GHIBLI GABBLE: My Neighbor Totoro

Showing posts with label My Neighbor Totoro. Show all posts

Wednesday, 8 May 2013

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.

Artwork

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

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

The Studio Ghibli Basics!

Hand-painted watercolour background featured in Howl's Moving Castle, 2004

The Basics

Studio Ghibli is a Japanese film studio that produces feature-length and short animated (or ‘anime’ – the animation style exclusive to Japan) films. These films are known for their unique hand-drawn style and vibrant palate and instantly recognisable. It is not only their visual style that makes these masterpieces so recognisable, but their adventurous and intricate plots – which on surface level may be taken as children’s stories, where in reality these heart-felt tales often have a much more complex and contain a deeper message!

Conception

The Tokyo-based studio was established in 1985 by producer Suzuki Toshio, and directors Takahata Isao and Miyazaki Hayao – each of whom prior to the studio’s founding held prominent careers in publishing, television and animation. The studio was conceived after the release of Miyazaki’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind in 1984, a feature-length film which a gained favourable reception and success in Japan and thus was released the subsequent year in America (where unfortunately in underwent not only a title change, but heavy editing/‘Americanisation’).

In 1986, Studio Ghibli released its first film to success among Japanese audiences; Laputa: Castle in the Sky - written and directed by Miyazaki. However, it was not until the studio’s second release 1988, Grave of the Fireflies, (this time written/directed by Takahata) did they gain recognition abroad. Released in the same year, once more Miyazaki took the director’s role for My Neighbour Totoro, which remains as one of the studio’s most iconic productions (literally - Totoro being the symbol/company logo of Studio Ghibli).

Critical Acclaim

From their founding to present day, Studio Ghibli has earned a multitude of awards and achievements for their productions, the most prominent of which including: the 2003 75th Academy Awards Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away, the 2005 Tokyo Anime Awards Best Director, Best Voice Actor/Actress, Best Music for Howl’s Moving Castle, the 2009 Japanese Academy Award Best Animated Film for Ponyo.

What You Might Not Know…

In regards to the studio’s name; Miyazaki, a noted aircraft enthusiast chose ‘Ghibli’ as it is is derived from the Arabic name for the Mediterranean wind (sirocco) or ‘hot wind blowing through the Sahara Desert’, used for Italian scouting planes during World War. The notion behind being the studio would "blow a new wind through the anime industry".

References:

All You Need to Know About Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli: A Brief History

10 Years of Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli: A Potted Film History Of Japan’s Animation Favorite

Post by Alia