#the dragon transformation scene but ghibli

[cynderrfall]

Find me in the future!!

[redinbluee]

csm chapter 127 (spoilers maybe)

OKAY QUICK THOUGHTS FROM THIS GUESS WHAT IM THINKING RN. I LOVE THIS WHOLE THING OF PEOPLE FALLING DOWN THE SKY TOGETHER IT REMINDS ME OF THE SCENE IN SPIRITED AWAY WHERE CHIHIRO FALLS DOWN THE SKY WITH HAKU.

THE POINT IS I THINK I KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN

SO YOU KNOW HOW HAKU TAKES CHIHIRO BACK TO THE BATHHOUSE IN HIS DRAGON FORM, AND THEN CHIHIRO REMEMBERS HAKUS NAME OR WHATEVER AND THEN HE TURNS HUMAN

FUJIMOTOR IS A GHIBLI FAN AND THAT IS A FACT

WHAT IF ASA CONTINUES FALLING WITH DENJI, AND AT SOME POINT- SOMETHING HAPPENS AND CSM TRANSFORMS BACK INTO DENJI MID AIR

SO THAT WILL BE THE REVEAL?! (okay i sound so stupid rn)

lmao i love this whole thing of people falling together didnt this happen in weathering with you and castle in the sky too isw theres more

[zazter-den]

Top 5 anime not including BNHA. And if 5 is too little, then top 10 lol

Thanks for the ask Neon! Bending the rules and going with my top 6!

❖ Demon Slayer, is my number 1 anime for the animation and music. The way the techniques are animated leaves me on the edge of my seat every time even if I have to wear blackout shades for flashing scenes. But the music OMFG. There is only one person I truly Simp for, and that is soundtrack composer Yuki Kajiura. She is my Hans Zimmer, and has had my soul since .Hack//Sign OST, she's also done Mai-Hime and Madoka Magica. When I heard the Akaza theme I flipped my shit because I instantly recognized her work, and I can't wait to hear what she does with the rest of the series. If you haven't watched yet Do It- the art will surprise you. Not even gonna get into my thirst for Tengen and Rengoku.

❖ Blue Exorcist. Such a great show over all! Shiemi was so important to me growing up as chubby traditional girl. Seeing her and Rin overcome their challenges, really pushed me to be more myself.

❖ The Cat Returns Movie. I was weak for Cary Elwes' Westley in Princess Bride, and I love his dapper cat character in this. Kiki's Delivery Service is a close second- but this is my favorite Ghibli movie. ❖ Apothecary Diaries. Newly added to the list! Wasn't what I expected but I love this little cat-coded detective with a love for poison. Much more adult than I thought but if you're ok with darker content elements, you should give it a try! Also Jinshi's english voice actor is also Gojo. ❖ Kaleido Star. This was my absolute favorite anime as a kid. When I was young, I thought my flexibility was a great thing and was convinced I was going to join Cirque du Soleil when I got older (spoiler alert, it was Ehlers-Danlos). It hasn't stood up to the test of time as well as other anime. But I believe that with updated animation- this would do amazing as a reboot in the Sports Anime category. There's this one scene where the main character's lit by the rising sun as her costume transforms and it still takes my breath away. (AMV that has the best quality shot of the scene at 2:34) ❖ A Vision of Escaflowne. One of my favorites, I'm sure I have nostalgia goggles on (the actual series, not the Fox Kids slice n dice), but I feel this one would do *So Well* as a reboot with updated animation and va. An Isekai with everything: ancient tech robots, secret royalty, hybrids, dragons, alternate worlds, steampunk. I would be lying if my fantasy/barbarian Bakugo were not heavily influenced by Van's opening fight scene in the movie. This AMV does a pretty good job of summarizing the series! CW: Flashing Lights, Blood

[llycaons]

I've been revisiting youtubers recently. some I like under the cut

Folding Ideas: a marvelously well-spoken social and media critic, with commentary on symbolism in film. his breakdowns of the editing failures of films such as Suicide Squad and The Snowman are entertaining and informative, and he has mini-episodes on narrative concepts like Thermian arguments (the Watsonian of Watsonian vs. Doylist explanations) and ludonarrative dissonance. politically on top of it (mostly), extremely astute, and a pleasure to listen to. See Earthsea and Adaptation Sickness, End of Evangelion and the Audience Author Membrane, The Thermian Argument, The Art of Editing and Suicide Squad, Cinematic Trainwreck – The Snowman: A Vlog, Cooking Food On The Internet For Fun And Profit, Annihilation and Decoding Metaphor

Ariel Bissett: a delightful young Canadian book reviewer takes us on her journey of renovating her old house. mostly cosmetic changes rather than structural as she's essentially self-taught, but she's a charismatic and charming host with a unique eye for style and color. her design sense matches closely with my own (we're both Monet fans), so I find her videos very soothing and satisfying to watch. I haven't seen any of her book reviews, but she seems thoughtful and passionate. I like all her house videos, but particularly the three yearly house tours so far (intro video, one year in, two years in,), Building The Perfect Guest Room, Complete Office Renovation!, Living Room Renovation To Look Like Emma's House!, Building The Perfect Reading Nook, Transforming the Smallest Room In My House With Wallpaper, and honestly all the others. it's a real pleasure to see the changes she makes over the months. I can't wait for the kitchen redo!

Accented Cinema: probably my favorite youtuber right now. he's a Chinese Canadian filmmaker with a focus on films and film-making processes, both his own and those from China (most often) and other non-American countries (occasionally). his videos have brought me to tears more than once. honestly I love too many to list all of them so I'll just list my top favorites but I highly recommend this channel. I loved Why China Cared About Kung Fu Panda, Shadow: Adapting Chinese Art, Who Killed Captain Alex: What Makes a Movie Good?, Chinese Animation: In Search of a Style (brief shot of mdzs donghua at the very end), Why Ghibli's First 3D Looks Soulless, East vs. West: Differences in Story Philosophy, Mahjong & Crazy Rich Asians, Why Are Kung Fu Movies So Patriotic, How I Made a Fake Video Essay

Local Script Man: a professional screenwriter whose advice and commentary on creating stories is really interesting and different than what you tend to see on tumblr. he tends to be kind of harsh but not in mean-spirited way, just in a way that makes it obvious that he knows what he's talking about. I like Oops No Plot, The Key to Writing Freakishly Good Dialogue, and both parts of 5 Essential Storytelling Rules I Just Made Up (part 1, part 2)

Schaffrillas Productions: a guy breaks down and ranks various animated films, often by studio. these videos are just a lot of fun. I liked his videos on the Shrek franchise (one, two, three, four, and the musical), and Raya vs. Encanto - How One Message Failed and Another Succeeded

Super Eyepatch Wolf: this man is, as we speak, convincing me to read Berserk. he has a slow, dramatic presentation of his arguments that draw you in and a great sense of humor. All of his "Why You Should Watch" videos are interesting even if you don't have any plans to watch the show he's describing, because they give an overview of the themes and strengths without spoiling it. he also presents a wealth of information on manga/anime history, and miscellaneous commentary on other media. I liked in particular The Fall of The Simpsons: How it Happened, "Non Battle" Battle Anime, What Makes A Fight Scene Interesting?, The Impact of Dragon Ball Z: The Series that Changed Everything, Why You Should Watch Yu Yu Hakusho, What Makes A Good Character Design?,

Cinema Therapy: these two guys are charming and sometimes funny. they can get annoying and their analyses tend to be very superficial, but I really like their videos tearing into bad romantic cliches. I like 10 TROPES We Hate About Rom Coms, 7 Tips from THE ADDAMS FAMILY to Keep Your Marriage Alive, TITANIC: Love Triangles and Compatibility, Therapist Reacts to THE KISSING BOOTH (Part 1, Part 2), Relationship Therapist Ranks Christmas Romances with guest Shona Kay

Sideways: a channel about music! knowing nothing about music at all, I find these videos really interesting and accessible. see Why the Music in Cats (2019) is Worse than you Thought, Why Pipe Organs Sound Scary, Decoding the Music of The Matrix, Why Avatar has the Most Ironic Soundtrack of All Time, Why the Soundtrack to Shrek is Actually Genius, Ear Training and Sight Singing: The Superpower you get from Music School, Why "Spoken Word" Makes me Nervous

Pop Culture Detective: I like this channel for the analyses of troubling tropes in media, especially the ones on misogyny. See Marvel Defenders of The Status Quo, The Ethics of Looking And The “Harmless” Peeping Tom, Born Sexy Yesterday, The Complicity of Geek Masculinity on the Big Bang Theory, Sexual Assault of Men Played for Laughs (Part one, Part two), Stranger Things, Belligerent Romance, and the Danger of Nostalgia

favorite misc videos here

[paintbynumberscustom]

Unlock Your Inner Artist: Exploring the World of Themed Paint by Numbers

For years, Paint by Numbers has captured the attention of artists and art lovers, offering a distinct and inclusive avenue to craft breathtaking masterpieces. Through its pre-drawn outlines and segmented numbering system, this art form welcomes individuals of all skill levels to immerse themselves in the joy of painting and witness stunning compositions materialize before their eyes.

Star Wars Paint by Number: May the Colors Be with You The force is strong with this paint by number collection. Picture yourself reimagining the iconic characters and scenes from the Star Wars universe, from Luke Skywalker's heroic journey to Darth Vader's imposing presence. Unleash your creativity and bring these legendary figures to life, one numbered section at a time. Whether you're a Jedi Knight or a Sith Lord at heart, Star Wars paint by numbers provides a thrilling and immersive artistic experience.

Butterfly Paint by Number: Unleash the Colors of Nature Butterflies, with their delicate wings and vibrant colors, have always captivated our imagination. Now, you can create your own kaleidoscope of fluttering beauties through butterfly paint by numbers. Whether you prefer realistic depictions or dreamy interpretations, this art form allows you to celebrate the elegance and enchantment of nature. Immerse yourself in a world of blooming flowers, lush landscapes, and intricately patterned wings as you create stunning butterfly-themed masterpieces.

Embark on a mythical journey with Dragon Paint by Number, where fantasy comes alive on the canvas. Dive into the world of majestic dragons, fierce creatures that have captivated our imaginations for centuries. With each numbered section, you can breathe life into these legendary beasts, showcasing their scales, fiery breath, and awe-inspiring presence. Whether you envision a fearsome dragon guarding a treasure or a graceful creature soaring through the skies, Dragon Paint by Number allows you to unleash your creativity and create a masterpiece that celebrates the allure and mystique of these captivating creatures. Let your artistic prowess take flight as you bring these mythical beings to life stroke by stroke, creating a visual tale of wonder and enchantment.

Paint by Numbers Anime: An Artistic Homage to Japanese Animation Anime has captured the hearts of millions around the world with its unique art style and captivating storytelling. Now, you can dive into the world of anime through paint by numbers. From the iconic characters of Studio Ghibli to the beloved heroes and heroines of popular series, this art form allows you to pay homage to your favorite anime creations. Express your love for this vibrant and imaginative genre as you carefully fill in each numbered section, bringing your favorite characters to life.

Paint by Numbers Harry Potter: Enchanting the Canvas Enter the enchanting world of Harry Potter through the medium of paint by numbers. Relive the magic of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as you recreate scenes from J.K. Rowling's beloved series. From the golden trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the whimsical creatures and spellbinding landscapes, paint by numbers Harry Potter offers a chance to immerse yourself in the wizarding world and let your creativity flourish.

Paint by numbers has transformed the art world, making it accessible to everyone regardless of their skill level. These themed collections not only provide an opportunity to create beautiful artworks but also allow you to connect with your passions on a deeper level. Whether you're a Star Wars fan, a lover of butterflies, an admirer of Picasso, an anime enthusiast, or a devoted follower of Harry Potter, there's a paint by numbers set that can transport you to your favorite worlds.

So, grab your paint brushes, choose your palette, and let your imagination run wild. Unlock your inner artist and embark on an exciting journey where fandom and creativity merge into a unique and personal masterpiece. Paint by numbers invites you to bring color, life, and joy to your canvas, one numbered section at a time. May your artistic adventure be filled with wonder, inspiration, and the satisfaction of seeing your favorite characters and scenes come alive in vibrant hues.

[paint-by-numbers-kits]

Vibrant Adventures: Anime-Inspired Paint by Numbers for Naruto, Studio Ghibli, and Manga Fans

The anime fans are so glad! Get ready to join an artistic journey like no other with paint by numbers kits featuring your favorite anime series. So, whenever you are a die-hard Naruto fan, a lover of Studio Ghibli’s magical creations, a Manga enthusiast, or a follower of the Demon Slayer saga, these paint-by-numbers kits will bring your favorite characters and scenes to life on canvas.

Naruto paint by numbers kits let you get into the world of ninjas and react to the footsteps of Naruto Uzumaki. Capture the spirit of adventure, friendship, and determination as you paint iconic characters and epic battles, from Naruto himself to Sakura, and the formidable Akatsuki.

Another animation kit is Studio Ghibli paint by numbers kits that transport you to a fascinating world crafted by the genius of Hayao Miyazaki. Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of My Neighbor Totoro, the ethereal beauty of Spirited Away, or the captivating tale of Princess Mononoke. With these kits, you can recreate the magical charm and vibrant landscapes of Studio Ghibli’s beloved films.

Manga paint by numbers kits let you channel your inner artist and capture the essence of Japanese comic art. From Dragon Ball Z’s thrilling fights to Sailor Moon’s iconic transformations, you can paint your favorite characters in all their dynamic glory. Unleash your creativity and celebrate the captivating storytelling of Manga through vivid colors and intricate details.

To conclude, paint by numbers kits provide a fun and engaging activity, but they also offer therapeutic benefits. It can help relax the mind, reduce stress, and enhance focus and concentration. It’s a perfect way to express your love for Naruto, Studio Ghibli, and Manga through vibrant colors and brushstrokes, immersing yourself in the world of anime while unleashing your artistic talents.

[secret-treasury]

The Marauders favorite series/film genre

Disclaimer: This is a personal opinion.

Warnings: might be a controversal but not really. can anyone tell i’m a film/writing major?  

Also, Credit to @heloisedaphnebrightmore for helping out with Remus and Jame’s headcannons <3 

Remus Lupin

Remus being the nerdTM is into some weird shit that borders into theory territory but keeps in factual. Documentaries about wars, plane hijackings and/or disappearances, crazy heists and unbelievable survivor stories, anything really. He literally goes down the rabbit hole.    

However what really gets him going is the fantasy genre that includes; The Hobbit, Lord of The Rings, The Witcher, Game of Thrones, The chronicles of Narnia. He not only watches the shows and films but he collects and reads the books. That was the gateway that led him into Dungeons & Dragons which he loves. 

Remus also finds some kind of comfort in Studio Ghibli films.  

Sirius Black

Sirius' personal favorite genre is space westerns or sci-fi westerns like cowboy bebop, Firefly, Cowboys and Aliens, Westworld and The Mandalorian. It's kind of a niche genre but he finds it kind of comforting and it reflects his home life and relation to his family. He sees himself in the lone hero character and his family as the authoritarian governments that try to rule with an iron fist but can’t quite get a grip of the galaxy's edges. In a similar vein he also enjoys space opera or science fiction in general, such as Star wars, Stargate, Star Trek and The Fifth Element. Cyberpunk also caught Sirius's attention as it has similar themes as space western. When he saw Bladerunner for the first time his mind was blown!

On a broader scale he also enjoys action and science fiction and watching marvel films and star wars films with James. He unfortunately isn’t really into the fantasy genre because he’s a wizard and what he looks for in entertainment is escapism at some level as well as stories to help him cope. Fantasy set in any time period that isn’t current, he doesn’t really mind watching but he doesn’t find it interesting either.

Side note: it’s funny because Ben Barnes, popularly being fancasted as Sirius Black, is in Westworld and I didn't even connect that at first. Anyway when Sirius ses Logan Delos in the show his reaction is:

Insert leonardo D pointing

“That looks EXACTLY like me!”

James Potter

James loves Action films of almost any kind, except probably horror. He doesn’t care if franchises such as Jurassic Park, Transformers and The Fast and The Furious get more and more unhinged. To be honest when he heard the rumor of a possible crossover between jurassic park and Fast and the furious he cried tears of joy. He thinks that the crazier they get the more fun and he doesn't take them too seriously. He also likes  Sharknado because he’s a weirdo and it makes him laugh.

Speaking of laughing, comedy action such as Bad Boys and Jackie Chan films crack him up! James just enjoys comedy in general because he is a happy guy who wants to have a fun time and laugh a lot.

He has of course seen all the Marvel cinematic universe films several times. Once he attempted to watch all the films in chronological order BY SCENE but he gave up after a while. He watches the DC films too but isn’t as invested.

Side note again; why is the best fancast in the movies i think they would like? Wtf? Anyway when James sees quicksilver in Age of Ultron he is straight up like “holy sh*t is that me? But older? No way!” and then sends a text in the marauders group chat with a photo and is just like “look you guys! it's me!”. Remus responds with a “nah, maybe kind of if you squint...” and Sirius just says “Quicksilver is hotter tbh”.  

James also appreciates the more “sophisticated” action films like Mad Max: Fury Road, The Matrix, John Wick, Terminator and Robocop.

Secretly he really really enjoys romantic comedy because this boy has a soft side and is a HOPELESS romantic. It’s his guilty pleasure that he doesn’t tell anyone, not even his friends because he doesn’t want to be teased about it. One of his favorite romantic comedies is The Holiday. He gets all giggly when he watches it and it's CUTE.

Bonus: Severus Snape

He is into anime big time! Though he doesn’t really talk or tell anyone about it. When he was younger and angsty, he was especially into anime featuring a male main character with a god or superiority complex, example; Sword art online.

But as he matures he kind of just likes anime in general and gets into the cult classics a bit more.

He also probably watches OLD classic films like Metropolis, The bike thief and Citizen Kane.

[ghibli-collector]

Spirited Away: 10 Most Beautiful Moments of Animation

Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away is a marvel of animation, a true masterpiece of the genre. Every beautiful scene, drawn by Hayao Miyazaki, is a work of art. The film, which centers on Chihiro, a little girl who gets inadvertently trapped in the Spirit World and must fight to save her parents, features many exquisite backdrops. As the Spirit World unfolds before Chihiro there is more and more beauty to uncover.

Here the film's best, most beautiful, moments of animation, from meeting the dancing soot spirits to riding on the lovely Spirit World train.

10. The Abandoned Theme Park

When Chihiro and her family first stumble upon the bridge to the Spirit World and the bathhouse, it takes on the appearance of an abandoned theme park. The beautiful sprawling green plains, and the perfectly deserted seeming temple, with its slight sense of foreboding and decay, begin the movie right with their beauty.

As the wind flows through the grasses, the audience knows they are watching a beautiful movie.

9. The Spirits Come To Life

As the sun sets the Spirit World dances to life in front of Chihiro, with ghostly specters appearing from nowhere, lights turning on, signs appearing, colors blooming into existence, and life flowing from every corner. The climax of the scene occurs as Chihiro takes off running and splashes right into the water.

This complex symphony of illustration makes the scene one of the loveliest moments in the movie.

8. The Soot Spirits Dance

The soot spirits, who love their sprinkles, offer a contrasting, but no less marvelous, style than the rest of the film, which is done up in elegant lines.

They are more cute than stunning, but they are adorable. Perfectly animated to win the hearts of any viewer, especially when they coo happily for their sprinkles or act up to try to get Chihiro to do their work for them.

7. The River Spirit Bath

The River Spirit's bath begins as one of the grimiest and most disgusting scenes in the movie, as the polluted river pulls mud and trash with him everywhere he goes. But, thanks to Chihiro, he is able to be free of all that has been poured inside of him.

In a flash, the scene changes from mud and slime to stark white and gold, cleanliness of the highest degree. A true act of animation genius.

6. Crying In The Garden

In an emotional turning point, Chihiro hits her breaking point and goes to the garden to cry. Haku finds her and sits with her, offering her a special food which soothes her. As she eats, her tears billow into huge bubbles and slide down her face, as the garden stretches behind her, lovely and soothing.

This scene conveys gentleness in its every brush stroke.

5. After The Storm

After a storm passes, the Spirit World and the Bathhouse are overrun with water which laps gently and endlessly out to nowhere.

The water is so incredibly animated and the scene holds an incredible serenity to it, as Chihiro watches the waves and the brightness of a new day.

4. Tea With Zeniba

Chihiro leaves the bathhouse to go and visit Zeniba in a bid to save Haku's life. While she's not sure what to expect, it turns out the witch lives in a cozy cottage in the middle of nowhere.

As Chihiro explains the situation, she and her friends have tea with Zeniba in what is one of the coziest feeling scenes ever. There is a true sense of safety that comes with the hustle and bustle of Zeniba's small house, as she pours tea, offers cakes, and takes out her knitting. It's a scene that encapsulates the true essence of comfort in its beautiful lines.

3. Memories Of The River

Periodically, Chihiro has memories of falling into a river, which turns out to be her link to the mysterious Haku. The memories are painted in sepia tone and carry with them the quality of a dream.

The animation of the flashbacks is watery and fluidly imprecise, the way a half-remembered dream would look if drawn on the page.

2. Falling With Haku

As Chihiro finally remembers who Haku is and gives him back his name, Haku loses his dragon form and the two of them fall together through the clouds. The sequence goes from the sudden intensity of transformation to a beautiful, gentle drift as Haku and Chihiro really find one another for the first time.

Chihiro and Haku's eyes glow as they clasp hands, both at peace at last.

1. The Train Scene

Of all the scenes in the movie, the scene on the Spirit Train is by far one of the most beautiful. The sequence carries with it the feeling of golden late afternoon and the actual essence of being gently lulled by travel.

As light passes through the windows and nameless, faceless spirits board and leave the train, the viewers are transported into a world other than their own, one of pure beauty and serenity. The beautifully animated water also makes a reappearance combining with the sun drift and the elegant music of the sequence to create something truly stunning.

By Rotem Rusak of Screenrant

[ganymedesclock]

While we're near the subject, do you have a favorite trope or story beat? Myself, I'm a sucker for "flawed characters trying desperately to live up to and carry on the legacy of fallen heroes" That kinda stuff always gets my goat, and can very easily make me cry.

an incomplete list of tropes that make me lose it in a good way. readmored because I had too much fun.

what if neither light nor darkness exist on a binary of Good and Bad but all things can be destructive and a balanced individual / society / planet needs elements

stereotypically villainous tropes attached to heroic characters

silent protagonist / blank slate protagonist actually has an identity and feelings

when the last person you expect to be a mother hen is

characters that feel like they’d do a disney villain number. can be any morality.

obvious clown betrays emotional sincerity and depth

obvious clown is actually extremely dangerous and you shouldn’t have ignored them oh god they’re in the vents

superpowers causing life problems or existing in a neutral context outside of their ‘conventional or expected’ use

voluntary shapeshifting, especially if a character’s favored forms have a certain amount of bleedover.

involuntary shapeshifting, especially long-term or ongoing or maturing into voluntary. think fairytale, ‘got cursed to have a donkey head. I’m coping.’

Any form of shapeshifting being accompanied by unsettling snicketycrackle noises. are those bones? find out :)

characters have associated motifs or archetypes that imply their presence, feelings, relationship with others etc. quietly

Familiar and reliable video game mechanic / the narrator / the save points suddenly have horrifying significance.

basically any time a reflection or a shadow does something weird

monsters but they’re just chilling

weird animals

weird animals that are people without being human-shaped

artificial entities examining personhood and autonomy it can be the most boilerplate garbage and I don’t care.

d r a g o n s

dragon riders

sparkly magic. if at any time for any reason things resemble a magical girl anime, transformation sequences, spells, whatever? it’s valid.

lawful good characters facing ideological conflicts and reforging what they stand for and coming back stronger

stoic characters with the world on their shoulders cracking from the pressure and being met with kindness

a character goes ape shitt and smashes their way through overwhelming opposition

big tree

floating islands

weird moons

weird blood

blood magic

“QUICK, ACT NATURAL.”

ordinarily charismatic person turns out to be unable to act to save their life

cool characters being absolute dorks

Imperious intellectual faces increasingly undignified crap

“Notice me senpai” but exclusively in the manner of a belligerent shonen anime rival (specifically comedic)

quippy rogue a la spiderman

entire setting full of quippy rogues a la princess bride

“do I weigh anything to you?” “no it’s like holding a bunch of grapes”

Ghibli-esque lavishly detailed food scenes

characters making food for each other as an expression of love/reassurance/comfort

Intimacy, platonic or romantic. I get mad at stories if characters don’t hug enough. dramatic romantic kisses, take it or leave it, but will you hug ur bro after they’ve had a really hard day

plague doctors

respecting healing as a badass and noble thing

[recentanimenews]

VIZ Announces Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai Manga and More

VIZ Media hopped on Twitter for one of its semi-regular license reveals, announcing everything from an Uzumaki Coloring Book to more horror delights from Kazuo Umezz, the Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai manga, and much more. Read on for a roundup of everything that's on the way this time. 

  Unless otherwise noted, everything below is due out in spring 2022. 

    Uzumaki Coloring Book 

  Announcement: For those drawn-in by the hypnotic spirals of Uzumaki, this is your moment! The bizarre masterpiece of horror manga from Junji Ito, has been transformed into the Uzumaki Coloring Book. Hurrah! Releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/xSxQ8Tc3Gp

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Kazuo Umezz's Orochi: The Perfect Edition

  Announcement: The classic manga from horror master Kazuo Umezz gets a whole new format! The deluxe hardcover series Orochi: The Perfect Edition, featuring nine of his classic interconnected short stories, is out Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/dV080XMe4R

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Pokémon Adventures: X•Y 

  Announcement: Awesome Pokémon adventures inspired by the best-selling Pokémon X and Y video games! The reclusive child prodigy Pokémon Trainer, X, is stirred out of hiding after a surprise attack! Pokémon Adventures: X•Y drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/Y18gWG78Qm

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Deadpool: Samurai

  Announcement: Deadpool moves to Tokyo and encounters just about every kind of shonen trope you can think of! Chaos and humor collide in Deadpool: Samurai, out Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/jnLF6nkCf6

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Star Wars: Tribute to Star Wars

Featuring Akira Himekawa, Taiyo Matsumoto, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and more

  Announcement: Explore the galaxy through the beautiful artwork of 45 outstanding Japanese manga artists and illustrators, including Akira Himekawa, Taiyo Matsumoto, and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. Star Wars: Tribute to Star Wars drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/wyFCZ6IZSb

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Onigiri (Cookbook)

  Announcement: Japanese rice balls are about to get really fun! A variety of recipes for these convenient little snacks, curated by popular Parisian onigiri restaurant Gili-Gili, are packed into this cookbook! Onigiri drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/UvLTsPjEAQ

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Ima Koi: Now I'm in Love

  Announcement: After years of missing out on love and dating for fear of rejection, Satomi decisively blurts out her feelings, but now the hard part comes: dating! This refreshing take on shojo, Ima Koi: Now I’m In Love drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/FMBMEPGcUY

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Rumiko Takahashi's Came the Mirror & Other Tales

  Announcement: Rumiko Takahashi, beloved creator of Inuyasha, Ranma 1/2, and Urusei Yatsura, is back with an eclectic collection of short stories--Came the Mirror & Other Tales! Plus, a rare, autobiographical tale about the mangaka’s lifelong love for manga! Releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/gBNK4Xlk1Q

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai

  Announcement: With the help of his friends, Dai will set out on a grand adventure to become the hero he was meant to be in the first arc of the legendary adventure series set in the world of Dragon Quest. Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai is coming to bookshelves Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/Dt5PyrzNpS

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Demon Slayer: The Official Coloring Book

  Announcement: Now THIS is a coloring book! Add color to over seventy illustrations featuring your favorite characters from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, with art by manga artist Koyoharu Gotouge! Demon Slayer: The Official Coloring Book drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/Ljf4Dmh2l7

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Picture Book

  Announcement: Based on the masterpiece film from Studio Ghibli cofounder Isao Takahata, this is the untold story of Princess Kaguya. Includes scene-by-scene illustrations and character dialogue from the film. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Picture Book releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/7aBcnSZH9n

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  The Art of the Tale of the Princess Kaguya 

  Announcement: The art and words of Isao Takahata’s gorgeous adaptation of the classic tale come to life! This book captures the breathtaking art of the Studio Ghibli film from conception to production. The Art of the Tale of the Princess Kaguya releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/aXkiXZzJZZ

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  JoJo 6251: The World of Hirohiko Araki

  Announcement: The electrifying world of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is unveiled in this print-bound art compendium that’s a must for any fan of Araki-Sensei! JoJo 6251: The World of Hirohiko Araki releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/Q4OhMHAgvY

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Alice in Borderland

  Announcement: The manga source material for the hit @netflix series, Alice in Borderland, comes to bookshelves Spring 2022! Ryohei’s sick of the world, but his new world has a sick joke in store for him: it’s a game, and the only way to survive is to play. pic.twitter.com/kGBmuCJssb

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Sakamoto Days

  Announcement: Things are about to get super INconvenient for convenience store owner Taro Sakamoto when his past as a legendary assassin catches up to him! Sakamoto Days drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/cXGVGrlehe

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba—Stories of Water and Flame

  Announcement: The Flame Hashira and the Water Hashira star in two back-to-back tales set in the world of Demon Slayer! Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba--Stories of Water and Flame releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/9edRJuxSmd

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Digital Exclusives

Fall 2021

  Bone Collection

  Announcement: A VIZ digital exclusive! Grow a backbone and tap into your inner exorcist powers with both volumes of Bone Collection! Releasing Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/Og1W2WIQc8

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Me & Roboco

  Announcement: A VIZ digital exclusive! In a world where most families own a cute maid robot, average elementary kid Bondo hopes for one of his own. But the wacky robot who shows up is anything but average! Me & Roboco releases Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/Y1fcC86xbr

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Hard-Boiled Cop and Dolphin

  Announcement: A VIZ digital exclusive! Ryuhei Tamura brings you the fishiest cop manga to ever hit Shonen Jump! A missing cult, a mysterious little girl, and his new partner--a dolphin! Hard-Boiled Cop and Dolphin releases Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/iqYupLP9pe

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Mitama Security: Spirit Busters

  Announcement: A VIZ Digital Exclusive! Rena's haunted by spirits, but when a strange guy comes to bust them, he may be more of a hindrance than a help! All 5 volumes of Mitama Security: Spirit Busters are releasing in Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/VtkCmsu51A

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Magu-chan: God of Destruction

  Announcement: A VIZ digital exclusive! The reign of Mag, the God of Destruction, ends and he washes up on shore in a cute new form. Magu-chan: God of Destruction drops Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/XRpk7BBoed

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

    -------

Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.

  By: Joseph Luster

[bentwood-chairs]

Things to do in Sydney this long weekend

The much-awaited long weekend is here, Sydneysiders. You've got a whole other day tacked on to the end of your week for more eating, drinking and debauchery – how will you spend it? Sydney's theatre scene has well and truly come alive again, the Archibald is showing at the AGNSW, and we've given you a how-to guide on cheap hacks for fancy places.

Itchy feet? Head out on your next road trip, or explore of these incredible national parks right near home. When you're all tired out and ready for a drink, pick a spot from this list of our favourite bars  with elegant bentwood chairs and settle in for a nightcap.

PS Make sure to stick to appropriate hygiene and physical distancing measures when you go out, as laid out by the WHO and the Australian Department of Health.

1. Celebrate in style at Sydney's annual Oyster Festival Things to do Food and drink The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room, The Rocks Until Oct 31 2020

It's the eigth year of the Morrison Oyster Festival and Sydney still can't seem to get enough of those tasty little bivalves. During the month of October, the inner-city restaurant and bar will boast oysters from 50 regions around Australia. Oyster Hour is back with $1.50 oysters from 6-7pm daily, and the weekend holds two-hour sessions of unlimited sparkling wine to accompany a dozen freshly shucked sea babies for $55 per person.

2. Check out the Archibald Prize finalists for 2020 Art Galleries Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Until Jan 10 2021

The finalists for this year have been announced, giving a glimpse into a colourful cross-section of contemporary Australian culture. Yoshio Honjo has depicted celebrity chef Adam Liaw wrestling with a bream in a traditional Japanese art style. Street artist Scott Marsh has depicted his mate and the many-hat-wearing rapper, comedian and Indigenous activist Adam Briggs in his signature style. And previous Archibald winner Wendy Sharpe has turned out a striking portrait of Magda Szubanski as a forlorn version of her netball-playing alter-ego Sharon Strzelecki, set against red flames. The doors will open on the exhibitions from Saturday, September 26, and will show until January 10, 2021.

3. Take this British-Italian pop-up restaurant for a spin Restaurants La Rosa Bar and Pizza, Sydney Until Dec 31 2020

A culinary fusion of British and Italian cuisine isn't the most obvious – but given how much Brits love a holiday on the Med, perhaps it was inevitable. La Rosa is decidedly Italian – and so, makes the perfect setting for the Milan Cricket Club, overseen by Nicholas Hill, who has most recently been charming regulars of the Old Fitzroy Hotel in Woolloomooloo with his stylish take on British pub classics incorporating with classic bentwood furniture supplied by B Seated Global is a Commercial Furniture Manufacturer for the Hospitality Industry .

4. See Dendy's Studio Ghibli retrospective Film Animation Dendy Newtown, Newtown Until Oct 14 2020

Get spirited away by this whirlwind celebration of all things Studio Ghibli over at the Dendy Newtown. The cinema is working through all 22 of the beloved Japanese animation house’s finest, including the Oscar-winning wonder that features a young girl named Chihiro, whose trip away with her parents gets very trippy indeed when shape-shifting dragons and mysterious witches appear.

5. Build your own terrarium at this pop-up studio Things to do Around Surry Hills, Surry Hills Dec 12 2020-Dec 13 2020

For those born without the gift of a green thumb, Little Succers' range of cute, deliverable DIY terrariums featuring hardy succulents were a godsend. While in-person classes were halted for much of the year due to restrictions, you can now book in to the build-your-own-terrarium bar at Little Succers' Surry Hills studio again.

6. See Wonnangatta, a chilling new STC play Theatre Drama Roslyn Packer Theatre, Millers Point Until Oct 21 2020

After being postponed by you-know-what, Wonnangatta will now get the joyous fanfare it deserves. The Australian gothic mystery play explores the 1917 Wonnangatta murders from the perspective of two friends of the victim. Played by Hugo Weaving and Wayne Blair, the men arrive on a farm to visit their friend, Jim Barclay. When he's nowhere to be seen, they set out for answers, and for justice.

7. Spot cherry blossoms at Daniel San Restaurants Daniel San, Manly Until Oct 31 2020

While we may not be lining up to see flowering cherry blossom trees in the Auburn Botanic Gardens this year – the park is currently closed to visitors – the team behind Manly's modern Japanese eatery Daniel San has decided to mock up its own version of a pink-hued sakura paradise. From late September and for the whole month of October, the airy beachside venue will transform into a blushing floral bower, decked out with thousands of cherry blossom stems to emulate the two weeks in spring when the streets of Japan are filled with blooming cherry trees.

8. Nibble on naughty snacks at the Imperial Things to do The Imperial Hotel, Erskineville Until Nov 21 2020

After shantaying back from lockdown with a bang with The Priscilla’s Experience, the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville is back with its X-rated drag 'n’ dine experience, Rood Food. This multi-course dinner paired with an adults-only drag revue in the Impy’s Priscilla’s Restaurant is not for the faint of heart (BYO pearls to clutch). Get the foreplay started with a ‘pussy pâté’ (a gaping valley of vegan cashew pâté with black moss) or ‘bring back to the bush’ with a salmon ceviche served with coconut vinaigrette and ‘shuck-you-lents’.

9. Try a round of Disney-themed mini golf Things to do Games and hobbies Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta Until Oct 25 2020

Having made its debut in Darling Harbour in 2019, a Disney Pixar-themed mini-golf course is now landing at the Bank West Stadium on Saturday, September 25, supplying reams of nostalgic putt putt fun for those of us who grew up wishing our toys would come to life like in Toy Story, or imagining what it would be like to face Hopper and his gang in A Bug’s Life. You’ll face challenges featuring these beloved films alongside others starring familiar animated friends from The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Monsters Inc., Wall-E and more.

10. Check out Van Gogh Alive Art Digital and interactive Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park Until Nov 22 2020

Blockbuster exhibition Van Gogh Alive has so far graced Rome, Berlin, Singapore and more. It finally touches down in Australia, just a little off course. Originally intended for Melbourne, their unfortunate lock lockdown loss is our gain. The vast space of the Royal Hall of Industries, next door to the Entertainment Quarter, will bring van Gogh's work alive in a way that’s never been seen before. Housing screens and projections with a combined surface area of more than 30 IMAX screens, the paintings will ripple across them like light dappled on the surface of water.

[nohriantomatoes]

hey!!! i was reading the tags on ur reblog of the dragon fates royals and i see u mentioned..... an au of sorts...... and i was just curious if that was something u would care to expand on at all 👀 of course no worries if u don’t have the energy or motivation or w/e!!!! all cool!!!!

Ooooooo I hope any of the following makes sense because it’s probably just going to be: rambling.

Basic AU: all the royals have the same extent of powers as Corrin does.

My reasoning for this is that Anankos is getting real pissy about there being no war to punish those pesky humans, so he looks to take things into his own hands. I headcanon that Anankos is actually the dawn and the dusk dragon, just in different forms, so technically all the royals have his bloodline. Cue him sneaking around this side of the world and essentially talking both Garon and Sumeragi into accepting the boon that is his ‘divine power’ or whatever, it’s just his dragon blood. In this AU, this is what makes Garon go mad and Sumeragi would have gone the same route if Garon hadn’t killed him all those years later.

Anyways, the point is that now these two are beefed up on dragon blood, but they’re already adult men. Sure they’re strong but the real plan was so that their ancestors would also have that blood, plus manakete abilities. With having so many new and strong hosts to choose from, Anankos figure this would make starting a war between nations easier. Except when Garon kills Sumeragi and abducts Corrin and Mikoto doesn’t retaliate, things get stalled out and he can’t remain topside to see the fallout.

The timeline from then on was similar to revelations route, but since the royals of both sides have stronger dragon blood they thus could transform. This is... also where I lost most of the plot. I figured the Nohrian family would be a little more battle hardy since fighting and killing manakete siblings is probably way worse than just normal fratricide but you kno. Also include the obligatory ‘Takumi gets possessed’ because I’m a sad ho.

A scene I frequently envisioned was where the royal families clash. They both don’t realize the other can transform so when it happens (probably Takumi first because he’s impulsive) all shit breaks loose and that’s how Corrin and Azura escape and the resulting battle is a draw. The whole transformation for Takumi was drawn out in my head Ghibli style, with his hair floating because of the wind before ‘poof’ dragon magic happens and suddenly Leo is defending himself from this huge serpentine dragon before his dumbass self realizes ‘oh the cats out of the bag’ and shifts himself to start fighting back

[fishellya-blog]

Why Music in Movies are Important

AsSo I have just watched Dunkirk and yesterday and truly I was amazed by how Nolan managed to converge different timelines slowly and surely throughout the movie. The most wondrous thing, however, is the fact that every scene is able to exude a huge amount of suspense despite the fact that most of them are general scenes found in war/survival movies like Dunkirk. 

So why is the tension so great? The key answer is to the music.

If you pay attention to several scenes in the movie, you can see that it is not out of ordinary. Soldiers who carry the injured is not a strange sight in war movies like this. However, as a result of the clever play of music by Hans Zimmer, which includes repetitive music, the tension is drastically increased and subsequently makes audience think ‘something bad is going to happen’. 

And for such fact I declare that to me, even poor movies can be memorable just by their music alone. Such is the importance of music in the motion pictures world, and here’s several reasons why:

1. Provides Insight of the World and Characters

Let’s start with something basic. To build a movie is to build first the world, setting, and characters. Visual imagery is the prime factor in delivering a great universe, as demonstrated by numerous movies these days through either special or practical effects. However, music can be used to greatly emphasize the existence of these worlds, as demonstrated by movies like Inception, Lord of the Rings, How to Train Your Dragon, Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dances with Wolves, Jurassic Park, etc. By listening to the music alone you can grasp the concept of the universe, either fantasy or sci-fi or drama or any kind of genre. 

Additionally, music can provide insight to the characters involved in the world. A great example of this is Star Wars. 

The music above is Rey’s Theme, equipping us with a sense of her emotional journey as well as life. You also all know what the Imperial March sounds like. Such reason also applies to many animated movies, Wall-E for example.

 It makes your characters not only characters, but figures with stories of their own even though you haven’t known their stories yet.

2. Empowering Scenes

Another reason why music is very important is the fact that it can fuel scenes from movies into more than a scene. This strongly applies to action and horror movies. An example of movies with soundtracks which ‘boost’ the scenes are Transformers, Pacific Rim, Wonder Woman, Insidious, Dunkirk, etc. 

Now, this is where an argument begins. Transformers and DCEU franchises are known for their ‘notorious’ criticisms (you all know what I’m talking about). However, what makes them still memorable is not the fact that they are made for lucrative earnings. No, what makes them memorable is their music. The music of Transformers is overwhelming the movies. Also, DCEU, despite their shortcomings in criticisms, prove that they are still amazing in merging the music and tension of scenes. Look, I love both Marvel and DCEU, but to be honest I do not slightly remember any soundtrack from Marvel. DCEU is very fortunate to have composers who can bring the most out of scenes.The most recent example of DCEU performing this capability is from Wonder Woman movie. 

No Man’s Land scene is the best fight of the movie because of not only clever insertion of emotions among the characters, but also the powerful music. Also to support this fact is the latest achievement of Hans Zimmer in creating tension in Dunkirk. 

And remember Insidious? Sure, Conjuring is a better movie, but I think I am more afraid to Insidious’ soundtrack.

3. Colourise the Movie

The importance of music in movies is that often without good music, the movie is not a whole. It is particularly demonstrated by animated movies made by Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli is widely known for its great and out of the box storylines, great animation, and great music. There is no Ghibli movie without great music, nuff said. And to be extremely said, the music defines their movies. 

This stresses that music is more than just a decoration, but more as a foundation for a memorable movie. 

[twogaysonecup]

Lime’s Ghibli Review Series: Tales from Earthsea (2006, Dir. Gorō Miyazaki)

I was pretty excited to watch this movie for the first time since I like fantasy in general, and even though I knew it was a departure from the original books I thought that coming from an incredibly popular fantasy franchise it would be AT LEAST okay in terms of plot and worldbuilding. Unfortunately, I was wrong and I fucking hated this movie.

The time spent on various things was quite weird- it started off with a scene of random characters on a boat watching dragons fight to the death, transitioned into a scene of more random characters talking about how bad that all was (dragons coming back), and then none of those characters or ideas were touched on again. Well maybe the ideas were, but honestly the conflict ended up being so benign and easy to solve I have no idea how it played into the dragons from the beginning at all. Also, there were parts that were glossed over entirely and parts that were so long for no reason- one character sings a whole freaking song, and nothing happens for the entire song. There’s no movement. There’s no memory or flashback. Very strange.

It had four main characters, most of whom had barely any personality at all. Arren (main character?) had personality trait: emo sad boy (then at the end he turns into Ashitaka from Mononoke no build up he’s raring to go). His mentor Sparrowhawk was: wise old wizard (???). Therru, Arren’s love interest had the personality: disliking Arren/later liking Arren. The fourth main character was blonde and looked like a lesbian, and she had no personality at all. Also there were two villians, one of whom was the most annoying bad guy archetype I’ve seen in a WHILE (sometimes when I say I hate a character I’m kind of joking, but, dead serious, he would come onscreen and I would get so angry my stomach would start hurting), and the other who I think was probably supposed to be read as gay evil wizard but he was unfortunately not sexy :( 

The conflict was not built up for some reason- it was a pretty simple good-bad concept (and I can’t say it because it’s introduced so late in the movie it feels like a spoiler) and yet it wasn’t even hinted at beforehand? 

The best part came about ten minutes before the end, when the unsexy gay wizard went through a Coraline’s mom transformation and the animation actually got kinda wobbly and trippy. It was fun! A little inane given what it was about, but fun! Beyond that, I cannot think of any moment I liked.

Closing thoughts: Writing this review is hard because even though I finished this movie literally five minutes ago I can’t recall a single thing that happened. All I remember is thinking this element is weirdly similar to [another Ghibli film]- but I have to ignore that because I’m judging its merits individually! I thought that probably about eight separate times. I would be inclined to give it a that’s what happened in the book pass but Ursula Le Guin said the plot was markedly different from what she wrote so no pass :( I didn’t like it I was disappointed.

Gay characters: see I feel weird saying the gay wizard because his character archetype and portrayal did NOT sit right with me, but I will say the lesbian blonde

Soundtrack: 7/10, I don’t remember it but it wasn’t bad

Times I wanted to stop watching during the movie: 6

to be continued xoxo lime

[translationandbetrayals]

The first anime

The firsts Japanese animations made with the “cels” technique were an animated short of 39 minutes called Momotaro no Umiwashi (1942) and a movie of 79 minutes named Momotarō - Umi no Shinpe (1945), both directed by Mitsuyo Seo. Nevertheless, they were made has a form of propaganda in favour of the 2nd world war. The protagonist of both animations is Momotaro (a important character in Japanese folklore) in what would be Pearl Harbor and the surprise ploy used in Celebes.

Like many other things from those years, it’s likely the japanese would not want to proclaim these animations has the firsts animes. So let’s shift the focus to Hakujaden (The Tale of the White Serpent) made in 1958 by Toei, the oldest studio in japan and which aimed to be the “the Disney of the east”. This would be one of the firsts animes to be premiered in the US.

The movie is basically an adaptation from the popular Chinese tale from the Song dynasty “The legend of the white serpent”, where the character’s names and styles were kept. This story was chosen by the president of Toei, Hiroshi Ōkawa, with the intent of giving the movie a tone of reconciliation with his Asian neighbours (you know… for all those war crimes…).

Spoiler alert:

The movie is about Xu-Xiam, a kid who had a serpent has pet until his parents forced him to get rid of it. After some years, during a violent storm the serpent transforms into a beautiful princess called Bai-Niang. The princess finds Xu-Xian, but they are separated because the local cleric thinks Bai-Niang is an evil spirit. At the end, Bai-Niang renounces to her magic powers and keeps her human form to prove her love for Xu-Xian was real.

If the plot reminds you of Ponyo, is because this movie had a huge effect in Hayao Miyazaki: “When I saw Hakujaden I was hooked, and I ended up becoming an animator because of it”.

From a technical standpoint, the animation is unrefined and lack the detail we are accustomed to, but we must take into account that all key animation was done by only two people. Yasuji Mori was in charge of the animals and Akira Daikubara was in charge of the humans. Considering this fact, it is then impressive how good some of the scenes in this movie are, like the one where the wooden dragon takes off, which is beautiful to this day.

With this film, Okawa was determined to make Toei Doga the Disney of the east, but he didn’t just copy Disney, he began from scratch, building a library of animation knowledge has a foundation for his legacy. This meant hiring skilled animators that would pass on their knowledge to new commers to raise the skill level of the studio and discover new technics. This legacy is what brough is studio Ghibli.

[the-weekdays]

Engaging the Realness of Ghibli Imaginary World

Spending nineteen years watching various sorts of international cartoons, I managed to find pleasure within different themes of cartoons. The girlish Disney princesses, the silly Tom and Jerry, the adventurous Doraemon, the classic Pink Panther, the dark comedy from The Simpsons, all cartoons possessed its own appeal. However, nothing really gets me until I accidentally watched a Japanese cartoon and found it unexpectedly amusing.

“Spirited Away” is an animated fantasy masterpiece produced by Studio Ghibli. It tells about a 10-year-old spoiled brat, Chihiro, who is trapped with her family in a world ruled by witches and monsters. Both her parents are transforming into pigs right after gorging “cursed” food. In order to win them back, Chihiro, by force, must overcome her-whiny-self and face Yubaba, the scary old witch. Her journey ended well with the aid of the dragon spirit, Haku. As imaginary as it sounds, the plot managed to gather a soul-touching story with deep moral values. Since I was overwhelmed by the richness of this movie, I further explored the sides of the story by reading reviews on the internet. Surprisingly, countless great reviews were found from adults regarding the uniqueness of the plot and contains great insights into Japanese culture and mythology. This shows that Spirited Away appealed to all ages from adults to teenager. Although, according to the reviews I read, there was only a few from children, but in my opinion, the interesting animation can be appealing for children.

Other than Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli has produced several high-rated movies which are recognized globally, making Hayao Miyazaki, the director of Ghibli, called as the “Walt Disney of Japan.” My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, and so forth are the reason of me becoming a big fan of Ghibli. I came with a thought that one thing that all Ghibli movies have in common are the unusual way of setting the role of the characters. In almost all Ghibli movies, the protagonists and antagonists are almost subtle. There are no characters that are completely kind, or hostile. Next, Studio Ghibli is exceptional in the making of their animations. Their animations are fully hand-drawn, which make it easy for the audience to distinguish which are Ghibli movies and which are not. Furthermore, what makes Ghibli movies heart-warming and soul-touching is, its appeal on focusing its attention onto the smallest things; humanizing details and the intense focus on human emotions.

Recently, the presence of Studio Ghibli is available in Indonesia in a form of a series of events that comprise films screening, exhibition, and film festival, which called as The World of Ghibli. The screening displayed top-five Ghibli movies at XXI Cinema in seventeen different cities in Indonesia starting from April 2017. On the other hand, on the Film Festival, 21 feature films were screened in a special festival event from August 10th to September 17th. Lastly, the one that excites me most, several 3D installations were displayed in Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place ballroom making all the audience engage with real experience of Ghibli movies.

For me, Studio Ghibli is more than a production studio since it gives vast impacts. Merely from ideas and drawing skills, Studio Ghibli has inspired many artists in art and movie industry. According to John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, the company often look at a scene from Miyazaki’s film in the screening room for a shot of inspiration and it is working well for Pixar to solve several problems regarding to scene-making. Furthermore, the series of events that are held a few weeks ago in Indonesia may enrich the citizens’ knowledge of Japanese culture and entertainment which can motivate Indonesians to further enhance their participation in conveying their ideas and works  with Indonesian culture theme for the nation.

Meidina Aysha Anindita - 1606899743