Last month, Toshio Suzuki unveiled Kokuriko-Zaka Kara at the official Toho press conference in Japan. He discussed the planning and decisions leading to its production, the involvement of Hayao Miyazaki (designing the poster and early planning for the movie, before handing it off to son Goro), and took a number of questions from reporters.
The transcript of the Kara press conference is in Japanese, unfortunately. Is there somebody who can translate it into English? I want to publish an English translation here on The Ghibli Blog. If you can help out, I'd greatly appreciate it.
2011-01-13
Poster: Kokuriko-Zaka Kara
The first movie poster for Studio Ghibli's 2011 feature film, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, directed by Goro Miyazaki with scriptwriting help by father Hayao Miyazaki. The story is adapted from a Japan shoujo manga (girl's comic) about a teenage girl who lives in a fishing town. In other words, the perfect subject for a Ghibli movie. I really love this design, the cool blue tones, its calm, down-to-earth setting. The naturalist Ghibli films have always been my favorite, and it's my hope that this tradition continues.
It's fascinating to see an animation studio so devoted to making movies for teenage girls. The very idea is alien to Hollywood thinking, where boys are always the center of attention. Even Disney's Tangled was shifted during production from a girl-oriented fantasy into more of a boys' adventure. And even when girls take the lead, it's only within the framework of the fairy-tale archetype. I'm not entirely sure why this happens; perhaps the enormous costs of producing movies forces a certain conservation of style. But I think it's worth examining.
I would love to see Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks make shoujo movies as Studio Ghibli has done. The last time I checked, females are the majority of the population. Hollywood obsesses about 13-year-old boys. Shouldn't you get some attention as well?
Arrietty Now Playing in France
The Borrower Arrietty is now playing in theaters across France. This is the first Western country to carry Studio Ghibli's latest feature film, which is something of a tradition. Not only are the French among the most devout followers of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, they share a rich heritage of animation that rivals Japan. The rest of the world should be seeing this movie on our screens by summer.
Have any Ghibli Blog followers in France seen Arrietty? What did you think? Feel free to share your impressions on this post.
2011-01-12
Arrietty the Borrower in US Theaters This Year, Voice Cast Announced
Yes! Karigurashi no Arrietty will open in US theaters this year. The news comes from producer Frank Marshall, who served as the American producer for Ponyo in 2008. The movie's official US title will be Arrietty the Borrower.
The voice cast for Arietty has also been announced by Mr. Marshall. The lead is being played by Bridgit Mendler, whose recording sessions began this past weekend. Playing the parents are Will Arnett and Amy Poehler. Their recording sessions began yesterday. Finally, David Henrie and Carol Burnett - yes, Carol Burnett! - will be voicing the human "beans," as Marshall describes.
A final release date has yet to be set, but we should assume a late August release, in keeping with Ponyo and Tales From Earthsea. I also expect more publicity to arise in March, with the release of Earthsea on DVD and Nausicaa on Blu-Ray.
The Ghibli Blog will keep everyone updated on any major developments as they arise...and whenever I can actually spare 15 minutes to write the post.
2011-01-11
The Last Unicorn on Blu-Ray/DVD Combo February 22
The 1982 cult animated classic, The Last Unicorn, will be released on Blu-Ray and DVD. Animation fans are eagerly looking forward to this movie, which should look spectacular in high-definition. Peter S. Beagle, the author of the original novel, has recorded a commentary track for the picture, which should be an exciting addition for fans. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing his insights.
The Blu-Ray also includes a making-of featurette, which could prove especially thrilling for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli fans. As everyone now knows, Japan's Topcraft studio was commissioned to animate The Last Unicorn; the quality of the project impressed Miyazaki enough that he hired them for his film adaptation of Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, bringing along his top lieutenants from Telecom and longtime partner Isao Takahata.
The success of Nausicaa led to the creation of Studio Ghibli in 1985. Many people have remarked that Ghibli was really Topcraft with a new name, as most of the artists were brought into the fold. As such, The Last Unicorn is today regarded as a proto-Ghibli production.
Of course, this movie has greatness in its own right, and deserves a place in your movie library regardless of what happened to the painters and animators. It's a thoughtful story, willing to embrace the conventions of Western fairy tales even while it deconstructs them. There is an undercurrent of sorrow, the loss of a magical world as a child grows up, that gives The Last Unicorn its depth. I'm sure Beagle will have much more to say on the commentary track.
For animation lovers, this will be the movie event of February. Start saving your nickels and dimes, kids.
Make Your Own Totoro Origami
Thanks to AICN Anime for pointing us to this little gem - a Totoro Origami. The instructions are in Japanese, but the pictures are easy enough to follow. I think you should be able to put this together with a little practice, and then draw and color in your own Totoro details. Enjoy!
2011-01-10
Photos - Lupin III Series One, Episode 7
Seventh episode of Lupin III Series One, titled. "A Wolf Calls a Wolf." This is the first episode of the series directed by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, after they reunited with elder brother Yasuo Otsuka at A-Pro. This is an excellent episode, one of my favorites. It still contains the hardboiled violence of the early episodes - notice the particularly gruesome killing of a couple thugs in a cave - but begins the transition towards the funnier, more slapstick-oriented later episodes.
One thing I really enjoy about the original Lupin III is the chemistry of the four main characters. There's a tension, but also a closeness that reminds me of, of all things, Seinfeld. Seriously. This series was Seinfeld With Guns.
Portait of the Artist as a Young Man #2 - Miyazaki and Takahata
Here are some photographs of a young Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, both in their early 30s, working as the "directors team" for Lupin III Series One, circa 1972. The footage hails from the exellent Ghibli documentary DVD, Yasuo Otsuka's Joy in Motion.
Both Takahata and Miyazaki had followed Otsuka-san from Toei to A-Productions, to work on the new Lupin III television anime. The series, which only ran for two seasons and 23 episodes, was plagued by poor ratings, and the new directors were brought in as part of a mandate from the suits on top. The gritty violence and sex of the early episodes would give way to more humor and slapstick, but balanced with tighter scripts and more focused direction.
It's important to remember how crucial this collaboration was for the young artists. Takahata was the elder brother, the revolutionary, the genius; but he was not a craftsman, and needed skilled animators to realize his vision. Miyazaki became Takahata's greatest partner, not only because of his boundless skills, but his own impassioned, instinctive nature provided the perfect counterbalance to Paku-san's calculated logic.
These two always reminded me of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. But that's probably just me.
2011-01-09
Ghibli Blog v3.0 Ready to Go!
Alright, I think the new improvements will do nicely. The weekend project is just about done (for now)!
I can see that the menu items are already being noticed, and it's now easier than ever to read your favorite reviews and essays, watch videos, and download movies. Videos and selected blog posts are on the middle column of the main page, and these will be rotated around from time to time.
For now, I wanted to highlight Yoshiyuki Momose's three Capsule videos, which are probably my favorite Studio Ghibli short films (and unseen in the West, like all the studio's shorts); Momose's latest video, 2009's Piece; and Dore Dore no Uta, one of the catchier songs I've come across, drawn and animated in Ghibli's Yamada-kun style that I enjoy so much. These films look spectacular when playing on my Sony HDTV, courtesy of the Short Short DVD. Now you'll be able to watch these right on the blog.
One more change I'd like to make: a Ghibli Blog Logo. If anyone skilled in Photoshop would like to help out, I'd greatly appreciate it.
UPDATE: A logo should be 500 x 150 pixels and transparent. Be creative. We'll try everyone's ideas out.
I can see that the menu items are already being noticed, and it's now easier than ever to read your favorite reviews and essays, watch videos, and download movies. Videos and selected blog posts are on the middle column of the main page, and these will be rotated around from time to time.
For now, I wanted to highlight Yoshiyuki Momose's three Capsule videos, which are probably my favorite Studio Ghibli short films (and unseen in the West, like all the studio's shorts); Momose's latest video, 2009's Piece; and Dore Dore no Uta, one of the catchier songs I've come across, drawn and animated in Ghibli's Yamada-kun style that I enjoy so much. These films look spectacular when playing on my Sony HDTV, courtesy of the Short Short DVD. Now you'll be able to watch these right on the blog.
One more change I'd like to make: a Ghibli Blog Logo. If anyone skilled in Photoshop would like to help out, I'd greatly appreciate it.
UPDATE: A logo should be 500 x 150 pixels and transparent. Be creative. We'll try everyone's ideas out.
Bugs Bunny Cartoons on Ghibli Blog? Fat Chance, Thanks to Warner
Remember all those Bugs Bunny and Road Runner cartoons I posted here on Ghibli Blog over a year ago? They're all gone. Every last one of 'em, shut down on Youtube. I grew up watching cartoons on tv everyday for free. Now the conglomerates expect you to pony up $50 for the experience. What a bunch of greedy jerks.
I'd like to say more, but there are pre-school toys present.
Ghibli Blog Videos
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| STUDIO GHIBLI FEATURES AND SHORT FILMS |
Short Films
1992 The Sky-Colored Seed
2000 Ghiblies
Trailers
2012 Arrietty the Borrower (US)
2009 Ponyo (US)
2008 Ponyo (Japan)
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| TAKAHATA, MIYAZAKI, FILM AND TV |
Film and Television
1958 Hakujaden
1961 Anju to Zushiomaru
1962 Arabian Nights: The Adventures of Sinbad (dub)
1963 Wan Wan Chuushingura
1963 Gulliver's Space Travels
1965 Hustle Punch
1967 Jack and the Witch (Part 1)(Part 2)
1968 Anderson Monogatari
1969 Puss in Boots
1969 Flying Ghost Ship
1969 Moretsu Ataru (Takahata episodes)
1971 Animal Treasure Island
1971 Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves
1971 Apache Yakyuugun (Baseball Academy), Ep. 2
1972 Yuki's Sun (Pilot Film)
1974 Heidi, Girl of the Alps (52 Episodes, English subs)
1976 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (52 episodes, English subs)
1977 Tenguri, Boy of the Plains
1979 Anne of Green Gables (50 episodes, English subs)
1982 Gauche the Cellist (English subtitles)
1984 Nemo (Pilot Film)
Trailers
1958 Hakujaden (Japan)
1959 Shonen Sarutobe Sasuke (Japan)
1960 Saiyuki (Japan)
1961 Anju to Zushiomaru
1962 Arabian Nights: The Adventures of Sinbad (Japan)
1963 Wan Wan Chuushingura (Japan)
1967 Jack and the Witch
1968 The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun (Japan)
1969 The Flying Ghost Ship
1969 Puss in Boots (Japan)
1971 Animal Treasure Island (Japan)
1971 Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves
1972 Puss in Boots 2: Nagagutsu Sanjushi
1977 Tenguri, Boy of the Plains
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| ANIME AND WESTERN ANIMATION |
Films
1935 The Band Concert (Disney)
1985 Angel's Egg
1985 Night on the Galactic Railroad
1990 Like the Clouds, Like the Wind
Trailers
1985 Night on the Galactic Railroad (Japan)
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| LIVE-ACTION MOVIES! ACTING! GENIUS! |
Interviews and Videos
Hayao Miyazaki Meets Moebius
Hayao Miyazaki's Thoughts on Pixar's Up
Heidi Exhibit at the Ghibli Museum
John Lasseter and Hayao Miyazaki Press Conference
Kazuo Oga Paints a Landscape
Roger Ebert Pays Tribute to Grave of the Fireflies
The Ponyo Boat in Action
2011-01-08
Ghibli Blog Reviews
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| STUDIO GHIBLI FEATURES, SHORTS, DVD/BD REVIEWS |
Feature Films
2014 The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
2014 Ronia the Robber's Daughter
2014 When Marnie Was There
2013 The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
2013 The Wind Rises
2011 From Up On Poppy Hill
2010 The Secret World of Arrietty
2008 Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea
2006 Gedo Senki (Tales From Earthsea)
2004 Howl's Moving Castle
2002 The Cat Returns the Favor
2001 Spirited Away
1999 My Neighbors the Yamadas
1997 Princess Mononoke
1995 Mimi wo Sumaseba (Whisper of the Heart)
1994 Heisei Tanuki Gassan Pom Poko
1993 Umi Ga Kikoeru (Ocean Waves)
1992 Porco Rosso
1991 Omohide Poro Poro (Only Yesterday)
1989 Kiki's Delivery Service
1988 My Neighbor Totoro
1988 Grave of the Fireflies
1987 The Story of the Yanagawa Canals
1986 Laputa: Castle in the Sky
1984 Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind
Short Films
2010 Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess
2010 Nisshan Seifun
2009 Piece
2005 A Flying City Plan
2005 Dore Dore no Uta
2004 Space Station No. 9
2004 Portable Airport
2003 Mei and the Kitten Bus
2003 Koro's Big Day Out
2002 Imaginary Flying Machines
2002 Ghiblies Episode 2
2000 Ghiblies Episode 1
1995 On Your Mark
Direct-to-Video (DVD/BD)
2011 Ghibli's Bookshelf
2007 Iblard Jikan
2006 The Night of Taneyamagahara
2005 Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum
2005 Ghibli ga Ippai Special: Short Short
2004 Yasuo Otsuka's Joy in Motion
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| TAKAHATA & MIYAZAKI FILM & TV REVIEWS |
Feature and Short Films
1982 Gauche the Cellist
1981 Jarinko Chie
1979 Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro
1977 Tenguri, Boy of the Plains
1973 Panda Kopanda and the Rainy Day Circus
1972 Panda Kopanda
1972 Yuki's Sun (Pilot Film)
Television Series
1981 Sherlock Hound
1980 Lupin III: Albatross: Wings of Death
1980 Lupin III: Farewell, Beloved Lupin
1979 Anne of Green Gables
1978 Future Boy Conan
1976 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
1974 Heidi, Girl of the Alps
1971 Lupin III: Series One
1976 Puss in Boots 3: Around the World in 80 Days
1972 Puss in Boots 2: Nagagutsu Sanjuushi
1972 Animal Treasure Island
1971 Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves
1969 The Flying Ghost Ship
1969 Puss in Boots
1968 The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun
1968 The World of Hans Christian Andersen
1965 Gulliver's Space Travels
1963 Little Prince & the Eight Headed Dragon
1962 Arabian Nights: The Adventures of Sinbad
1961 Anju to Zushiomaru
1958 Hakujaden
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| ANIME AND WESTERN ANIMATION REVIEWS |
Japanese Anime
2007 Paprika
2004 Innocence: Ghost in the Shell 2
2003 Winter Days
2001Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis
1990 Like the Clouds, Like the Wind
1985 Night on the Galactic Railroad
1984 Nemo (Pilot Film)
Western Animation
2007 The Simpson's Movie
2005 Dream On, Silly Dreamer
2004 Ryan
1982 The Last Unicorn
1966 It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Pixar/Disney
2008 Wall-E
2007 Ratatouille
2006 Cars
Ghibli Blog Library
Home >> Library
Here are a selection of "greatest hits" from the archives of Ghibli Blog. These essays discuss the works of Studio Ghibli, animation and the movies.
2006 A Primer on the Disney Deal, or Fat Chance
2006 Castle in the Sky: A Tale of Two DVD Covers
2006 Lupin, La Dolce Vita and the Title Sequence
2006 Opening Shots: Horus, Prince of the Sun
2006 Reconsidering The Cat Returns
2006 Thoughts on Hayao Miyazaki's Narrative Style
2006 Why Horus Matters
2007 Reiko Okuyama Has Passed Away
2007 Takahata Isao's Objective Style (Pt.I - VIII)
2007 The Heroine Image in Anime (by Minako Saitou)
2007 Totoro is Not the God of Death
2008 It's Not Prince Valiant, Ya Jerks
2008 Pixar, Wall-E and Rubber Soul
2008 Requiem and Gravitas in Castle in the Sky
2008 Seinfeld With Guns
2009 15 More Observations About Ponyo
2009 Everyone Has Their Reasons: Nausicaa's Title Sequence
2009 Gauche and the Galactic Railroad
2009 Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden
2009 Hot Chocolate With Honey
2009 Love and Theft and Goro-San
2009 Miyazaki and America: Separated by a Common Language
2009 Ponyo Floods the Pangea Room
2009 Ponyo "Tweaked" - Didn't That Movie Use to Have a War in It?
2010 A Look at Miyazaki's "Pig House" - The Nibariki Office
2010 Satoshi Kon Dead After Battle With Cancer
2011 Earthsea, Horus and Ghibli at the Crossroads
2011 Future Boy Conan - Blogathon
2011 "It Didn't Have Enough Toys"
2011 The History on Miyazaki's Mononoke Book
2011 What's the Deal With the Disney Princesses?
2012 Ghibli Blog Rankings - The 50 Greatest Movies
2012 Lupin III Series One - DVD Cover and Features
2013 Feeling Conflicted Over Poppy Hill
2014 Dead on Arrival - The End of Miyazaki in America?
2014 Disney's Frozen is a Lock for the Animated Feature Oscar
2015 Ghibli Blog Animation Poll: Master List
2015 Miyazaki Meets Kurosawa: The 1993 Broadcast (w/Transcripts)
2015 My Oscar Night Impressions
2015 What is Going to Happen to Pixar?
2016 50 Great Movies, 2016 Edition
2017 Totoro is Still Not the God of Death
2017 Warriors of the Wind: Tales From the Overlook Hotel
2017 Horus, Prince of the Sun Blu-Ray (Press Release)
2018 The Duality of Marco and Porco Rosso
2018 The Films of Isao Takahata, Part I
2018 The Continuing Adventures of Bungalow Bill
2019 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Complete Playlist
2020 Hayao Miyazaki: From Horus to Ghibli
Miyazaki Manga
1969 People of the Desert (Sabaku no Tami)
1969 Puss in Boots
1971 Animal Treasure Island
1980 Mononoke Hime
1983 Imouto He (For My Sister)
1983 The Journey of Shuna (Shuna no Tabi)
1989 L'Ère des hydravions (Porco Rosso, French)
1989 The Age of the Flying Boat (Porco Rosso)
1989 Tree
1993 A Middle Aged Man Runs Towards the Wasteland
1994 Air Meal
1994 The Return of Hans
2006 A Trip to Tynemouth
Books
1983 Hayao Miyazaki Image Boards
1993 Animerica, Miyazaki and Crimson Pig (magazine)
2006 The Night of Tamayamagahara (art book)
2007 Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind: Watercolor Impressions
2008 Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea (japan press book)
2009 My Neighbors the Yamadas (comic, french)
2009 Hayao Miyazaki Starting Point 1979-1996
2009 The Art of Ponyo
2010 Studio Ghibli Book List 2010
2012 The Art of The Secret World of Arrietty
2014 Princess Mononoke: The First Story
2015 My Vecino Miyazaki
2015 Pippi Longstockings (That Never Saw the Light of Day)
2015 Ghibli Museum Sketching Set: Miyazaki Teaches You How To Paint
2016 Antes De Mi Vecino Miyazaki (Sample Photos)
2017 The Art of Castle in the Sky
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| ESSAYS ON STUDIO GHIBLI, ANIMATION AND THE MOVIES |
2006 A Primer on the Disney Deal, or Fat Chance
2006 Castle in the Sky: A Tale of Two DVD Covers
2006 Lupin, La Dolce Vita and the Title Sequence
2006 Opening Shots: Horus, Prince of the Sun
2006 Reconsidering The Cat Returns
2006 Thoughts on Hayao Miyazaki's Narrative Style
2006 Why Horus Matters
2007 Reiko Okuyama Has Passed Away
2007 Takahata Isao's Objective Style (Pt.I - VIII)
2007 The Heroine Image in Anime (by Minako Saitou)
2007 Totoro is Not the God of Death
2008 It's Not Prince Valiant, Ya Jerks
2008 Pixar, Wall-E and Rubber Soul
2008 Requiem and Gravitas in Castle in the Sky
2008 Seinfeld With Guns
2009 15 More Observations About Ponyo
2009 Everyone Has Their Reasons: Nausicaa's Title Sequence
2009 Gauche and the Galactic Railroad
2009 Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden
2009 Hot Chocolate With Honey
2009 Love and Theft and Goro-San
2009 Miyazaki and America: Separated by a Common Language
2009 Ponyo Floods the Pangea Room
2009 Ponyo "Tweaked" - Didn't That Movie Use to Have a War in It?
2010 A Look at Miyazaki's "Pig House" - The Nibariki Office
2010 Satoshi Kon Dead After Battle With Cancer
2011 Earthsea, Horus and Ghibli at the Crossroads
2011 Future Boy Conan - Blogathon
2011 "It Didn't Have Enough Toys"
2011 The History on Miyazaki's Mononoke Book
2011 What's the Deal With the Disney Princesses?
2012 Ghibli Blog Rankings - The 50 Greatest Movies
2012 Lupin III Series One - DVD Cover and Features
2013 Feeling Conflicted Over Poppy Hill
2014 Dead on Arrival - The End of Miyazaki in America?
2014 Disney's Frozen is a Lock for the Animated Feature Oscar
2015 Ghibli Blog Animation Poll: Master List
2015 Miyazaki Meets Kurosawa: The 1993 Broadcast (w/Transcripts)
2015 My Oscar Night Impressions
2015 What is Going to Happen to Pixar?
2016 50 Great Movies, 2016 Edition
2017 Totoro is Still Not the God of Death
2017 Warriors of the Wind: Tales From the Overlook Hotel
2017 Horus, Prince of the Sun Blu-Ray (Press Release)
2018 The Duality of Marco and Porco Rosso
2018 The Films of Isao Takahata, Part I
2018 The Continuing Adventures of Bungalow Bill
2019 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Complete Playlist
2020 Hayao Miyazaki: From Horus to Ghibli
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| BOOKS, COMICS AND MANGA |
1969 People of the Desert (Sabaku no Tami)
1969 Puss in Boots
1971 Animal Treasure Island
1980 Mononoke Hime
1983 Imouto He (For My Sister)
1983 The Journey of Shuna (Shuna no Tabi)
1989 L'Ère des hydravions (Porco Rosso, French)
1989 The Age of the Flying Boat (Porco Rosso)
1989 Tree
1993 A Middle Aged Man Runs Towards the Wasteland
1994 Air Meal
1994 The Return of Hans
2006 A Trip to Tynemouth
Books
1983 Hayao Miyazaki Image Boards
1993 Animerica, Miyazaki and Crimson Pig (magazine)
2006 The Night of Tamayamagahara (art book)
2007 Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind: Watercolor Impressions
2008 Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea (japan press book)
2009 My Neighbors the Yamadas (comic, french)
2009 Hayao Miyazaki Starting Point 1979-1996
2009 The Art of Ponyo
2010 Studio Ghibli Book List 2010
2012 The Art of The Secret World of Arrietty
2014 Princess Mononoke: The First Story
2015 My Vecino Miyazaki
2015 Pippi Longstockings (That Never Saw the Light of Day)
2015 Ghibli Museum Sketching Set: Miyazaki Teaches You How To Paint
2016 Antes De Mi Vecino Miyazaki (Sample Photos)
2017 The Art of Castle in the Sky
Ghibli Blog v3.0 Underway
As you can probably see, I'm now working on updating and redesigning the website. Things may look a little messy this weekend, as I work hard to make improvements. Currently, The Ghibli Blog looks a lot like a Japanese website site: very colorful, and very, very crowded. The information overload is a bit much on the eyes, and a lot of good content is passing by unnoticed as a result. This is something I'd like to fix.
Some notes on the project:
* I'm taking advantage of the top menu items for new categories. Videos will list the top video posts on the blog, particularly those Youtube videos that are still active. TV & Film will be the master list of reviews that's currently in the middle column of the main page. Downloads, as you already know, is the master list of fan-translated anime, available for download. I should also add a tutorial for new users. Contact is the same old Contact page. I may shuffle around or add another menu item. And finally, clicking Home lets E.T. fly home in a spaceship made entirely out of Atari cartridges.
* I'm adding some Youtube videos to the middle column, two, maybe three. For now, I'm using some Miles Davis "needledrops" that I recorded last month and uploaded to my Youtube account. This will change to something more Ghibli-related, like short films and trailers.
* I have been experimenting with new template designs, but, frankly, nothing is working out. A couple strong contenders have been tossed out this afternoon. I'm still holding out for the possibility of a new design, but for now this current layout is staying.
* A New Logo? Many of you have been asking for a proper logo to Ghibli Blog, instead of the text title. The only real challenge is space. There's little room on top. If I can insert a graphic that is also transparent (so the background is still visible), I'd like to do that. I'll take measurements, sketch out my ideas, then put it to you, the Ghibli Blog readers, to create.
As always, I'm open to your comments and suggestions. If you have any ideas for making Ghibli Blog the best best it can be, speak up. As always, domo arigatou gozaimasu.
Some notes on the project:
* I'm taking advantage of the top menu items for new categories. Videos will list the top video posts on the blog, particularly those Youtube videos that are still active. TV & Film will be the master list of reviews that's currently in the middle column of the main page. Downloads, as you already know, is the master list of fan-translated anime, available for download. I should also add a tutorial for new users. Contact is the same old Contact page. I may shuffle around or add another menu item. And finally, clicking Home lets E.T. fly home in a spaceship made entirely out of Atari cartridges.
* I'm adding some Youtube videos to the middle column, two, maybe three. For now, I'm using some Miles Davis "needledrops" that I recorded last month and uploaded to my Youtube account. This will change to something more Ghibli-related, like short films and trailers.
* I have been experimenting with new template designs, but, frankly, nothing is working out. A couple strong contenders have been tossed out this afternoon. I'm still holding out for the possibility of a new design, but for now this current layout is staying.
* A New Logo? Many of you have been asking for a proper logo to Ghibli Blog, instead of the text title. The only real challenge is space. There's little room on top. If I can insert a graphic that is also transparent (so the background is still visible), I'd like to do that. I'll take measurements, sketch out my ideas, then put it to you, the Ghibli Blog readers, to create.
As always, I'm open to your comments and suggestions. If you have any ideas for making Ghibli Blog the best best it can be, speak up. As always, domo arigatou gozaimasu.
2011-01-07
Blog Update - Taking Down the Christmas Tree Edition
As you can see by the previous post, I have now moved all the downloads into its own specific post, and created a direct link at the top of the page. Last night and today, I've been engaged on cleaning up the website, making it easier on the eyes and easier to navigate. I think this move will help somewhat.
For those new to The Ghibli Blog, the Downloads section is where I post (external) links to fan translations, or "fansubs" of anime and tv shows. This includes the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata dating back to the 1960s. These animations and comics are not available commercially in the West, and as such, they have yet to be discovered.
My goal when starting The Ghibli Blog was to build a comprehensive database of the Miyazaki-Takahata canon, as well as the works of their peers. After nearly five years, I think we have made remarkable progress.
I'll continue to tweak and improve the blog as best I can. As always, comments and advice are always welcome.
For those new to The Ghibli Blog, the Downloads section is where I post (external) links to fan translations, or "fansubs" of anime and tv shows. This includes the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata dating back to the 1960s. These animations and comics are not available commercially in the West, and as such, they have yet to be discovered.
My goal when starting The Ghibli Blog was to build a comprehensive database of the Miyazaki-Takahata canon, as well as the works of their peers. After nearly five years, I think we have made remarkable progress.
I'll continue to tweak and improve the blog as best I can. As always, comments and advice are always welcome.
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