General Questions
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio founded in 1985 by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, along with producer Toshio Suzuki. The studio is known for its high-quality animated films that often feature strong female protagonists, environmental themes, and fantastical elements.
The name "Ghibli" comes from the Italian word for a hot desert wind, which Miyazaki used to describe his desire to "blow a new wind through the Japanese animation industry." The name also references the Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli, an Italian aircraft used in World War II.
Film Questions
Studio Ghibli's first film was "Castle in the Sky" (1986), directed by Hayao Miyazaki. However, some of the studio's founders had previously worked together on "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" (1984), which is often considered a Ghibli film despite being made before the studio's official founding.
"Spirited Away" (2001) is Studio Ghibli's most successful film both critically and commercially. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and remains the highest-grossing film in Japanese history. The film's success helped introduce Studio Ghibli to a wider international audience.
Studio Questions
Yes, Studio Ghibli is still active. After Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement in 2013, he returned to direct "How Do You Live?" (2023). The studio continues to produce new films and has also expanded into other ventures, including the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park.
Studio Ghibli is located in Koganei, Tokyo, Japan. The studio has several buildings, including the main production building and the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo. In 2022, Ghibli Park opened in Aichi Prefecture, featuring attractions based on the studio's films.