When Marnie Was There will be Studio Ghibli’s last feature.
We look at Ghibli’s final films and what they mean for the future of animation.
If theres one abiding message behind Studio Ghiblis animated output, its that nothing is permanent.
Happiness is delicate; summers pass; memories fade.
Porco Rosso,Kikis Delivery Service with each subsequent release, Ghiblis stature grew both in Japan and overseas.
As the affection for those films spread, so too did Studio Ghiblis fame.
TakahatasThe Tale Of The Princess Kaguyais no less personal, and hardly less powerful as a work of drama.
Its about the freedom of youth and how it can become stifled by society.
The films most powerful scenes are the ones Takahata himself is most proud of.
This is why we stopped making films together, and I took different path from his.
Inevitably, Miyazaki and Takahatas collective brilliance has cast a long shadow over Studio Ghibli.
I can do work if Im given a theme and if I have the right circumstances.
But despite the possibilities it presents,When Marnie Was Thereisntnew beginning for Studio Ghibli.
Instead, its the companys feature filmmaking swansong.
Suzuki-san is making a dissolution program for Ghibli, Miyazaki toldCut Magazinein 2010.
No joke, we talked about it the other day.
So, Ghibli can say We stop film production.
I do not have to be there.
Yet Miyazaki seemed less certain; We have no future plans, the anime maestro toldThe Telegraphs Robbie Collin.
We just want to take some time off.
Nevertheless, its not all doom and gloom for hand-drawn animation.
Its a specialist technique, and its used for certain stories.
The mainstream has definitely gone CGI.
Its not going to change back, and wishing it wont make it so.
And I dont wish it anymore.
Ive realised that its been a liberation for traditional animation, to be marginalised, as it were.
What they can express are different.
Im determined not to stop that tradition.
Over its 30 year history, it has delighted the world with its heartfelt, guileless films.
