Ponyo Watercolor Panaramas

Possible Spoilers!! These illustrations are very large, so don't be deceived by the small size here on the blog. Just click on each one to see them in their full view.

I found these two amazing panarama illustrations from Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea from this French photography blog. These both looked so spectacular, such a wondrous lush work of art, that I had to share it.

I am not entirely certain where these come from. They may be from the Japanese soundtrack CD. I can't read French and had to rely on Google Translate. These large and ultra-wide illustrations may also be found elsewhere among the Japanese art books.

Have I mentioned how much I love Ponyo's watercolor art style? It reminds me so much of the children's storybooks I grew up with. The vivid brushstrokes, the warm and deep colors, the sensation of a world that is vastly populated, mysterious, just waiting to be discovered. Why am I also reminded of the Super Mario videogames?

Studio Ghibli has dedicated the past decade to perfectly capturing that rich watercolor look, a visual style that seemed all but impossible in animation. Perhaps all the major studios were too concerned with playing it safe, following the successful formulas. Perhaps the independent animators are busy creating their own visions, struggling to realize their dreams as is. Is there room in today's world for innovation in this artform? I hope so, but it seems so difficult.

We are not going to have Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata with us for much longer. We need the younger generations to carry the torch. Otherwise, the future of animation lies with the likes of Transformers and G.I. Joe, not Ponyo or Wall-E.