The Impact of Studio Ghibli on the Anime Industry
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Introduction
Introduction
Studio Ghibli, co-founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, has profoundly influenced Japanese anime production, elevating it to an internationally respected art form in movie theaters. Its founding broke the standard of just ‘Shounen’ and ‘Shoujo’ genre, making itself stand out among the crowd. Through their commitment to hand-drawn animation, intricate storytelling, and cultural authenticity, Ghibli has set new standards that continue to inspire animators worldwide.
Hand-Drawn Animation and Attention to Detail
Hand-Drawn Animation and Attention to Detail
In an era increasingly dominated by computer drawn imagery, Studio Ghibli excels in traditional hand-drawn animation. This dedication is shown clearly in films like Spirited Away (2001), where each frame is meticulously crafted to convey emotion and atmosphere. The attention to detail is especially incredible, with gravity, textures and shadows depicted realistically (Watsiqoh 2023). Hayao Miyazaki is so insistent on quality that he often personally inspects and retouches thousands of frames during production, ensuring a level of detail that set Ghibli apart from its competitors.
Watch the following video to learn more about the film creating process of Studio Ghibli!
Story Depth and Universal Themes
Story Depth and Universal Themes
Ghibli's films are famous for their complex characters and universal themes. Princess Mononoke (1997) delves into environmental conflict and the duality of human nature, while My Neighbor Totoro (1988) captures the innocence and wonder of childhood. Additionally, many of their movies have a common setting of being in nature, weather being in the beautiful nature we know and love in My Neighbor Totoro (1988), or Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) where the restoration of nature is the most important task for mankind (Watsiqoh 2023). The idea that he always advocates is that the preservation of nature and living with nature without disturbing it is the best way for humans to live (Lioi 2015). By using such themes, Ghibli has shown that anime can possess and convey a deeper meaning than most other anime movies.
Cultural Authenticity and Global Appeal
Cultural Authenticity and Global Appeal
While deeply rooted in Japanese culture, Ghibli's films bring its beauty to the world. The story of Spirited Away, for instance, is centered around Shinto folklore and folklores from Miyazaki’s home, introducing international audiences to aspects of Japanese spirituality tradition and religion (Moser 2023). The movie won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which is also the only fully hand-drawn anime movie to have earned that award (Zephyrus 2023). However, in movies ‘Kiki’s delivery service’(1989) and ‘Porco Rosso’(1992), the setting is in Europe, but it still maintains a high level of authenticity of the culture there. With all these elements, Studio Ghibli has successfully gained and continues to gain a large international audience with its masterpieces.
The 'Bath House' from the movie 'Spirited Away'
Influence on the Anime Industry
Influence on the Anime Industry
Studio Ghibli's success has had a great effect throughout the anime industry. It has proven that hand-drawn animated films can be both artistically beautiful and commercially viable, Ghibli has encouraged other studios to pursue projects that prioritize quality and storytelling instead of cutting costs in pursuit of profit. This shift has led to a broader acceptance of anime as a legitimate and respected form of art in movie theaters. Studio Ghibli indeed is a resilient force in the anime industry, which definitely has had long-lasting impacts to animation standards across the globe.
Want to explore the powerful themes that tie Ghibli’s stories together? Keep reading!
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