Studio Ghibli: Art and Industry

In this course we will examine the creative output of anime Studio Ghibli, focusing on the work of its founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. We will study the two filmmakers' early artistic collaborations and the changes and challenges in the anime industry at the time that prompted them to establish their own studio together with producer Toshio Suzuki. We will watch and discuss major Ghibli films, from the 1980s Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies through the studio's global success with the Disney-distributed Spirited Away (2001) to their most recent releases. Topics include environmental themes, unique characters, and aesthetic appeal, as well as issues related to anime production and its global distribution.