Latest news with #Takahata
SoraNews24
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Exhibition honoring Studio Ghibli's late Isao Takahata is now open in Tokyo's Azabudai Hills
The event features never-before-seen artwork and more to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the pioneering animation director's birth. Isao Takahata is perhaps best known to Western audiences as a founding member of the beloved Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli and as director of some of its most famous works, including Grave of the Fireflies (1988), Pom Poko (1994), and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013). Born on October 29, 1935, Takahata took a leading role in shaping Japanese animation over the course of over 50 years, alongside frequent collaborator and friend Hayao Miyazaki, until his passing in 2018 at the age of 82. In honor of the 90th anniversary of Takahata's birth, a new exhibition titled Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man who Planted Japanese Animation that's being held at Tokyo's Azabudai Hills Gallery is welcoming visitors between June 27 and September 15. ▼ Promotional poster for the exhibition featuring Setsuko, one of the main characters of Grave of the Fireflies The gallery features animation cells and background art from several of Takahata's iconic TV series and films such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974), Grave of the Fireflies , and Pom Poko on display for the first time. Since this year also marks 80 years since the end of the Pacific War, special tribute is paid to the lasting legacy of Grave of the Fireflies. The film, which is often considered to be Takahata's masterpiece, follows two war orphan siblings in the aftermath of the 1945 fire bombings of Kobe. For this part of the exhibition, Hideki Anno, who served as a key animator for the film before going on to become a successful director for Neon Genesis Evangelion and more, has hand-selected impactful scenes to play at the gallery. ▼ Hideki's layout drawings for the Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Maya (as it appears in the film) are also revealed for the first time. Visitors can also purchase an audio guide featuring Japanese-language narration for an additional fee on top of the ticket price. This guide also comes bundled with a musical playlist curated by filmmaker Shunji Iwai, a distant relative of Takahata, designed to accompany the works of art throughout the gallery. ▼ Shunji Iwai Unlike most other art galleries, there are some hands-on, interactive elements to this exhibition. Visitors will delight in the giant Papanda prop from one of Takahata's earlier works, Panda! Go, Panda! (1972), and the ability to recreate the scene of Pan-chan flying to grab onto his dad's fluffy tummy for themselves. It certainly makes for a fun commemorative photo. In addition, it wouldn't be a Japanese exhibition without a tie-in collaboration cafe. The menu features a variety of foods and drinks that pay tribute to some of Takahata's most beloved works, including Panda! Go, Panda! curry. Finally, weekday visitors to the gallery will receive a free multi-use paper case with a drawing of Takahata inside. There are five versions in total, one for each day of the week featuring a different one of Takahata's productions. Online tickets for the Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man who Planted Japanese Animation begin at 2,000 yen (US$13.87) for general admission with discounts for high school/university students, young children, and more. They can be purchased on the gallery's official website or via the Lawson Ticket site. Along similar lines, for some newly revealed artwork behind the unrealized concepts of Miyazaki, you may also be interested in this artbook to be released in early July. Exhibition information Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man who Planted Japanese Animation / 高畑勲展 ̶日本のアニメーションを作った男。 Address: Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Toranomon 5-8-1 Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza A, MB floor 東京都港区虎ノ門 5-8-1 麻布台ヒルズ ガーデンプラザA MB階 Duration: June 27-September 15 Open: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (last entry at 7:30 p.m.); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays from June 27-July 18 Website Source, images: PR Times (1, 2) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
Metropolis Japan
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metropolis Japan
Takahata Isao Exhibition: The Man Who Planted Japanese Animation
The year 2025 marks two significant milestones: 80 years ago, the Pacific War came to an end, and 90 years ago, the legendary anime director, producer, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Isao Takahata (1935-2018), was born. In celebration of the 90th anniversary of Takahata's birth, Azabudai Hills Gallery presents a comprehensive retrospective exhibition on Takahata's profound legacy and significant impact on Japanese animation from June 27 to September 15. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Studio Ghibli, and delves into Takahata's imposing artistic journey: Tracing his early inspirations, creative philosophy, and groundbreaking innovations in Japanese animation. The exhibition features a special focus on Grave of the Fireflies (1988), a highly moving anti-war film shaped by Takahata's own experience growing up during World War II. By exploring Takahata's wide range of productions–including celebrated early projects such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974) and Anne of Green Gables (1979) to his influential contributions at Studio Ghibli, including Only Yesterday (1991), Pom Poko (1994) and his final production The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)–the exhibition deepens and unfolds Takahata's indelible mark on Japanese animation. The exhibition is open every day from 10.00 am-8.00 pm (last entry 7.30 pm). Please note, that in the period from June 27 to July 18, Tuesdays and Sundays are 10.00 am-5 pm with last entry 4.30 pm. Head to the website to learn more about tickets and special tours offered as part of the exhibition.
Asahi Shimbun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Japanese Netflix to add ‘Grave of the Fireflies,' first Ghibli film
A Studio Ghibli movie is finally coming to a streaming service in Japan, but it's not one of the heartwarming titles most often associated with the studio's image. Netflix Inc. announced on May 15 that 'Grave of the Fireflies" will be available on its platform from July 15 ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The 1988 animated film directed by Isao Takahata depicts a pair of war-displaced siblings struggling to survive in Kobe in the waning days of World War II. Author Akiyuki Nosaka (1930-2015) drew on his experience living through air raids on Kobe during the war to write the novel that would inspire the film that shares its name. "Fireflies" is the first Ghibli movie to make it to a streamer in Japan. SALES AND SOCIAL MEDIA While the studio Takahata was part of produced it, Shinchosha Publishing Co. holds the copyright as the publisher of the book's paperback edition. Netflix began distributing the film in approximately 190 countries and regions outside of Japan on Sept. 16, 2024. It logged a total of 1.5 million views (total watch time divided by the movie's run time) in the first week of its release and ranked seventh globally for non-English-language movies. Among the numerous comments on review sites in English-speaking countries were posts declaring the film was a masterpiece that they never wanted to see again. Others noted how it overlapped with the war-related situations in Ukraine and Gaza. The publisher shared that it received a wave of requests, mainly on social media, to make the film available in Japan as well. In fact, the month "Fireflies" began streaming overseas, Shinchosa said the DVD's domestic sales surged fivefold over the prior month and that this was one of the factors that led to a change in its cautious stance on domestic distribution. The film had previously been aired on Japanese TV, but it has not returned since an April 2018 memorial broadcast shortly after Takahata's death. Other than that, it has only been individually licensed for revival screenings at movie theaters and other venues, according to Shinchosha. 'It is unusual for a film that is over 30 years old to be viewed to this extent,' said Kazutaka Sakamoto, 42, who oversees the content division at the Japanese arm of Netflix. 'I myself had seen it when I was a child, but watching it again now, I feel that it carefully depicts not only the tragedy but also the joy of life,' he said. UNEXPECTED RESONANCE Vietnam is one country where "Fireflies" has gained substantial popularity. Netflix did not disclose the actual number of views, but said the movie ranked eighth during the first week of its release. Shinchosha also shared that, beyond streaming, 200 movie theaters in Vietnam held screenings that attracted more than 84,000 people in one month—an unprecedented figure for an old film. Some believe that memories of the Vietnam War may be the reason for the strong response to the film. Nosaka's original novel was published in 1967, just as the United States was entering the Vietnam War in earnest and the conflict was descending into a quagmire. Vietnamese YouTuber Man Thi Loan, 31, said she has seen the film five times so far. 'I couldn't believe that it was a story from another country,' she said. 'I was surprised at how similar it was to the damage from bombings I used to hear about from my grandparents of the Vietnam War generation.' Loan said she is of a generation that has not experienced war and her grandparents taught her that "war is terrible and peace is the best" while growing up. 'We must look hard at the reality as depicted in (the film) so that we can continue to have peace,' said Loan. Akihiro Yamamoto, an associate professor at the Kobe City University of Foreign Studies who has researched the novel's historical background, points out that viewers' 'war-weary' sentiment overlaps with the feelings that Nosaka put into his work. At the time Nosaka was writing his book, 'Japan's economic growth was accelerating due to special military procurement, while many people were being killed in Vietnam every day,' Yamamoto said. Yamamoto believes that Nosaka, who also wrote about the tragedy of the Vietnam War in an essay, incorporated such contradictions and feelings of war weariness into the novel. The 'realism of war' is depicted in the animated version as well. Moments such as an on-the-ground perspective of air raids and the poor treatment of one protagonist's corpse "probably touched the hearts of the Vietnamese people and made them sympathize," said Yamamoto. Netflix Japan's Sakamoto holds a similar desire as the company has lined up the movie's distribution with the 80th summer since the end of World War II. "I hope this film will provide an opportunity to spread the baton relay of 'memories' among viewers who did not experience the war," he said.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Japan looking to add a tourist tax to manage over tourism
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Japan has become a hot travel destination in recent years but there may be some changes on the horizon. To help control the influx of visitors, the Japanese government is looking to implement a tourist tax. Japan has been attracting more visitors in recent years thanks to is majestic mountains, captivating temples and a favorable exchange rate for travelers. Easter in Hawaii: Are tariffs impacting prices? Scott Suzui has guided tours to Japan for decades. He said it's definitely gotten more crowded. 'We went just few months ago. We went to just one area and there were thousands of people just standing, and we decided to not even get off the bus, because of how populated that area was with tourists,' Suzui said. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, a record breaking 36.8 million people traveled to Japan in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 32 million in 2019. Eric Takahata, managing director of Hawaii Tourism Japan, said the Japanese government is looking for a way to manage the overwhelming numbers.'The government of Japan right now is facing over tourism situation, much like we in Hawaii were facing pre-pandemic in 2019,' Takahata explained. 'So implementing fees on visitors is one way to manage over tourism and really then reinvest back into your infrastructure right with those fees that you tack onto the visitor.' Takahata isn't sure how much the visitors will be charged but compares it to a system widely used in Hawaii. 'We suspect it's going to be rolled out something much like how Hawaii has a kamaaina versus a visitor rate,' he said. 'I mean, look at kamaaina rates in Hawaii, those have been in place forever, right? I think that residents should have an advantage over a visitor in general, and so I think Japan is starting to look at their tourism in that way as well.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Some places already have plans to charge visitors higher rates. Starting in May, travelers planning to hike Mount Fuji will be charged 4,000 yen, which converts to about $27, which is double the original cost. The price will not increase for Japanese citizens. The goal of the tourist tax is to protect cultural landmarks, generate funds to provide adequate infrastructure and to create balance. 'I don't think it's going to have a big impact on travel to Japan,' Takahata added. 'I think that it will have some impact. But that still remains to be seen depending on how much the fee is going to be.' Suzui's wife, who is born and raised in Japan, is all for it. 'She said, 'Good, they should charge people, then less people will be coming,' you know,' Suzui said. 'It could be beneficial, because it won't be as crazy, crazy, you know.' Takahata said it's still being discussed but it could happen as early as 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
