Ryan Gallagher
This Tuesday, September 3rd, the find folks at Gkids are releasing a gorgeous new Blu-ray for Studio Ghibli’s latest home video release here in the States: From Up On Poppy Hill.
Directed by Gorō Miyazaki and written by his father, Hayao, From Up On Poppy Hill is a touching, beautifully animated tale set in 1963 Japan.
The setting is Yokohama in 1963, and the filmmakers lovingly bring to life the bustling seaside town, with its misty harbor, sun-drenched gardens, shops and markets, and some of the most mouthwatering Japanese home-cooking set to film. The story centers on an innocent romance beginning to bud between Umi and Shun, two high school kids caught up in the changing times. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the 1964 Olympics – and the mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. While the children work together to save a dilapidated Meiji-era club house from demolition, their tentative relationship begins to blossom. But – in an unexpected twist that parallels what the country itself is facing – a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.
I really enjoyed the film, although I’d recommend watching it in Japanese and skip the English dub.
Check out the trailer for the film:
The fine folks at Gkids & Cinedigm have offered you lovely readers the chance to win one of five copies of the Blu-ray.
You can see some packaging shots of the disc here.
How do you win said disc? Here are the rules:
- Fill out the form below (completely)
- Leave a comment below, with your favorite Studio Ghibli film.
- You must live in the US (sorry international folks)
- No PO Boxes.
- Make sure if you want to be entered, you leave a comment AND fill out the form. If you do only one or the other, you won’t qualify.
- Winners will be picked on Friday, September 6th at 11:59pm (Pacific). I’ll close the comment thread at that point.
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Howl’s Moving Castle
My favorite Studio Ghibli film would have to be “Spirted Away,” it was my first, and while “Princess Mononoke” might be Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest film, “Spirted Away” will always have a deeper significance for me.
My favorite Miyazaki film is Princess Mononoke. To me, it’s like what would happen if Akira Kurosawa was still alive and he and Miyazaki teamed up for a movie together. My favorite Takahata film is Grave of the Fireflies because it feels like the one Ghibli film that’s the most emotionally powerful in my opinion.
I’d love to get a copy of this movie! Good choice for a giveaway guys!
My favorite Ghibli Film is Princess Mononoke! So sad to hear he’ retiring, he’s going out on top though, the man has left quite the legacy.
Porco Rosso has really taken over the top spot for me lately.
Howl’s Moving Castle
My favorite is Princess Mononoke, which I used to watch obsessively when I was in college. Totoro would be a close second.
Princess Mononoke
My favorite Studio Ghibli film is definitely Princess Mononoke. It was the film that prompted me to seek out the rest of Studio Ghibli’s output.
My favorite Ghibli film is Howl’s Moving Castle
Princess Mononoke!
My Neighbor Totoro or My Neighbors the Yamadas
Princess Mononoke
My favorite Studio Ghibli film is Graves of the Fireflies
Spirited Away
Princess Mononoke. It took me 10 years to know whether it was this or Spirited Away. Miyazaki (I know – he alone is not Ghibli) is akin to pre-Cars 2 Pixar in that his worst movie rates a 7 out of 10, and most of his films are his best film. That said, if you can find it, Future Boy Conan, a 24 part tv series he did in the 70’s plays like 90’s Miyazaki. It’s warm and brilliant.
My Neighbor Totoro
I really love My Neighbor Totoro :) One of my favorites and we got the kids into it too!
(Filled out the form as Chi :) )
My favorite is “My Neighbor Totoro.” I was really disappointed with the Disney dub. As good as the cast is on it, it’ll never compare to the dub on the VHS.
Either Ponyo, or Castle in the Sky.
[email protected]
I really enjoyed Kiki’s Delivery Service
I’d have to say princess mononoke is my favorite!
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke (Since Nausicaa technically isn’t a Studio Ghibli Film)
I’d definitely have to go with Howl’s Moving Castle.
Mimi wo Sumaseba” or Whisper of the Heart. Even if the English title has nothing to do with Japanese title.
My Neighbor Totoro
Think I have to go with My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro
My favorite is Howl’s Moving Castle.
Can’t wait to see it
Princess Mononoke is my favorite — with Grave of the Fireflies as a close second.
Howls Moving Castle.
Princess Mononoke is my favorite probably mainly because it was the
first Miyazaki work I saw. Never having seen anything like it before, I
was enthralled!
The Cat Returns!!
My favorite is My Neighbor Totoro, I grew up on it so it has a favorite spot in my heart.
Definitely Princess Mononoke, saw it in the theatre on a first date with my now wife
Its a very hard decision because they are all so wonderful, but it would have to be My Neighbor Totoro. That movie just makes me feel so warm inside.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Spirited Away
Spirited Away, and I’ve never seen a film from Ghibli that was anything less than a masterpeice.
I’ve never seen a Ghibli film, so I don’t have a favorite, but I’d sure like to!
My favorite Ghibli film would be Grave of the Fireflies. It has no fantasy and no environmentalism in it. Just a sad, but wonderfully made story about a two siblings trying to survive during World War II.
Grave of the Fireflies.
Kiki’s Delivery Service was the first Ghibli film I believe I ever saw (I think even before Pokémon) and what really made me fall in love with Ghibli films. I need to get them on Blu-ray, the animation is so timeless. Have you seen Ni No Kuni on PS3? Studio Ghibli did the animation/graphics for the game :) I wish Ghibli films didn’t take so long to be released here, I love them!
My favorite is ‘My Neighbor Totoro’
Princess Mononoke
(Though that’s a tough call…)
My Favorite Is Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro
My Favorite Is Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro
PORCO ROSSO!!!!!
My Neighbor Totoro
Princess Mononoke is my favorite, just because its so evocative of Miyazaki’s work as a whole
How Moving Castle