2009-02-News

"Ponyo" Around the World

• Variety reports that Ponyo opens this year's Anima festival in Brussels (February 20 - 28).

• US editions of the Ponyo books are making their way to store catalogs. The "Art of" book, Picture Book, first two volumes of the Film Comics, and a collection of Miyazaki essays/interviews are scheduled for release on July 7. The final two volumes of the Film Comics are scheduled for August 4.

• Those waiting for a home video release of Ponyo can keep an eye on Amazon's Blu-ray listing. As the film hasn't received a theatrical release date unsurprising the page doesn't list one for the BD.

Thanks Daniel Zelter and Raz Greenberg for the news.

--LLin 16:57, 20 February 2009 (UTC)

"Totoro" House Burns Down

A house featured in Miyazaki's book about old homes in Tokyo suffered an arson fire. It was not the reproduction house from the film created a few years ago. Additional news from Anime News Network and Asahi.com (in Japanese).

Thanks to Daniel Zelter and Ken Fujiwara for the news.

--LLin 18:39, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

'Grave' Screening in Boston, Miyazaki Returns to Magazines

• Via Anime News Network comes word of a free screening of Grave of the Fireflies at the the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston followed by a guided discussion with anime experts John W. Dower and Frederik L. Schodt.

• Model Graphics announced that Miyazaki returns to the magazine with new a serialization titled "Kaze Tachinu" (The Wind Rises) to be released on February 25 and March 25. It will focus on Zero fighter designer Jiro Horikoshi.

Thanks to Daniel Zelter and T.Ishikawa for the news.

--LLin 06:11, 11 February 2009 (UTC)

Michiyo Yasuda Retires, Momose's Newest Work

Michiyo Yasuda, longtime Miyazaki collaborator and chief color designer for Studio Ghibli retired at the end of 2008. A farewell party for her was held on January 30 and Miyazaki presented her with a special apron.

According to the January 27 production diary, Yoshiyuki Momose (director of Ghiblies Episode 2) recently completed a music video for an unnamed singer.

Thanks to T. Ishikawa for the news.

--LLin 03:19, 3 February 2009 (UTC)