Studio Ghiblihas one of the most celebrated catalogs in anime history. With suchiconic titles asMy Neighbor Totoro,Kiki’s Delivery Service,Spirited Away,Howl’s Moving Castle, and so many more under its belt, few studios can compare with the quality upheld in Ghibli’s work over the better part of the last four decades.
That time hasn’t come without its ups and downs, however. After the studio’s initial boom in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Ghibli went through its first semi-slump, releasing fantastic films like 1992’sPorco Rossoand1995’sWhisper of the Heart, but failing to reach the sort of highs it did in prior years.
Nevertheless, Ghibli pumped out new movies with consistency, and rose to the top once more in the early 2000s with another string of classics. These days, however, the studio no longer puts out new work quite as often, only recently returning in 2023 withThe Boy and the Heronafter seven years with no new film.And that shift can be traced back to one particular movie.
Studio Ghibli Is No Longer as Active as It Once Was
The Iconic Studio Has Seen More Time Pass Between Releases
Over the span of about 20 or so years, Studio Ghibli released a new feature film every other year, if not annually for short periods of time. Even if the studio failed to secure a new mega-hit, there would be a stream of fan-favorite films arriving on a consistent basis.
There are two such short stretches in which the studio wasn’t exactly able to reach the commercial success of their biggest titles. Following the release of 1989’sKiki’s Delivery Service, eight years passed before Ghibli would return withanother certified classic in 1997’sPrincess Mononoke.
From there, a string of massive hits includingSpirited AwayandHowl’s Moving Castledefined Ghibli’s early 2000s, before another low period arrived, which was momentarily broken up by 2008’sPonyo. For clarity, it isn’t that these stretches lacked quality releases. Some of the movies released during those times are regarded as Ghibli’s very best by many fans.
Rather, the films failed to achieve the commercial success of the studio’s other standouts. Nevertheless, Ghibli continued their consistent stream of releases thanks to the work of the often underappreciated Isao Takahata.
Having founded the studio alongside Hayao Miyazaki, Takahata went on to direct some ofGhibli’s most beloved works, and his eventual absence changed everything for the studio.
Ghibli Hasn’t Been the Same Since the Release of Takahata’s Last Movie
The Director’s Last Movie Marks a Shift In Studio Ghibli’s Production
While the Ghibli name has become synonymous with Hayao Miyazaki over the years, some of the studio’s most underrated and underappreciated work came from Isao Takahata. The harrowing 1988 account of World War II Japan inGrave of the Fireflieshas haunted generations of anime fans, while the heartfelt 1991 understated classicOnly Yesterdayis a favorite for countless fans.
Takahata was integral to the Studio Ghibli brand, and it was his final work that marked the shift into Ghibli producing fewer and fewer new movies as time went on.2013’sThe Tale of Princess Kaguyawas Takahata’s last directed work, and it eventually earned him a nomination at the 87th Academy Awards.
In the 12 years since it was released, Studio Ghibli has only produced three feature films. Isao Takahata passed away in 2018 at the age of 82, after a long career defined by his ability to bring joy to audiences of all ages, all around the world.
With the absence of Isao Takahata and retirement looming for Hayao Miyazaki, questions have begun to surface about Studio Ghibli’s future.
The Tale of Princess Kaguyaended an era in which Ghibli fed fans with new movies just about every other year, andthe future of the studio remains uncertain today.
Studio Ghibli’s Future Is Uncertain
40 Years On From Its Inception, Studio Ghibli Is at a Crossroads
With the absence of Isao Takahata andretirement looming for Hayao Miyazaki, questions have begun to surface about Studio Ghibli’s future. The last two in-house Ghibli full feature productions spearheaded by other directors were 2014’sWhen Marnie Was There, by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, and 2011’sFrom Up on Poppy Hill, by Miyazaki’s son Goro.
Yonebayashi has since worked with Studio Ponoc, which was formed by other ex-Ghibli employees, though he did return to work onThe Boy and the Heron. Goro Miyazaki directed the divisive TV filmEarwig and the Witchin 2020,which was generally not received well by fans.
Though Hayao Miyazaki is likely never to fully commit to retirement, the famed creator is 84 years old, and cannot be expected to continue working full steam ahead on new projects. Studio Ghibli appears somewhat directionless at the moment, and has for some time, dating back to Isao Takahata’sThe Tale of Princess Kaguya.
However, Studio Ghibli is one of the most iconic, instantly recognizable, and perhaps most importantly, profitable names in anime history, and it’s unlikely to fail regardless of how dire its situation becomes. On the other hand, the era of new Ghibli films coming every other year is seemingly long over, and all fans can do is wait patiently before finding out what comes next for the studio.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Cast
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is a Studio Ghibli animated film directed by Isao Takahata. Released in 2013, the story follows a mysterious young princess discovered inside a bamboo stalk by an elderly couple. As she grows into a beautiful woman, she captivates everyone while facing her destined path.
