It was expected, yes, but hearing some confirmation is always a good thing.
Time Mag Confirms Disney’s U.S. Ponyo Plans for 2009
Miyazaki’s latest movie to be released in United States next year
A positive review of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, written by Time magazine’s Richard Corliss, confirms that Disney will release the movie in English next year. The specific plans for the release, including whether the film would be screened theatrically, are not yet public. Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park) reportedly will co-produce the American release.
Of the last two movies that Miyazaki directed, Howl’s Moving Castle took less than a year to make it to the United States for a theatrical run, and about a year and four months passed between its 2004 Japanese premiere and when the Disney DVD became available. Spirited Away opened in Japan in July 2001, and in the United States in September 2002, a year and two months later. The home video release took another seven months.
Last winter, I took some time away from watching some of the currently airing series and went back to watch and re-watch all of Miyazaki Hayao’s films from Castle Cagliostro to Howl’s Moving Castle. After going through most of them, I opted to also go back and watch all the other Studio Ghibli films chronologically (never did get to Pom Poko or Only Yesterday unfortunately). As anime fans it’s hard not to have seen at least one Ghibli film, but often times it seems like they get lost in the mix of newer series and current trends. To honest, prior to my Ghibli marathon, the last time I even thought about Studio Ghibli at length was when I bought Howl’s Moving Castle on DVD sometime in 2006, and before that in 2004 when I got around to buying Spirited Away. Really whether one think Studio Ghibli’s works (and Miyazaki’s in particular) are godly standards or complete crap is besides the point. It’s always nice to go back and watch some of them for whatever reason.
I am actually really excited about finally getting to see Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. I have been watching anime for nearly 10 years now, but it is probably the first time I have really cared about a Ghibli release. Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle were just passing thoughts, and probably the only reason I even looked were because Kiki’s Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke (two films I had seen) were mentioned along with them. These days I have quite a bit more appreciation for Studio Ghibli’s works and have really taken a liking to Joe Hisaishi’s music, so I have a lot to look forward to with Ponyo’s release (DVD and/or theatrical).
I can’t wait to see Ponyo on the Cliff next year. I love Miyazaki movies!!!!
Oh, I think I am even worse – I have a Ghibli collection box with a bunch of their movies, but for some reason, Only Yesterday is the last one that has been sitting there for years. ^^;; I’ve heard many times how great the film is though.
@Sasa: I’ve been meaning to buy Pomo Poko for the longest time, but just never got around to it. I have no excuses for Only Yesterday though. It’s been sitting on my external HD for months now.
Oh my, Pom Poko and Only Yesterday are the ones I have not seen! Apart from that, I think there is only the Lupin film missing in my list. I definitely should watch them too before Ponyo comes up. Especially since Miyazaki is going to take another break, I’m looking forward to Ponyo a lot.
i’m i’m very excited as well, i don’t think there is a gibli movie that i’ve seen that i didn’t like. Oh and you HAVE TO SEE Pom Poko, the Tanuki’s have testicles! I know it’s childish but seriously it had me giggling little a 5 year old during the entire movie…