Pom Poko

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Pom Poko!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd December 2021

Yes we're taking another trip into the anime well. And we're casting a look at the distinguished body of work that came from the one and only Studio Ghibli - with one of their more overlooked movies. - but then again this is Ghibli we're talking about and anything that is directed by someone who isn't Hayao Miyazaki is automatically dubbed overlooked.
Still, I have been putting off this movie for quite some time: One of a handful of movies courtesy of Ghibli's other genius/co-founder Isao Takahata. No time like the present I guess...

I have to admit that Pom Poko is indeed a unique entrant in Takahata's body of work. I know he can do realistic stories with attention to detail (ie Grave of the Fireflies and Only Yesterday) and I know he can do experimental works that take animation into new places and gobble up Ghibli's profits (ie My Neighbors the Yamadas and Tale of Princess Kaguya). So where does this leave Pom Poko?
If anything, it seems to take some of Miyazaki's familiar themes - pastoral landscapes, inventive designs and ecological theme - and place them in a different context. Nothing wrong with that - I mean why not have someone different talk about the same thing? - but there are times when it feels less like a Takahata film and more like one where he was peering over Miyazaki's shoulder and taking notes.
Still, this is a Ghibli movie and has all we come to expect: Humour, imagination, weirdness, high quality animation and some truly heartfelt moments. In fact, I do wonder why this is one of Ghibli's overlooked films as the themes of rebellion and ecological concerns would indeed find an audience in this current political climate...

Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Akagi no An (Anne of Green Gables)!

Original image located here. Accessed 22nd January 2021

Yep, we taking another dive into the anime well - and in this case, the World Masterpiece Theater. And what is World Masterpiece theater you may ask?
From 1979 to 2000, Nippon Animation would annually produce a TV series based on famous work of classical literature. Such titles to get the anime treatment would be Little Women, Heidi, Tom Sawyer and others. Some of these would even get shortened down into a feature length release.
World Masterpiece Theater is also notable for being a early work for future Studio Ghibli founders Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki. And this is one such work with Takahata directing, Miyazaki doing layouts and another Ghibli alumni, Yoshifumi Kondo, proving character designs.

I must admit that watching this movie was a challenge on multiple fronts. Firstly I have no familiarity with the source material so this was going through new ground. Secondly, this is a a one hundred minute movie made up of the first six episodes of a 50 episode strong (!) series, thereby making it a glimpse into something greater. And thirdly, I have found a lot of anime made in the late seventies tend to age quite drastically.
But to view this movie as an early Ghibli work is a fascinating one. Already some of the Ghibli trademarks are in place: Detailed artwork, gorgeous scenery, animation with realistic movement, moments of whimsy, and a female protagonist who is both spunky and charming. And Takahata once again proves to be the master of the quiet moment.
It may not be on par with the future triumphs that Ghibli would bring but from the looks of it., it was already on it's way.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Kaguya-hime no Monogatari (The Tale of the Princess Kaguya)!

Original image located here. Accessed 30th November 2018

I've always had a soft spot for Isao Takahata. Whilst Hayao Miyazaki has become synonymous with Studio Ghibli, it unfortunately results in the other movies and filmmakers in that collective being given the shaft. Which is shame because a lot of said movies, are superb works, worthy of standing both on their own two feet and emerging out of the shadow of what Miyazaki's imagination can cook up. I mean Takahata is the co-founder of Ghibli so that must count for something right?
In any case, Takahata left this earthly plane earlier this year so now is a good time as any to visit his final movie.

Let me say this up front: It's going to be impossible to divorce this movie from the creator. It's going to be impossible to vie this movie as the accumulation of what Takahata's been doing over his career. It's going to be impossible to see this movie as a meditation from someone who felt his time was approaching.
So what is this movie then? It is perhaps the most beautiful movies I have ever seen, animated or otherwise, and easily capable of standing tall as one of Ghibli's strongest works (which is indeed saying something).
And I will even admit a particular poignancy to seeing the final credit of 'Directed by Isao Takahata' fading in before fading to black.

Panda go Panda

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Panda go Panda!

Original image located here. Accessed 14th September 2018

This feature is a pair of anime half-hour shorts. Its not well known outside some circles but it is notable for being an early collaboration between Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata before they founded the legendary Studio Ghibli. With these shorts, Takahata directs and Miyazaki provides the script, design, layouts and animation.

So what we have here is clearly Studio Ghibli in it's Mesozoic era. The artwork is indeed a far cry from what would come in the future (this was made in the early seventies) but all the familiar trademarks are already in place: An eye for detail, expressive animation, humor, charm for both adults and children alike, an interesting heroine and, in Papa Panda, a progenitor of Totoro.
It may not be on par with Ghibli's finest but that doesn't mean it's without it's charms.

Only Yesterday

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Only Yesterday!

Original image located here. Accessed 17th February 2017

Hayao Miyazaki may have become synonymous with Studio Ghibli but that does present a problem: Ghibli's other works (you know, the one's not directed by Miayzaki and/or not feature fantastical whimsy) may find themselves getting the shaft. Which is a shame because some of them are pretty good in their own right.

Which brings us to Only Yesterday. Once again, this is an anime movie that shows that Ghibli can do 'Slice of Life' anime really well. The art direction is astonishing and could well be the most beautiful of Ghibli's works - which is certainly saying something.
But I have to admit this movie does come with a degree of resonance for me: It is a reflection on a life lived and how one's choices can shape one's self - and how they can never hold anyone back. It's something for me to consider as I limp through my mid-thirties, and posting reflective Notes in this corner of cyberspace. Thus, if a movie has had such a profound effect then it must've done something right
Oh and special mention must go to the end-credits sequence - truly a thing of beauty.