Whisper of the Heart - DVD Versus Blu-Ray

I enjoy showing how the new Studio Ghibli Blu-Ray discs compare to their older DVD releases.  It's quite an eye-opener.  Mimi wo Sumaseba (Whisper of the Heart should be no different.

No doubt I've already made this point once or twice, but I'm struck by the luminescence and richness of the color on these Ghibli Blu-Rays.  The colors were somewhat washed-out on the older format, a necessary compromise to fit onto such a tiny space.  Now we can see something that is far close to its original vision.  I really love how vibrant these images appear.

I love the finer pencil lines to everything on the BD version.  The increased resolution, the cleaner color tones...heck, it's such a thrill to finally be rid of that "dusty," pixelated look.  The film grain effect is far more subtle and far better.  I think the picture is a little brighter, too.  Animation, as always, benefits tremendously from the Blu-Ray format.

Animation in the service of a coming-of-age story, a teen romance that finds magic in the everyday world instead of mere escapism - this is a revelation and a miracle.  We in the West should aspire to create animation like this.  We need more movies like Mimi.  It's honest, and for an art form defined by lies, that means something.

More DVD/Blu-Ray comparison shots below the fold:
 

Dracula Eats a Burger - Steak and Cheese

Dracula Eats a Burger - Half-Off

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the premier of my newest comic strip, Dracula Eats a Burger, inspired by Toei Animation's laughably bad 1980 made-for-TV movie, "Dracula: Sovereign of the Damned."  I hope you enjoy, there's plenty more to come!

Dracula Eats a Burger (From Dracula: Sovereign of the Damned)

Why?  Because he can, that's why.  That's why he's Dracula and you're not.

Studio Ghibli Feature Film Blu-Rays

As of January, 2012, these are Studio Ghibli's Blu-Ray releases in Japan.  We're currently at eight feature films - Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, Castle in the Sky, Mimi wo Sumaseba, My Neighbors the Yamadas, Howl's Moving Castle, Gedo Senki (Tales From Earthsea), Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea, and Arrietty.  The next round of BD releases have not yet been announced, but if tradition holds, then From Up on Poppy Hill should arrive in late summer.

It's fascinating to observe how closely Ghibli holds their strongest cards close to their chest.  Their biggest films - My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away - are probably coming sooner rather than later, as the studio is locked in production of Hayao Miyazaki's next feature film (by all accounts very long and complicated, and NOT a Porco Rosso sequel).  At least, that's my guess.  I'll bet money that one of these three films arrives on Blu-Ray in 2012.

Personally, I'm hoping that Ghibli continues its current pace of releasing four BD films per year (at Summer and Christmas), and maybe accelerated a little.  I know, I'm impatient and want all the Hannukah presents now now now.  But I also feel that Blu-Ray isn't going to have as long a lifespan as DVD or VHS.  As Terence McKenna would say, history repeats at faster and faster cycles.  Already we are seeing the emergence of the first televisions for 4K resolution (meaning, 4,000 vertical lines of resolution, compared to BD's 1,080 lines).  More importantly, online digital distribution is galloping ever forward and will begin to devour into the "physical media" market.  Studio Ghibli cannot casually assume another decade for the Blu-Ray, 1080p format.

Anyway, that's my theory at the moment.  Please don't consider it anything more than that.

Which brings us to Disney.  Look at those movies above.  Studio Ghibli has eight feature films on Blu-Ray in Japan.  How many are available in the United States?  Two - Nausicaa and Ponyo.  Presumably, Arrietty arrives on BD later this year, so that makes three.  By that time, Japan will have added Poppy Hill and be up to nine.

The UK, Europe and Australia all manage to release their Ghibli BD's only a few months after Japan.  What is the problem here, Disney?  Is it because you can't sell stuffed Totoros or dump No-Face into the Ice Capades or turn Nausicaa into one of your Stepford Wives Fairy Tale Princesses?  Is it because these Blu-Rays and DVDs don't sell enough?  Is you still mad about Mononoke?  I know, I know, the Weinsteins were only suggesting they be allowed to make a few cuts into the picture...and then Miyazaki dumps a samurai sword in your mailbox.  With an inscription that read, "No cuts."

I really don't get this.  Disney and Ghibli have had a successful working relationship since 1997.  The rest of the world is able to see these movies, so why not us?  What's the hold up?  What's the plan?

Photos: From Up on Poppy Hill

As thrilled I am to be able to see Arrietty on the big screen next month, I'm even more excited to see Goro Miyazaki's sophomore feature film, From Up on Poppy Hill.  My favorite Studio Ghibli movies are the naturalist ones, Omohide Poro Poro and Mimi wo Sumaseba.  Those are the classics that resonated with me above the others because I never before imagined that animation of this sort was even possible.  They opened my eyes to the truly limitless possibilities of the art form, and when I look to the West for comparable works, my heart aches.

Animation of this sort - everyday, true-to-life character dramas, sparkling with color and humor and wit - does not exist in the West.  France is the sole exception, with the films like The Illusionist Triplets of Bellville and Persepolis.  It's no coincidence that France is also a great champion of Isao Takahata and his masterful works.  I'm very interested in seeing if they embrace Goro Miyazaki as well.

These photos from Poppy Hill are wondrous.  Ghibli's artists are unique with their lush colors, their luminescence, their rich and warm tones.  It's a unique balance between Impressionism and Realism, with just a touch of caricature in the character designs.  It's funny how Ghibli is known in the West for the escapist fantasy adventures, when this is the real heart of the studio.  Desipite all the international acclaim and domestic success, they remain as they always were, a small studio that crafts romantic, nostalgia-fueled indie films.

This is what a Studio Ghibli movie looks like.  It's not trying to outdo Walt Disney, or George Lucas, or JRR Tolkein.  They follow their own unique path.  If Goro-san can successful continue this tradition, while finding his unique voice, this will be a very successful future, indeed.

New Additions to the Blog

So, whaddya think of the new logo?  Cool, huh?

I've managed to successful waste my entire weekend tinkering around with my blogs, shuffling things around, adding this, removing that.  I did experiment with some new template designs, with no success, so I'm continuing to stay with the current designs for Ghibli Blog and Vol 4.

The big addition, of course, is a proper Ghibli Blog logo.  My fairly limited Paint Shop Pro skills no doubt affected things, but I managed to teach myself how to create a transparent .gif, so that's good.  I always wanted to avoid the usual cliches, like Totoro or Catbus or Miyazaki on the logo.  It had to look stylish and cool, capture the style and content of the site, and fit the overall design.

I had added a new favicon to this site, and I used the same graphic for my Twitter page.  The blue Nausicaa graphic made a perfect icon for the logo.  Nausicaa also happens to be my favorite Miyazaki work (both the manga and film).  I sweated blood to create this and I'm quite proud.

In addition, I've also updated a lot of the links in the Downloads and Videos section.  Once again, a lot of YouTube videos have been taken down because media companies who own the copyrights, apparently, don't want you to learn about their movies.  They'd much rather let their DVDs collect dust in empty warehouses than actually, ya know, advertise them.  This fits in perfectly with the battle over SOPA/PIPA.  The movie industry has to understand a critical fact - In the Internet Age, exposure is the coin of the realm.  Closing down movie trailers on YouTube is absolutely suicidal.  Those who fail to adapt will go extinct.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the changes.  Thanks for your support and your endless contributions in making Ghibli Blog the absolute best it can be.

Today is SOPA Blackout Day!

As I'm sure you already know, today is the day for the mass online protest against the SOPA bill working its way through Congress.  This legislation, the creation of the MPAA, would give government and private industry the power to censor, block, or shut down any website suspected of "piracy" or "copyright infringement."  Since the internet is based on sharing and connectivity of media, this pretty much makes the World Wide Web itself a suspect.

This is a disastrous piece of legislation, propped up by dinosaur industries and the authoritarian-minded politicians in their pockets.  This is a profound threat to our liberties and our way of life.  It's very simple.  If SOPA passes, sites like The Ghibli Blog can be shut down.  Hell, Youtube, Facebook, Reddit and Twitter can be shut down.  SOPA could also be used as a tool of political suppression.  People who criticize the government, or the ruling political party, could be shut down. Websites that embarrass politicians could be shut down.  Do no doubt that these scenarios could happen.  Expect it.

Call your members of Congress and demand that they stop this reckless assault on our rights.  SOPA does nothing to stop online "piracy," and you know it.  It will only be used by the powerful to beat down their rivals and their critics.

Do you see that link at the top that says, "Downloads"?  There lies an atomic fuckton of copyrighted material.  Am I hosting any of it?  No, I'm only providing links to other sites.  But those links are sufficient to shut this website down.  Hell, every video, photograph and screenshot on this site falls under copyright.  If SOPA passes, The Ghibli Blog can be shut down.  Period.

Call the Congressional Switchboard now -- (202) 224-3121.  Then call again.  Keep the pressure up!

Goro Miyazaki Comic - "What is Layout?"

Goro Miyazaki illustrated this one-page comic as part of Studio Ghibli's Layout Exhibition in 2008.  Halycon Dreams, one of my favorite animation/film sites, shares this comic from the exhibit's program guide.

In 2008, of course, Goro-san was engaged Tales From Earthsea.  Should we be surprised that his avatar in this comic is...a faceless man?  Very much like his movie, this comic lacks personality; the artist is still very much a student, green behind the ears.  It will take time for the faceless artist to emerge as an individual with a unique voice.  Perhaps we are now beginning to see this with Poppy Hill.

Oh, and did you spot the cameos of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata at the very end?  For some reason, this reminds me of Ghibli's DVD documentary about the Ghibli Museum, which largely featured Takahata alongside Goro Miyazaki.  Interesting, isn't it, that Poppy Hill could just as easily be one of Paku-san's movies.

Ah, well, I'm just speculating out loud.  I'm putting way too much thought into what is a very nice comic by Goro Miyazaki.  But he's still very much an enigma to our eyes; we're still trying to figure this guy out.  Who is he?  Why is he here?  What does he have to say?  And would any of this matter if his father didn't own the store?  Goro himself is still in the process of solving these riddles.  That's part of the fun in watching him.

Thanks again to Halcyon Dreams for getting all these terrific Ghibli books.

Marcee's Engagement Ring

Last night, Marcee and I spent a terrific evening at a small French restaurant in Bogota.  And Marcee now has her engagement ring.  It's now official!  If the USCIS is cooperative, she'll be on a plane to the United States in May, 2012, with the wedding in June or July.

Just for the record, I was sweating bullets when I proposed.  Short of breath, arms shaking, the whole works.  Thank goodness for the steaks and wine.  It really was a terrific restaurant.

To celebrate our engagement, there's free pie for everyone!  Enjoy!*

*You actually have to score your own pie.

Update (12/14): Reader Phil White from Cambridge, UK, very kindly brightened up the first photo.  What a wonderful gesture!  We are both humbled and moved by everyone's kindness.  And, look!  We can actually see what the French restaurant looks like now!  This was a wonderful place, perfect atmosphere, and was discovered entirely by chance (my first choice for a restaurant had closed down).  Our entire relationship has been defined by such moments of improvisation.

Thanks again to everyone for your kind support.

Future Boy Conan - Blu-Ray Screenshots

Alright, let's take a look at how the new Future Boy Conan Blu-Ray Memorial Box compares to the standard DVD release.  The new high-definition transfer is taken from the original 35mm camera negative, and Bandai have spared no expense in restoring Conan to its original glory.  Hayao Miyazaki's 1978 masterpiece has never looked so good.

As always, colors are richer and more luminous in Blu-Ray.  Details are sharp and clear, and you can appreciate the artists' brushstrokes (now there's something I sorely miss in animation).  What's most striking is how much brighter everything now appears.  I hadn't realized how needlessly dark Conan appeared on DVD. I don't think most anime fans realize just how good these classic series truly look.  It's going to be a revelation for everyone, and if you're in charge of your local anime club, I highly recommending pooling your money together for the Conan set.

More screenshots will appear after the jump.  Update: All six photos are now available.  Connection speeds are a little better today, nice!  Enjoy the Conan shots!

Future Boy Conan Arrives on Blu-Ray

On November 25, Future Boy Conan made its long-awaited arrival on Blu-Ray in Japan.  The box set uses a high-definition transfer of the original 35mm camera negative, resulting in a picture quality that is stunning.  I daresay that Conan has never looked this good, even in its original 1978 TV run.

The box features embossed graphics and text, which looks wonderful.  Included are two discs, one for the series, and the second for extras.  A number of booklets are also included, which is very, very nice.  I'm not certain if storyboards are included, either in print or on the extras disc, but I'm sure one of us will eventually save up the money for this package and share all the secrets.

The Conan BD set includes the original 4:3 screen ratio, as well as a 16:9 widescreen mode that slightly crops the picture.  In my next post, I'll include some screenshots so that you can see for yourselves.

Sadly, it appears that no English subtitles are included.  That stinks.  In a perfect world, publishers in the West would pick up this BD box set.  Until then, we shall continue to download our fansub releases on the internet.  Hmm...do you think Hollywood has ever figure this one out?  We want access to the movies.  If they're not going to be available in our region, or not available in the current format (1080p, digital downloads), we'll just take 'em.  As always, the lesson is that we must support those publishers and distributors who support the scene.  Show the business suits that there is a demand for these series.  I'm more than willing to pay a premium price for this excellent BD box set.

Kudos to Bandai for their excellent release.  My hopes are now extremely high for the Heidi BD box set, which will be released just in time for Christmas.  It appears that Bandai holds the rights to the entire World Masterpiece Theater series - does this mean we will soon see 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother and Anne of Green Gables on Blu-Ray?  Onegai shimasu!  Gimme Gimmie!

P.S. Yes, I know that I totally have to get back to work and write the second half of the Future Boy Conan blogathon.  We are totally going to finish this thing, kids.

Discotek Acquires Panda Kopanda DVD in 2012

Hot on the heels of scoring the original 1971-72 Lupin III television series, indie publisher Discotek has scored the DVD rights to Panda Kopanda.  The disc will be released sometime in 2012.  I don't know what extras, if any, are planned for inclusion, but I'd be more than happy to help out on the project.

As always, I highly recommend anime scholar Ben Ettinger for a commentary track.  If anyone at Discotek manages to read this, feel free to contact me and we'll get to work.

Tales From Earthsea (Gedo Senki) - Blu-Ray Screenshots

The internet connection here at The Cranky Croc hostel in Bogota is on the slow side, but I'm still determined to upload and share all the important news and photos from the newest Blu-Ray releases.  Yesterday, we had a look at Howl's Moving Castle, and today we have Tales From Earthsea (Gedo Senki), which was also released in Japan last month.

This movie has many spectacular landscape artwork, and fans are sure to be amazed with this BD release.  There's a vitality to the color that's striking, and it's a clear improvement over the standard DVD.  I've found that animated movies in general appear a little washed-out in 480 resolution, and improve dramatically in 1080p.  If you want some movies to really show off your home theater system, these movies are a must.

The rest of the screenshots appear after the jump.  Update: All eight screenshots are now available.  Thanks again to Asian Blu-Ray for snapping the photos.  Enjoy!

Howl's Moving Castle - Blu-Ray Screenshots

Studio Ghibli's newest Blu-Ray releases are available now in Japan, for the slightly horrifying price of $80USD.  Fortunately, most of you will be able to buy these discs when they're released in your country sometime next year.  We Americans, however, will remain at the mercy of Disney's whims.  In any event, region-free discs and online merchants make it easier than ever to build up your Ghibli movie collection, even without paying the $80 ransom the Japanese are subjected to.

Let's take a look at these wonderful screenshots from the Howl's Blu-Ray.  It looks terrific, as you would expect.  I've noticed that a lot of Ghibli movies struggled on the standard DVD format; Howl's Moving Castle was a marvel to see on a big screen, projected on 35mm film.  480p resolution just doesn't come close.  1080p is a very welcome improvement, indeed.  And, no doubt, we'll be saying the same thing once these movies start arriving on the next media format, 4K resolution.  For now, we'll be more than happy.

The rest of the screenshots lie after the jump.  My thanks, as always, to Asian Blu-Ray Guide for providing these photos.  I'm eternally grateful for all their hard work.