. Since then, Pixar has won a multitude of awards; its films highly regarded amongst both critics and the public. But are Pixar films really better than Ghibli ones? Or is it the other way around? Read on to find out!
 

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Visual Style

Let’s start with one of the most obvious differences: the animation style of the two studios. Ghibli films are produced primarily using traditional animation techniques, whilst Pixar makes use of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery). So what does this mean for the look of the films? The difference goes beyond Ghibli films being 2D and Pixar’s 3D. Each and every frame in Ghibli films is drawn by hand, and the smallest details (such as a flower in the background) are never overlooked. Knowing this makes us appreciate their films even more, as each feature is a work of art. Pixar, focused on delivering high quality animations using the latest CGI technologies, lacks some of this attention to detail. Whilst both studios have very different visual styles, they are both of an exceptionally high standard.

Studio Ghibli
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Story

Both Studio Ghibli and Pixar films are highly unique and imaginative. However, Ghibli movies have more varied stories, many drawing ideas from folklore and mythology. The Japanese film studio also understands that often simple is best, with many of their films having no life-threatening scenarios leaving viewers on the edge of their seat. (There are exceptions of course.) Often the beauty of Ghibli films arises from their simplicity and artistic merits. Studio Ghibli also doesn’t do sequels. Cars 2, Monsters University, Finding Dory... It’s almost as though Pixar has run out of ideas!

Disney Pixar
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Emotion

Clearly if both studios can produce great stories, it must mean they stir the audience emotionally as well. Let’s face it, Studio Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies would make even the strongest of people shed a few tears. But even Ghibli cannot compare to the heartbreaking opening scenes of Pixar’s Up and the loneliness of Wall-E as he roams around on an abandoned Earth. And the clever visual jokes present throughout Pixar films are not to be forgotten either.

Wall-E
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And the winner is...

Both! Yeah I know, you’re probably thinking what a disappointing and indecisive conclusion this is. But, as you’ve probably noticed, this is a blog all about Studio Ghibli, and I’m not going to pretend our view on this isn't just a little bit biased. The truth is, it’s all up to your own individual tastes and there is no right or wrong answer. No matter which animation studio you prefer, both produce extraordinary films with visually stunning animation and stories that captivate all audiences.

But hey, who says you have to choose between the two? WHY NOT HAVE BOTH? If you take a look at the picture below, you’ll see Mei from My Neighbor Totoro. She looks a tad different though, doesn’t she? This is what she would probably look like if Studio Ghibli decided to adopt 3D CGI animation like Pixar. Have a look at the article, If Studio Ghibli Made Pixar Films, They’d Look Like This, it’s definitely worth checking out!

 

References:

• Wikipedia – Studio Ghibli and Pixar

• HubPages – Studio Ghibli vs. Pixar: A comparison

• Time Out – Studio Ghibli Vs Disney Pixar: an animated debate

• Yahoo Movies – What Disney Could Learn From Studio Ghibli

 Post by Chloe

To-To-Ro, Totoro! To-To-Ro, Totoro!

Quick, name the first Studio Ghibli film that pops into your head! Did you recognise Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service at the top of this page? Or perhaps you thought of your all-time favourite Ghibli masterpiece Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away? Chances are you thought of My Neighbor Totoro. And not just because of the title of this post. Or even because our lovable friend features in the company’s logo. Totoro is without a doubt one of the most recognizable characters in Japan and around the world. Move over Mickey Mouse, there’s a new cartoon character in town! Well, in 1988 there was. But hey, that was 25 YEARS ago, and Totoro is still just as well-known today! Hayao Miyazaki really did create a memorable character for children and adults alike.

So we all know Totoro appeared in My Neighbor Totoro, but did you know he’s made an appearance in other Studio Ghibli films as well? These include Kiki’s Delivery Service, Pom Poko and Whisper of the Heart. Totoro has even made cameo appearances in western creations including South Park and Toy Story 3.

a Totoro soft toy in Pixar's Toy Story 3
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Totoro Mania

As you can see, My Neighbor Totoro has clearly influenced the world of film. But its impact on society ranges far more than this! Think Totoro-themed food, nail art, bags and more! Scroll down to see just how much our favourite furry friend has inspired people all over the world.

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Artwork by Mai Tran

Food

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Nail Art

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Other

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Can’t get enough of Totoro? Click on the links below and have a look at just how much Totoro-inspired stuff is out there!

 

References:

• Pinterest – Totoro Mania

• Ling’s Blog – Cute Totoro Bags

• Facebook – Totoro Fan Art

• Wikipedia – My Neighbor Totoro

 

Post by Chloe

Profile of Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎 駿) was born in Bunkyo, Tokyo, on January 5th, 1941. Through a fifty year career as a film director, producer, and screenwriter, animator, and manga artist Miyazaki has become one of the most esteemed artists in film on an international scale.

Career

Miyzaki was involved in many of the early classics of anime as he started his career in 1963 as an animator at the studio Toei Dōga. From the beginning, he commanded attention with his incredible ability to draw, and the seemingly-endless stream of movie ideas he proposed. In 1971, he moved to A Pro with Isao Takahata, then to Nippon Animation in 1973, where he was heavily involved in the World Masterpiece Theater TV animation series for the next five years. In 1978, he directed his first TV series, Conan, The Boy in Future, then moved to Tokyo Movie Shinsha in 1979 to direct his first movie, the classic Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro.

Works

Throughout his career Miyzaki has been involved in the production of over fifty works including feature-length films, television series and manga. Of Studio Ghibli's twenty-some films, Miyazaki has either directed or co-directed ten!


'The Wind is Rising' (Kaze Tachinu/風立ちぬ) is a Studio Ghibli film currently in production and set to be released 20th July 2013. It will be the first film Miyazaki has directed in five years.

The Wind Rising promotional image.

Achievements

Miyzaki has earned a multitude of achievements for his work; since 1980, he has been either nominated for or won close to one hundred awards!

Influences

The majority of the recurring themes found in Ghibli films are consequence of Miyzaki's personal and artistic influences. From early childhood Miyazaki was fascinated by drawing models of aeroplanes. This obsession with aircraft and flight (especially human flight e.g Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind) has continued throughout his life and influenced his career. He sees flight as a form of liberation from gravity and thus the theme of motif has appeared in the majority of his works in some incarnation or another.



References:

Hayao Miyazaki Brief Biography
Ghibli Wiki Miyazaki Entry
Anime News Network Miyzaki Profile




Post by Alia

Review of Grave of the Fireflies

Background

Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓) is a Japanese animated film scripted and directed by Isao Takahata in 1988 (before some of you were born!). It is based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical novel by Japanese novelist Akiyuki Nosaka. Some stories attract people’s attention either because the plot is excellent or because they can relate to the characters' lives. Akiyuki Nosaka wrote the novel is based on his experiences before, during and after the firebombing in Kobe in 1945. One of his sisters died as the result of a sickness, his adoptive father died during the firebombing proper, and another sister died of malnutrition in Fukui. It is written as a personal apology to his sister, regarding her death.

Plot

The film is based on a 14 year old boy Seita and his younger sister Setsuko and their story after the end of World War II. It begins with a fleet of bombers flying overhead Seita and Setsuko, who are left to secure the house and their belongings, allowing their mother, who suffers from a heart condition, to reach a bomb shelter. They are caught off-guard as the bombers begin to drop hundreds of incendiary bomblets, which start huge fires that quickly destroy their neighbourhood and most of the city in Kobe. Although they survive unscathed, their mother is caught in the air raid and is horribly burned. She is taken to a makeshift clinic in a school, but dies a short time later.


Having nowhere else to go, Setsuko and Seita move in with a distant aunt, who allows them to stay but convinces Seita to sell his mother's kimonos for rice. While living with their relatives, Seita goes out to retrieve leftover supplies he had buried in the ground before the bombing. He gives all of it to his aunt, but hides a small tin of fruit drops. Their aunt continues to shelter them, but as their food rations continue to shrink due to the war, she becomes increasingly resentful. She openly remarks on how they do nothing to earn the food she cooks.


Seita and Setsuko finally decide to leave and move into an abandoned bomb shelter as they become orphans and homeless. They release fireflies into the shelter to use them as light, and Seita tries his best to find food to feed not only himself but his sibling Setsuko after they run out of rice. This forced Seita to steal from local farmers but he got caught, and found out that his father probably died at the bottom of the ocean. After Setsuko dies from malnutrition, Seita puts her ashes in the fruit tin, which he carries with his father's photograph until his own death arrives from malnutrition in the station.

Characters

Seita

Being only 14 years old when his father went away with the Navy, Seita is the responsible member of the household. During the air raids, he is the one to take care of this sister while instructing his Mum to go to the shelter first. He protects his younger sister Setsuko like a parent, and tries his best to keep her safe. When she is sad, he tries to cheer her up with a fruit candy tin. He believes very strongly in his father and the Japanese army. He is stubborn and didn't believe they were going to lose but the war took almost everything: his mother, his home... This made him grow up very fast, and he became his sister’s protector.





Setsuko

A very happy and innocent girl at the start of the film. She is 4 years old and adores her older brother Seita, eager to help him out whenever she can. She seems too innocent to understand the war taking place around her. When she becomes aware that her mother is dead (even without anyone telling her), she cries that her mother is never coming back. With all this suffering and loss in her life, she becomes terrified of losing her brother but it turns out he is the one to lose her.



Seita and Setsuko's Mother
Their mother is a respectful and natural identity. She is an ideal mother figure. She loves her children and has a good control of things, even during the war which has made her husband go off to fight.


Seita's Aunt

Seita's aunt is attached to her values, which include hard work and solemnity during wartime. As a typical house wife, she is strict and often quite cruel or selfish but this could be a reflection of the natural human state during wartime.

Review

Grave of the Fireflies is a very touching and thoughtful story. The theme takes us to the life after war time which Seita has to suffer, leaving his home to escape the incendiary bombs which cause his mother's death. Even though the war has finished, there is still a lot of suffering; when people lie in the grave, the people who live suffer even more. The film tells a simply story of survival. Seita and his sister must find a place to stay and food to eat. Eventually, it is hard for Seita to manage this but it's just a simple thing called responsibility needed to take care of his only sister. The audience empathises with Seita's character. The first scene shows Seita dead in a subway station, so we can guess Setsuko’s fate through flashback by Seita. Just from looking at the title of the film, we already know it will be a sad story but once finished, I guarantee 10 out of 10 people will definitely cry after viewing this film.

References:

Wikipedia

Google Images

Ghibli Studio








Post by Rex

Studio Ghibli in Numbers

 

 

References:

• Wikipedia
• IMDb
• Google Images

Post by Chloe

Ghibli Gabble Special - The Dedication of Ghibli Fans and Fan Art

So why is this a Ghibli Gabble special? Well, it will gather people who live all around the world! First things first, not everyone knows what Ghibli is so I'd like to be your tour guide to show you around. Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio based in Koganei, Tokyo, Japan which began in June 1985. Their animation is different from the kinds of anime which feature cute characters with big eyes or wearing sexy costumes.

My Neighbour Totoro

Miku

Fan Art

People are often inspired by what they see on TV. Sometimes we’re inspired by characters, sometimes costumes, sometimes scenery, or maybe just the storyline. This article showcases a huge collection of Ghibli fan art, from modern hits such as Howl’s Moving Castle , Spirited Away andCastle in the Sky, to some going a little further back in time such as Princess Mononoke and Kiki’s Delivery Service etc. The showcase is full of different kinds of art, from traditional pencil sketches to modern digital illustrations. These are sure to inspire!

Howl's Moving Castle

Spirited Away

My personal favourite - Kaonashi

Laputa: Castle In The Sky

Fan art, which can be singular or plural, can be defined as graphic representations of various media forms that have numerous fans. Many types of fan art exist; people write stories, plays, or screenplays about characters or worlds that have already been created. As the name 'fan' suggests, those who are significant fans of a certain character, show, fictional world or the like usually produce this work. With fan art, instead of writing, artists usually paint, draw, or use other graphic forms to copy, represent, explore or extend the life of a created character or world.

Princess Mononoke

Some fans like to cosplay, dressing themselves to represent a character they like

There are many examples of fan art, and these may start when kids are little and want to draw their favourite cartoon character. Those gifted in art may learn exactly how to draw or recreate something beloved from a comic book, TV show, video game or movie. One common area of fan art is reproductions of art based on Japanese manga and on anime. People may use a combination of drawing and writing to create further adventures of a comic book character.

Kiki's Delivery Service

In addition to art inspired by manga or anime, very popular books and movies tend to be the inspiration for tonnes of fanart. For instance, the Star Wars series, Marvel series and others can stir up the souls of artists so that they create numerous representations of the characters or world. There are many online sites that feature fanart museums or galleries. Those who complete a piece of art may submit it to these sites for possible inclusion. Usually the only reward for them is sharing their love of a particular fictional thing with others.







References:

Wikipedia
Studio Ghibli Wiki
Online Ghibli
Google Images
Zero Chan


Post by Rex