March 29, 2002 "Whisper" DVD with English Subtitles
CD Japan recently removed English subtitles from the "Whisper" DVD listing, we believe this to be an error.
This page (in Japanese) shows the DVD with English subtitles. Past DVDs indicate that English subtitles are the rule, not the exception.
However, the "rule" is broken by the "Sherlock Holmes" DVD scheduled for release on the same day as "Whisper". It will not have an English dub or English subtitles.
March 26, 2002 (Vague) Disney Release Information
Niall Somerville received this reply from BVHE regarding the home video release of several Studio Ghibli films:
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Thank you for your email concerning Japanese animation.
I am pleased to inform you the Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbour Totoro and Castle in the Sky are due for release in October of this year.
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Niall pointed out, "They didn't actually say if they meant the UK, US or both. They also don't say whether it's VHS, DVD or both."
More news as it becomes available.
March 26, 2002 "Sen" Breaks All Records in Japan
News from Mainichi INTERACTIVE:
Toho announced that total box office of animation movie "SEN TO CHIHIRO NO KAMIKAKUSHI" was amounted to 29,900 million yen, and the total number of spectator of it reached 23,140,000 people as of March 25.
"SEN" passed the record of "Titanic", and got a new record in all movies shown in Japan. ("Titanic" record in Japan: spectators 16,830,000 people, box office 26,000 million yen)
Toho is going to show "SEN" till April in Japan.
Thanks to Akito T for posting the news to the MML.
March 18, 2002 "Whisper of the Heart" DVD Details
CDJapan posted the latest details on the DVD, access their page here or visit our "Whisper" Video page.
March 11, 2002 Joe Hisaishi Article/Review
The Tokidoki Entertainment Journal is featuring a Joe Hisaishi article / review.
Comprehensive Discography of Hisaishi's works.
Thanks to Pokey Possum for the link.
March 9, 2002 *CONFIRMED* "Spirited Away" at the San Francisco IFF
From the Castro Theater's latest calendar:
SATURDAY APRIL 20
[...]
SPIRITED AWAY
(SEN TO CHIHIRO NO KAMIKAKUSHI)
6:30. A fabulous ghost-infested adventure full of action, suspense and a swarm of unusual creatures and compelling human characters, Spirited Away is the pinnacle of imaginative animated fantasy by Japanimation master Hayao Miyazaki. The highest grossing film of all time in Japan. In Japanese with English subtitles. Japan (2001) 125m. North American Premiere
SUNDAY APRIL 21
SPIRITED AWAY
(SEN TO CHIHIRO NO KAMIKAKUSHI)
11:00 am. ...
Visit the official website.
Thanks to David Powers for the updated news.
March 9, 2002 "Sen" Wins Another Best Film Award
"Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" won the Japanese Academy Award for best film on March 8. This is the second "best film" award for Miyazaki, "Mononoke Hime" won in 1997.
Thanks to Oliver Coombes for posting the news to the MML.
March 8, 2002 See "Spirited Away" With English Subtitles (in Tokyo)
Hibiya Eiga Theater will show "Spirited Away" (to celebrate its "Golden Bear" win) starting on March 9. The last show of each day (starting at 7:10 pm) will be English subtitled. The theater will keep showing the film until April 6.
Hibiya Eiga is in front of the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo.
Schedule (in Japanese)
Thanks to Ryoko Toyama for posting the news to the MML. Thanks to Atsushi Fukumoto for the schedule link.
March 1, 2002 Disney Acquires "Spirited Away" Rights for North America
As reported by Marc Schilling in a ScreenDaily.com article:
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Walt Disney Co. has acquired North American rights to Hayao Miyazaki’s smash animated hit Spirited Away, which has broken all box office records in Japan. . .
Disney is moving quickly to get Spirited Away released, possibly as early as July. The studio has already engaged Pixar creative chief John Lasseter to serve as creative consultant on the dubbed version of Spirited Away, though no voice casting choices have yet been announced.
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More details as we find out. Thanks to Winston Jackson and David Mankins for the news.