November 2004
November 30, 2004 "Howl" Around the World and Miyazaki Expo in Paris
BBC News is reporting that Howl's Moving Castle is scheduled for release in 50 countries. We'll update the FAQ as more countries are confirmed.
The Miyazaki and Moebius Expo opens in Paris tomorrow (December 1) and runs through March 13. Over 300 original creations are on display.
In other Studio Ghibli-related French news the official "Howl" site is open (other sites). A trailer is hidden behind the lengthy Flash intro.
Thanks to Simon Wilkes, Matthew Shepherdson, Nicolas, and Joost Backaert for the news.
November 24, 2004 Japan Times Gives "Howl's Moving Castle" 4.5/5 Stars
Mark Schilling's full review, as a comparison he gave Spirited Away 5/5 stars. Please let us know if you find other English-language reviews.
Thanks to Brian Ruh for posting the news to the MML.
November 23, 2004 Director of "Monsters, Inc." to Produce English version of "Howl"
During a press conference held by Howl's Moving Castle producer Toshio Suzuki it was annouced that Pete Docter (director of "Monsters, Inc.") will head of production of the English version of "Howl". John Lasseter was the first choice but he is working on "Cars" and unable to handle both films simultaneously.
November 22, 2004 "Howl" Breaks Japanese Weekend Box Office Record
From Kyodo Press Flash24:
Toho announced :
'Howl' earned 1,400 million yen (~$13.5 million USD) at the box office in the first day of release and its next day (Nov 20, 21). This is the highest new record at a Japanese movie.
Furthermore, Toho said, "This is a golden chance. We are going to aim at Spectator mobilization of 40 million people and The box office revenue of 50 billion yen."
Thanks to Akito T for posting the news to the MML.
November 22, 2004 "Howl's Moving Castle" Trailers and Translations
With the release of Howl's Moving Castle on Saturday (November 20) not noted by Nausicaa.net until now, please accept the following trailers and translations as penance:
NTV Trailer Translation
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(print) A film by Miyazaki Hayao
(print) The two of them lived in...
(print) Howl's Moving Castle
(print) The heroine is a 90-year old girl
(print) Her sweetheart is a cowardly magician
(print) The two of them lived in Howl's Moving Castle
(print) Music: Hisaishi Joe
(print) Sophie: Baisho Chieko
Sophie: Howl? You're not Howl by any chance, are you?
(print) Howl: Kimura Takuya
(print) Witch of the waste: Miwa Akihiro
Witch: Thank you for delivering my letter to Howl.
(print) This old lady is pretty energetic!
(print) Miyazaki Hayao has drawn...
(print) ...the joy of being alive and the delights of love
(print) The incredible classic that's drawn the attention of all the world
(print) Howl's Moving Castle (with tons of misc small print)
(print) Showing nationwide November 20
Second Trailer Translation
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Sophie: Do you need to use the bathroom?
Old lady: I'm fine, thanks.
Sophie: Goodnight.
Old lady: It's love, isn't it?
Sophie: Hmm?
Old lady: Lately (?) you've been doing nothing but sigh.
Sophie: (sighs)
(print) A film by Miyazaki Hayao
Old lady: I knew it.
(print) Howl's Moving Castle
(Theme song starts in the background)
(print) The heroine is a 90-year-old girl
(print) Her sweetheart is a cowardly magician
(print) The two of them lived in Howl's Moving Castle
(print) This old lady is pretty energetic!
(print) Miyazaki Hayao has drawn the joy of being alive and the delights of love
(print) Music: Hisaishi Joe (plus the credit for the theme song in tiny print)
(print) Sophie: Baisho Chieko
Sophie: You're saying that Howl doesn't have a heart?!
(print) Howl: Kimura Takuya
(print) Witch of the waste: Miwa Akihiro
Sophie: To be sure, he's selfish, a coward, and I don't understand how he thinks.
(print) Michael: Kamiki Ryuunosuke
Sophie: But he's direct.
Sophie: He just wants to live as he pleases.
(print) Hin: Harada Daijirou
(print) Calcifer: Gashuuin Tatsuya
(print) Sulliman: Kato Haruko
Sulliman: Howl's weakness has been found.
(print) The incredible classic that's drawn the attention of all the world
Howl: Finally, I've found something I must protect.
Howl: It's you.
(print) The two of them lived in...
(print) Howl's Moving Castle
(print) Showing nationwide November 20
November 19, 2004 Miyazaki Influences in Different Mediums
Miyazaki's popularity with animators is no secret, and his fans find various ways of paying homage. The Cartoon Network series Code Lyoko by the French studio Antefilms features a Miyazaki lookalike (scan source) as well as an Oh-Totoro in one episide:
An Oh-Totoro has appeared in at least two episodes of the Powerpuff Girls (Criss Cross Crisis and Ploys 'R Us); series creator Craig McCracken is a confessed Miyazaki fan.:
Half-Life 2 doesn't include any in-game references (as far as we know) but the bundled hint book with the Collector's Edition of the game reveals:
The design is reminiscence of the Heedras from the Nausicaa manga:
The section of the hint book with the Miyazaki reference is excerpted from the "Half Life 2 - Raising the Bar" book.
Thanks to Mia for the Code Lyoko and Powerpuff Girls information and Steve Warrick for the Half-Life 2 information and scans.
November 10, 2004 R1 Releases Back on Track... With a Twist
A press release annoucing the arrival of three DVDs on February 22, 2005 is availiable on UltimateDisney.com.
The twist is that "The Cat Returns" has replaced "Totoro" in the lineup.
Of note is the first publication of the voice cast for "The Cat Returns":
- Anne Hathaway ("The Princes Diaries 2: Royal Engagement")
- Cary Elwes ("Ella Enchanted")
- Peter Boyle (TV's "Everybody Loves Raymond")
- Elliott Gould ("Ocean's Eleven")
- Andy Richter ("Elf")
- Rene Auberjonois ("The Little Mermaid")
- Tim Curry ("The Wild Thornberrys Movie")
- Judy Greer ("The Village")
- Andrew Bevis
- Kristen Bell
- Kristine Sutherland (TV's "Buffy The Vampire Slayer")
- Katia Coe
All three DVDs contain the original Japanese audio track along with new English dubs.
Thanks to William Raymer for posting the news to the MML.
November 10, 2004 "Howl's Moving Castle" Review
There is now a review of "Howl's Moving Castle" on Ain't It Cool News from an English-speaking (I assume American) fan who saw a preview screeing in Japan. He had read the book and says the movie follows the book except for some changes at the end. His only complaint is that there is a lot to be explained in a short time at the end.
More reviews and articles.
Thanks to Joel Manahan for the news.
