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ghibli-collector · 6 months

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Another interesting article about the new Ghibli film Boy and the Heron with great insights into Miyazaki’s relationship with Joe Hisaishi and Toshio Suzuki making films over the years. Again it has a few spoilers

What’s it like to work with Hayao Miyazaki? Go behind the scenes.

News of Hayao Miyazaki’s retirement can’t ever be trusted.

The Japanese animation master’s repeated claims that he’ll give up filmmaking are a response to the strain that creating each of his largely hand-drawn universes entails. At least that’s what Toshio Suzuki, a founder of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki’s right-hand man for the past 40 years, believes.

"Every time he finishes a film, he’s so exhausted he can’t think about the next project,” Suzuki explains. "He’s used up his energy physically and mentally. He needs some time to clear his mind. And to have a blank canvas to come up with new ideas.”

A decade after 2013’s "The Wind Rises” was heralded as Miyazaki’s final film, the 82-year-old auteur’s newest feature, "The Boy and the Heron,” is being released in the United States after major success in Japan over the summer, where it opened without any traditional publicity.

Though the director hasn’t given any interviews about "The Boy and the Heron,” Suzuki, 75, who is also a veteran producer, and Joe Hisaishi, 72, the longtime composer on Miyazaki’s movies, describe in separate video interviews the master’s working process and how their collaborations have evolved — or not — over the years.

Suzuki is casually dressed and speaking, via an interpreter, from Japan, where he sits next to a pillow emblazoned with Totoro, the bearlike troll that serves as the studio’s logo. He says the new fantasy film is Miyazaki’s most personal yet. Set in the final days of World War II, the tale follows 11-year-old Mahito, who, after losing his mother in a fire, moves to the countryside, where a magical realm beckons him.

"At the start of this project, Miyazaki came to me and asked me, ‘This is going to be about my story, is that going to be OK?’ I just nodded,” Suzuki recalls with the matter-of-factness of someone who’s learned it would be futile to stand in the way of the director.

For a long time, he says, Miyazaki worried that if he made a movie about a young male, inspiration would inevitably be drawn from his own childhood, which he felt might not make for an interesting narrative. Growing up, Miyazaki had trouble communicating with people and expressed himself instead by drawing pictures.

"I noticed that with this film, where he portrayed himself as a protagonist, he included a lot of humorous moments in order to cover up that the boy, based on himself, is very sensitive and pessimistic,” Suzuki says. "That was interesting to see.”

If Miyazaki is the boy, Suzuki adds, then he himself is the heron, a mischievous flying entity in the story that pushes the young hero to keep going. Director Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli’s third foundational musketeer, who died in 2018, is represented onscreen by Granduncle, a wise but weathered figure who controls the fantastical world Mahito ventures into.

Suzuki first met Miyazaki in the late 1970s, when the animator was making his first feature, "Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro,” an amusing caper. Back then, Suzuki was a journalist hoping to interview him.

But Miyazaki, who was working on a storyboard, had no interest in talking and ignored him. "Out of kindness, I thought it was a good thing to introduce his works to my readers, and for him to be very cranky and disrespectful, I was very angry,” Suzuki remembers.

He stuck around the studio for two more days of silence. On the third, Miyazaki asked him if he knew a term for a car overtaking another during a chase. Suzuki’s reply, a specific Japanese expression for such action, finally broke the ice and kick-started their long-term relationship.

"Miyazaki still remembers that first meeting, too,” Suzuki says. "He thought that I was a person not to be trusted. And that’s why he was very cautious about talking to me.”

Over the years, Suzuki has become increasingly indispensable for Miyazaki. "He always tells me, ‘Suzuki-san, can you remember the important things for me?’ And then he feels that he can forget about all the important things not concerning his films. I have to remember them for him,” Suzuki says.

Best friends more than mere collaborators, Miyazaki and Suzuki talk every day, even if there’s nothing urgent to discuss, and make it a rule to meet in person on Mondays and Thursdays. "What we talk about is very trivial most times, I guess he feels lonely or misses me, but it’s always him who calls me. I never call him,” Suzuki says, adding with a laugh, "Sometimes he even calls me in the middle of the night, like at 3 a.m., and the first thing he says is, ‘Were you awake?’ And obviously I was not. I’m in bed!”

In contrast, Hisaishi, the composer who first worked with Miyazaki on the 1984 feature "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind,” has a strictly professional relationship with him.

"We don’t see each other in private,” Hisaishi, wearing an elegant sweater, says through a translator. "We don’t eat together. We don’t drink together. We only meet to discuss things for work.” That emotional distance, he adds, is what has made their partnership over 11 films so creatively fruitful.

"People think that if you really know a person’s full character then you can have a good working relationship, but that doesn’t necessarily hold true,” Hisaishi says. "What is most important to me is to compose music. The most important thing in life to Miyazaki is to draw pictures. We are both focused on those most important things in our lives.”

On "The Boy and the Heron,” Miyazaki didn’t provide Hisaishi with any instruction. The musician watched the film only when it was nearly completed but still with no sound or dialogue. At that point Miyazaki simply said to Hisaishi, "I just leave it up to you.”

"I feel he was just thinking that he could rely on me and expected me to come up with something,” Hisaishi says. "I feel like I was very much trusted to do this.”

For all of their previous collaborations, Miyazaki would bring on Hisaishi to discuss once three out of the four or five parts of the storyboard for a new film were ready. That the process changed this time was possible only because of their shared history.

"It’s as if we’ve been Olympic athletes making a film once every four years for 40 years,” Hisaishi says. "It’s been a long time of training and performing. When I look back I’m amazed that I could write music for these very different films.”

In his contemporary classical work, Hisaishi had been working on minimalist compositions with repeating patterns, and he took that approach to the new film.

While he maintains they are just colleagues, every January for the past 15 years, Hisaishi has composed a small tune, recorded it on a piano and sent it to Miyazaki as a birthday present. This tradition has now become the seasoned musician’s lucky charm.

"After about three times I thought, ‘This has probably run its course,’” Hisaishi recalls. "I didn’t send one the following year. That whole year I wasn’t able to work very well. It was sort of a jinx that I had not sent him something, so I started sending him the music again for his birthday,” he adds with a laugh.

Both Hisaishi and Suzuki say their interactions with Miyazaki have not changed much over the decades. On the contrary, the men have become staunch creatures of habit.

Asked why his profound connection with Miyazaki has endured so long, Suzuki says: "I don’t necessarily agree, but he once told me, ‘I’ve never met someone so similar to me. You are the last person that I will meet like that.’”

BY CARLOS AGUILAR

THE NEW YORK TIMES

#ghibli #studio ghibli #boy and the heron #hayao miyazaki #spirited away

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honey-milk-depresso · 2 years

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TWST Going to the Cinemas with them (1)

Ace Trappola

Ace doesn’t have a preference for movies, but would purposely pick a horror movie just so he would feel like your knight and shining armour.

An unrealistic expectation. “Heh, a horror movie? Sure why not? Just hold me tight when you get scared~” Ace teases as you rolled your eyes.

”Okay, Mr Trappola-“

The next moment later, Ace threw the popcorn right into your face when he jumped abruptly from his seat from the sudden jumpscare.

”OH SHIT-“

”ACE, WTF-“

You saw the redhead cowering in his seat, laughing sheepishly when he saw the cup of the popcorn rested on top of your head.

”Sorry…”

This idiot-

You cuddled with him when you both got back home though so all is fine <3

Deuce Spade

”Um… what do you wanna watch..?”

Deuce just roll with whatever you want to watch.

He does love thriller, adventure, maybe even slice-of-life genres, but he’s not a super fanatic.

What’s more important to him is that you enjoy it.

He just get super embarrassed if you want to see a romantic film.

He gets so red when the two characters kiss, and cries at all the emotional scenes-

Like-

“…”

*whimpers*

”…Deuce?”

“But Ramona, he loves you..!!!”

You had to hug him and pamper him with kisses to make him feel better, and reassure him that Ramona will get a good ending in the second movie- <3

Trey Clover

“I don’t mind. You can choose whatever you want to watch.” Trey smiles.

This bitch- I totally don’t wanna watch a romantic movie with him-

Trey, like Deuce, also don’t have much preference and would let you choose.

He’s more mature, he wouldn’t react to intimate scenes or jump scares in more exaggerated ways like Ace or Deuce would.

Trey would also be the type to sneak in his own food and drinks that he made into the cinema just to have a “unique experience” solely for the two of you.

Hey, the food can change a movie experience!

It’s just that he gets this sparkle in his eyes when you pick an animation movie, like Ghibli shows or something (or whatever is similar to Studio Ghibli in TWST-)

He loves a good quality animated movie, specifically 2D, and he may have a thing for some classic old films as well.

It just gives him nostalgia, the same warm and happy he feeling as if he’s watching this with his parents when he was a child, or with his younger siblings. Now, he’s watching it with you. <3

Cater Diamond

He would recommend the latest, trendy blockbuster, and he would actually research on some good movies so that the experience would be worthwhile.

Only turn off his phone a minute before the movie starts. Before that, he’ll be taking pictures of you and him in the dim cinema and just hashtag it, take some more, hashtag it, until someone gets annoyed by the flash, or the sound, or just him and you being all lovey dovey.

But he don’t care, WHAT THEY GONNA DO-

Cater doesn’t really have a strong preference for a specific genre, but he does enjoy some thriller.

Or even-

“S/O, HOW ABOUT THIS MUSICAL MOVIE???”

He’d do it for the songs, man-

Cater loves a good soundtrack in a movie, and sometimes he may get a little too caught up with the music.

If he sees you enjoying the movie soundtrack though, he’d might learn it just to sing for you. <3

Riddle Rosehearts

This would probably be the first time he’s ever watched a single movie, let alone sit in a cinema. Riddle is quite excited, and makes sure he prepares himself.

”We need popcorn and some drinks for watching a movie at the cinema is what I searched up.” Heck yeah, he gets to eat popcorn (although he was pretty sceptical at first), and sadly bought just mineral water since he didn’t trust the sugary sodas. At least you have bought something you like!

Riddle completely relies on your decision on what movie to watch together, but seeing him drawn towards slice-of-life movies let you decide him to watch it.

He’s drawn to the plot and the way the characters can sometimes remind him of himself or perhaps others. He does get a little embarrassed if the movie involves some touchy romance here and there,

but Riddle’s having a blast, because he gets to spend time with you in the theatres. <3

Azul Ashengrotto

The sea isn’t really a place where cinemas and movies are a common thing, usually because it’s harder to project film in water and that the quality of the movie would look a little flaky.

Azul experiencing a cinema on land is exciting for him, and he lives to watch as many as he can.

Eh… one at a time, dear-

>:///

“How about this movie, s/o? Or maybe this one? What do you think, Pearl?”

He let’s you decide, but he marvels at how fascinating 2D animated movies are. Perhaps even a Studio Ghibli equivalent.

Again, he finds it breathtaking with animations that just illustrates the movie so well, and that the plot is just beautifully portrayed in the movie. In such good quality!

He holds your hand during the movie as his eyes softens with content, telling you he wants to watch another one with you again. <3

Jade Leech

Just like Azul, he’ll let you pick the movie and get excited.

While Jade would let you choose, he’ll try to persuade you to watch a movie about wildlife if there is one airing. He would love to see some nature on screen!

Jade finds it relaxing; holding your hand while watching the calm scene of grassy mountains in the morning dew, the character looking at ease much like himself. Being with you in that scene let’s him close his eyes and imagine you’re there with him at the exact location, enjoying your time together.

He could just feel it.

Like Trey, he might sneak in a few snacks he made or bought from outside of the cinema, just a tad, and by a tad I mean how did he bring a whole bag of fishballs into the cinema??

Jade loves to watch another movie with you again, and he hopes you enjoy the experience he had with you. <3

Floyd Leech

Floyd is probably the most hype to watch a movie, especially with you.

He’s down for the popcorn and sodas, and Floyd, although having an affinity for sports related, thriller, action movies, he probably likes a lot more variety.

What Floyd really wants, though, are 3D movies. The one where you wear those blue and red glasses, that’s awesome!

He loves it when the movie is pop up to look as if it came right of the screen,

he’s thrilled, and he squeezes your hand when the scene gets more exciting.

”Hehehe~ look shrimpy! Isn’t that cool?”

If the seats move, that is such a good bonus.

He’s really into this, man-

But what he loves most is to see you smiling and enjoying yourself, because he loves to see you smile when you you’re with him. <3

Reblogs help! ^^

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letsbebabies · 4 months

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This is driving me absolutely nuts...what is the show you have on your laptop in your most recent picture? I feel like I should know this watching anime myself but I can't put my finger on it. Always looking for new ones to explore

Sorry we're a little late with this ask, I was watching spirited away! I love anime films, Studio Ghibli is just beautiful 🤗💖

#askletsbebabies 💌

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world-cinema-research · 29 days

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My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro), 1988

By Rachel Powers

When I was young, my parents would take us to Blockbuster every week to rent movies. My sister and I would scan the aisle of the children’s section to look for our next film adventure. One day in 1994, we came across a VHS case with cover art that drew us in completely, knowing nothing else about it. The movie was My Neighbor Totoro. Once we got home, loaded the movie into the VCR, and pressed play, we were transported into a magical world of nature, exploration, and adorable creatures. My imagination was sparked, and I wanted to crawl through the screen and explore this new world myself. I wanted to walk through their Japanese home, which looked so different from my suburban American house. I remember trying to figure out the layout of the house, and wishing that I lived somewhere with sliding doors, a giant bathtub, and an endless yard. I imagined running through the tunnel in the bushes and sliding down the tree into Totoro’s den. Something different about this movie was its lack of a villain, unlike the Disney movies we were accustomed to watching at the time. The film focused on the bond between two sisters as they moved into a new house in the countryside, discovering the magic of their new surroundings. My sister and I were very close at this time, and we each identified with the characters in the film. As the oldest child, I was more like Satsuki – responsibly looking after my younger sister, and even scolding or making fun of her at times. My younger sister was so much like Mei. She always tagged along with me and was very stubborn and determined to keep up. Through seeing ourselves in this film, I believed that it had a much greater impact on us than other movies we had seen at the time.

Tonari no Totoro original Japanese poster, 1988. Source: posteritati.com

My Neighbor Totoro VHS Cover, English-language dub, 1994. Source: fandom.com

Originally started as a picture book story, Miyazaki set out to create something different with My Neighbor Totoro. As a story without heroes or superpowers, taking place in an “ordinary” landscape, it took 15 years from idea creation to filming. Miyazaki wanted to portray the beauty of the Japanese landscape that he grew up in, taking place during a time when children played outside and were not consumed with technology or television. Through these techniques, Miyazaki was able to appeal to children’s imaginations, highlighting the magic in the everyday nature around them.

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“It was like sending a message to myself as a kid, that Japan is a beautiful country… I wanted the movie to reflect what I saw as a kid. In other words, the village in the movie was how a city kid would view a village.” -Miyazaki on Creating Totoro, youtube.com

My Neighbor Totoro was originally released as Tonari no Totoro in Japan in 1988. It was released simultaneously with Grave of the Fireflies, another Studio Ghibli film, as a double feature. Journalist Rayan Sayyed writes that this double feature release was a precursor to the marketing techniques of “Barbenheimer.”

The double feature release undoubtedly increased sales for both movies, especially because of the different tone between them. While My Neighbor Totoro is whimsical and lighthearted, Grave of the Fireflies is “a harrowing and heartbreaking film about two children who survive the firebombing of Japan during World War II.”

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The English-language dub version of My Neighbor Totoro was released in U.S. theaters in 1993. Executives of the English dub version had planned to change the name of Totoro to a more American sounding name, but Miyazaki disagreed with this tactic and ensured that the name Totoro remained. Miyazaki reportedly said, “I could not name him Craig… because I would not want to be named Craig.”

Meanwhile in 1993 United States, Bill Clinton became the 42nd President of the United States. Will Smith even hosted the Presidential Inaugural Celebration For Youth, which aired on The Disney Channel. Youth culture was growing in America, with an increasing prevalence of marketing towards kids, including the Presidential Inauguration.

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My Neighbor Totoro has seen most of its success internationally. 92.7% of sales were from the international market, with only 7.3% domestically. With a budget estimated at $3.7 million, it has been a worldwide success, bringing in $30,695,952 worldwide. Through this success, My Neighbor Totoro paved the way for later Studio Ghibli films such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, and The Boy and the Heron.

When this film was released in the United States, it had mixed reviews. Many critics compared it to Disney.

“Displaying no more than adequate television technical craft, the simple family saga poses no threat to the commercial dominance of Disney cartoonists.” - Leonard Klady, Variety (2013)

As time went on, more and more critics began to praise Miyazaki.

“Despite the cuteness, there's little in the way of icky sentiment – indeed the spectre of death hangs over the story – but it's a captivating world you won't want to come home from.” -Steve Rose, The Guardian (2013)

Rotten Tomatoes currently gives My Neighbor Totoro a 93% rating, while IMDB rates it an 8.1 out of 10.

In my opinion, this film is a mix between both conventional and unconventional. It is conventional in its simplicity, as it is easy to understand and does not challenge or alienate the viewer. It is unconventional in its relatively small budget, as Studio Ghibli was a new and much smaller company at the time. The main characters do not have a goal, they are simply existing and wandering through their world. The style of the film is very noticeable, although familiar to other animated movies, many of the elements of animation are very distinct. The focus on nature, expressions, mannerisms, and other small details is apparent.

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The clip "Mei Meets Totoro" shows how Miyazaki focused on small details to express the characters' sentiment. Mei's curiosity is clearly shown through her mannerisms, poking Totoro's tail and running in place with excitement. She crawls up onto his chest and tickles his nose. Totoro's whiskers move and he licks his lips, and sneezes Mei off of him. As Totoro slowly wakes up and tells Mei his name, loudly, his fur sways in the wind with the power of his voice.

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The iconic "cat bus" is one of the most memorable scenes of this film. It is incredibly unique, and a concept that I don't think anyone else in the world could come up with. Once Totoro boards, the cat bus takes off at top speed. The wind blows strongly in response, suggesting that the bus is the source of all wind - whether it can be seen by humans or not.

After watching this film and researching its history as an adult, I am not surprised by how captivated I was as a child. The focus on nature was appealing to me both then and now. The detailed and artistic style sets My Neighbor Totoro apart from other animated films. The world of Totoro does not feel as vast as it did when I was a child, perhaps because I have lost much of my childhood imagination over the years. Still, the nostalgia that I feel in rewatching this film is able to reconnect my adult self with the fragments of childlike wonder that still exists inside of me.

#Youtube

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ystk-archive · 7 months

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[Translation] L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer interview (BARFOUT! magazine vol. 122, Oct. 2005)

(Yes, there's really a long-running arts and culture magazine in Japan called Barfout. Click here to view full-page scans of the feature, and feel free to contact me with any questions/comments.)

What surprising developments took place on capsule's new album!?

I'm crazy about capsule's newest album, L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer. It includes "Flying City Plan" [Soratobu Toshikeikaku] — featured in a collaborative music video created by Ghibli subsidiary Studio Kajino and directed by Momose Yoshiyuki — for a total of ten songs (perhaps I should mention that video is on the same level as many sci-fi films!). capsule is a creative unit made up of Nakata Yasutaka (producer) and Koshijima Toshiko (vocalist). The two have been entertaining listeners with their extremely poppy releases that'll take you on a virtual joyride through a world of music inspired by interior design and mass-produced goods. That said, I was taken aback by the song "Glider"! Even with their cool, plastic charm, capsule launched a dramatic pop track with a melody that tugs at the heartstrings the minute it begins. If I had to compare it to works by other artists, it's got a similar feeling to Quruli's "Wandervogel" and Supercar's "YUMEGIWA LAST BOY." Geez, I've really been wearing this song out! (At this point, "Glider" is going at #1 on my top ten favorites of 2005!) Including a club-oriented track with an enjoyable guitar sound, capsule's new album is filled to the brim with groundbreaking songs that overflow with human emotion. It'll definitely add a certain je ne sais quoi to your own space!!!

Original interview text by Fukushima Ryutaro, translation by ystk-archive

"From outerspace to the ocean, I wanted it to have a sense of vastness" (Nakata)

barf: How in the world did you arrive at something like L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer? Nakata: All the tracks on this album definitely make me go "hey, I can make good songs too!" (laughs). barf: The jacket photo is a picture of grass. Nakata: It's fake. The clothes we wear in the "Glider" video are also made out of that. I'm not much of a nature enthusiast, but in Japan we sure do have a lot of state-manufactured parks, don't we? The album cover's aura is sort of like that, how it's natural but somehow artificial at the same time. barf: The first track, "Flying City Plan," was used as the basis of a short film, following the examples set by "Portable Airport" [Portable Kuukou] and "space station No.9." They're even screening it before the movie Touch. Nakata: The first short "Portable Airport" showcases a fantasy town in capsule's type of aesthetic. After that was the resort concept for "space station No.9." So for this third one, we aimed for it to be more visually spacious and panoramic. From outerspace to the ocean, I wanted it to have a sense of vastness, so that's why I went with "Flying City Plan" for the music. barf: It has a majestic feel. Nakata: I tried to give it an easygoing sort of speed. When you're flying in an airplane, you can't feel the wind, but you know it's going by extremely fast outside. So the music follows along those lines, with a relaxed pace, kind of giving off an executive's suite type of vibe. And they retired the Concorde planes, so... (laughs) barf: Did you have any thoughts on the video, Koshijima-san? Koshijima: It's dramatic. She's a damsel in distress (laughs). barf: The second track "Teleportation" sounds so much like capsule's usual while simultaneously feeling quite new. Nakata: That's because, in a rare move, I played the guitar. I've used it before but only for riffs and whatnot, this time I played it more messily. barf: Speaking of guitars, the third track "Lounge Designers Killer" is rather rock-influenced. Nakata: To be totally honest, I was given a guitar. So I was just thinking like, "What if I use guitar sounds for this album?" There wasn't a deep reason behind it (laughs). barf: What kind of guitar did you get? Nakata: The one I used in the music video.¹ After we finished the shoot for "Glider," I added guitars to the song (laughs). Originally I thought it'd be interesting that the video was going to show a guitar being played with no guitars in the music, but since we went through the trouble of getting it, I threw some in the song after the fact. barf: That would've been a bizarre visual element (laughs). I get the sense that capsule is strongly influenced by cool instruments. Nakata: I really like changes of scenery and instruments. With bands, new ideas are sparked by the members interacting with each other, right? I pull my inspirations from instruments and checking out stores I haven't been to before.

"capsule does things without focusing on whether or not it's 'too late' to do them." (Nakata)

barf: "Glider" really comes to life as the seventh track following the science fiction-esque "Antenna." Nakata: I tried to make the transition sound unnatural. There used to be a sense of flow even though songs weren't actually connected to each other, but nowadays there's a high possibility that people will import albums into a computer and listen to everything out of order anyway. I wanted to put something there that would make the listener go "huh?" when the song changed over. "Antenna" starts and ends abruptly: the intro begins and cuts off halfway through, giving the impression that it's broken; it's the same type of weird feeling you get when the TV channel suddenly changes. So I put that in there to make the connection between the songs worse, not better (laughs). barf: "Glider" stands out strongly. Koshijima-san, how was it singing this song? Koshijima: Honestly, my voice was in really bad shape during recording and it was at its worst when we got around to "Glider" — it wouldn't come out at all. But when I got to listen to the song in the studio, I was struck by how long it's been since I heard something so good, and because of that my voice somehow managed to power through (laughs). barf: The title of "Progress and Harmony for Mankind" [Jinrui no Shinpo to Chouwa] feels a bit out of place, doesn't it (laughs). Nakata: It's from the 1970 Osaka Expo. barf: Really!! I didn't make the connection. Nakata: It's so like us to not use the theme from this year's Expo (laughs).² The Osaka Expo happened during a time when people really valued science. They thought like "with science, anything is possible!" Along with the ecological issues, I think the idea of creating another earth is fascinating (laughs). barf: With the kind of rhythm it has, the song's got a cool spacy feel to it. Nakata: That track is close to the type of music that pushed me into doing music. I felt like how I did in junior high, making songs like this when I started recording at home. Koshijima: You definitely did material like this when we first met. It was pretty heavy (laughs). Nakata: That's why when I listen to recent releases, I feel like I've gone back in time. These days, a lot of the songs I hear that people say are "good" are nostalgic. Bands have started making house and electro-ish music with '80s sounds and I wind up thinking, "Can they really do that?" barf: It has gotten like that. Nakata: capsule does things without focusing on whether or not it's "too late" to do them. It's not that I'm bitter about it though; that's just what happens when you do what you enjoy. barf: But if that's how you naturally go about about things, then it's okay. Nakata: It's not a recent phenomenon, but I do think people who create things feel confined. If they do this genre, then they have to use certain sounds — they have so-called rules like that. I make music thinking it'd be nice to ignore those rules.

¹ Nakata owns a Yamaha RGX A2 which he "played" in the Glider music video. I think. I was told that it was actually a different guitar but I guess not! ² 2005 was the Aichi Expo with the theme of "Nature's Wisdom." He's saying this in reference to his disinterest in nature.

#koshijima toshiko #nakata yasutaka #capsule #L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer #Glider #BARFOUT!#2005 #studio ghibli #studio kajino #translations #magazines #interviews

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angfdzfilm · 1 year

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Today I have some clips from The Wind Rises, a studio Ghibli film directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

I really love the sound design and animation in this scene, it is so distinctly terrifying... It honestly kind of reminds me of the sound design in Akira, those musical exhales. I also feel like it’s stylistically consistent with other ghibli films, the slight exaggeration of reality in both sound & picture.

Also, if you’ve ever been in an earthquake, this scene is visceral. The chaos & confusion, the larger than life fear... the earth literally moving, aching and groaning beneath your feet. There’s nothing else like it.

#the wind rises #if any film buffs see this I'd appreciate a reblog #i just like sharing film clips & little thoughts #hayao miyazaki #animation #film #ghibli studio #ghibli studios #ghibli #ghibli films

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vengefulvermin · 4 months

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introduction

hello! my name is Salem, i'm a fan artist! i'm kinda new to tumblr and have been here (as in having an account) for 1 year now, and i hope i have fun while i last here! ^_^

i love reblogging things!!

on this blog you'll find things from these fandoms (in no order):

David Bowie

Labyrinth

(some) Classic Disney

Ride The Cyclone

MLP:FIM

Scott Pilgrim franchise

Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Beatles

Studio Ghibli films

Little Shop of Horrors

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

The Phantom Of The Opera

probably more i forgot to list

check #salemdraws tag for my art!

second blog : @throughdangersuntold831

racists, sexists, anti-lgbtq+, terfs, islamophobes/antisemites/religion haters, right-wing blogs + Israel/in general war supporters pls DNI (coming from someone who is and is surrounded by people effected by them)

hate is never the way!!

DMs are open to moots!!

more about me:

i like to draw (obviously) and i also enjoy writing amateur, generally platonic, fan fiction that i'll probably never release. i'm a goth and that might not seem apparent from what music i typically reblog LOL

if it isn't already apparent i am neurodivergent and as of writing this Labyrinth and David Bowie are my now year-long hyperfixations. i love older films. i have social anxiety so i may struggle responding to random DMs, but i love my mutuals and appreciate you all.

i hope you enjoy my stuff!!

❤️❤️

#intro post #intro pin

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leheckajiri · 24 days

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If you follow me, it's probably tennis-related since that's the only thing I've posted about for three months straight at this point...however. I'm also an artist and I actually started this blog with the more express intent of sharing my work a bit! I've just finished this painting which I'm quite proud of, so here's some trivia about it:

It's of course based on the 1997 film Princess Mononoke, one of my favorites from Studio Ghibli.

The (poorly-rendered text) around the border reads "Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret", which means "you may drive nature out with a pitchfork, but she will keep coming back".

I like my paintings to have some compositional and symbolic similarities with eras of art (usually Renaissance, Mannerist, and pre-Raphaelite). Not sure it always comes through, but that was the intent with the border and little icons from the film.

The gun along the bottom of the piece is modeled from the actual gun in the film; apparently it is an "XIV-XV Century Breech-Loading Handgonne Arquebus", according to this very helpful page I found when searching for what type of firearm it was. Thankfully I know nothing of guns...

It's oil on canvas! I sanded the canvas, drew the initial sketch with a colored pencil, and did a diluted acrylic wash for the areas I wanted more depth of color on. (This post will not have any traction at all, I'm sure, but if anyone wants some process pictures, I maaaay post some)

OKAY anyways...It's a little embarrassing to put a watermark on my own art but I do not like reposts or that "credit to the artist!!" bs. Sorry to my handful of tennis mutuals who follow me for yapping about that redhead and got this instead pls like and subscribe & reblog & comment and all that

#not tennis #art #artists on tumblr #studio ghibli #princess mononoke #mononokehime #oil painting #mononoke hime #traditional art #my art #yes im clogging this post with tags i want one (1) other person to see it #ghibli #ghibli films #ghibli movie

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twistedtummies2 · 10 months

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Top 15 Fictional Trains

In the words of a random bit of silliness courtesy from the Internet, “I like trains.”

(SLAM-HONK-SPLAT.)

…If you got that reference…yay. XD

But seriously: ever since I was a boy, I’ve always had a fascination with the railway. From real-life trains and railways of great repute, to various fictional railroads and their engines found in books, video games, movies, and more. I’m not the only one: the railroad has always held an enduring sense of intrigue for all sorts of people all over the world. Something about these great Iron Horses, racing along the tracks, seeming to fly across the landscape with such grace and speed, remains iconic. From steam locomotives to more modern diesel engines and electric trains, the sense of power, speed, and the symbolization of ever-moving progress they embody will forever be indelible. Whether you’re fascinated by the real history and technical aspects of railways and their engines, or just see them as a fun visual motif, they aren’t going away.

I thought it would be fun to talk about some of my favorite fictional trains and engines, because…well…I just want to. Yeah, I’m not tying this one into anything, there’s no special occasion, I just…want to talk about them. Is that so wrong? I hope not. Now, this will be specifically dedicated to FICTIONAL trains, so you won’t be seeing real railway constructs on this list. And, of course, I have to know about the trains in question in order for them to count. (SPOILER ALERT: “Infinity Train” is nowhere on this list. I’ve never seen it, probably never will, and basically don’t know anything about it.) With that said, let’s get on with it! Full Steam Ahead! These are My Top 15 Favorite Fictional Trains.

15. The Rainbow Sun, from Shining Time Station/Thomas & the Magic Railroad.

It is pure nostalgia, above all else, that gets this train onto the list. The Rainbow Sun was the main engine piloted by Billy Twofeathers: chief engineer of the Indian Valley Railroad. This was the railway line serviced by the titular depot in “Shining Time Station.” The show, of course, was a showcase for the animated series “Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends,” during the 1990s; Shining Time and all of its characters acted as a framing device, with episodes of Thomas (usually connected in some way to the central plot) interspersed into the story. In the original TV series, the Rainbow Sun was portrayed by the Union Pacific 844. When the film “Thomas and the Magic Railroad” - which combined elements of Shining Time Station with Thomas & Friends - was made, all of the scenes at Shining Time were shot on the Strasburg Railroad. Strasburg’s 475 stood in for the Rainbow Sun. (That’s the version pictured here, since my guess is more people will recognize the movie than the TV show version.) There’s really not much to say about the Rainbow Sun, I just…like this train. Both versions. Both the movie and the show were a part of my childhood; this train, in each incarnation, is much the same.

14. The Sea Railway, from Spirited Away.

“Spirited Away” is widely considered one of the finest animated fantasy films ever made. Released by the world-renowned Studio Ghibli, this picture - like many of Ghibli’s greatest works - was the brainchild of the mighty Hayao Miyazaki, and is known for its sense of surreal, bizarre, at times nightmarish visuals and scenarios, as well as its fun and fascinating cast of crazy characters. One of the less bonkers elements of the film, yet also one of the most memorable, is the Sea Railway: while the scene where this train appears is brief, it is nevertheless very fondly recalled. In the scene, the main character - Sen - travels with her newfound friend, the mysterious No Face, to find the enchantress named Zeniba. The pair hop aboard the Sea Railway: a double diesel rail car that runs on tracks across the ocean. This is a scene all about visuals, that is both spectacular and yet shockingly peaceful. No dialogue, just the emotions of the music and the animation, as the strange railcar glides across the sea. Like several other trains on this list, its time in the film is short, but the moment is immortal.

13. The Ghost Train, from Casper: A Spirited Beginning.

This is a pretty “bleh” movie, in my opinion. A prequel to the 1995 film “Casper” (based on the comic and cartoon character of Casper the Friendly Ghost), this film tells the origins of the titular character. (They are nowhere near as interesting and exciting as they probably should be.) However, I’ve always had a soft spot for one particular part of the movie: the opening sequence. Why? Well, the movie starts off actually quite promising, with the ghostly Casper - freshly dead (how pleasant) - waking up on the Ghost Train. There have been many kinds of ghost trains in fiction over the years; in this case, it’s a railroad which transports souls to the afterlife. The Train is pure nightmare fuel of the best kind: a battered old steam train, carrying a heavy rake of carriages, with a crimson skull for a smokebox, its glowing eyes acting as the headlamps. Damned souls spew from its funnel in lieu of steam, skeletal limbs act as its coupling rods, and inside its chattering mandibles are a horde of black cats. The furniture inside the coaches is made from bones, only adding to its macabre sense of style. While it’s only onscreen for a few minutes (the opening, plus a couple of scenes later), this Ghost Train nevertheless made a big impression on me as a kid, and it was by far the best part of the film…which gives you a good idea of how bad the movie is, sadly. Still, points where points are due: this train is still pretty epic to this day.

12. The Time Train, from Back to the Future: Part III.

What’s cooler than a DeLorean? The answer is…well…probably the TARDIS, if anything, BUT BESIDES THAT I’d say a flying, time-traveling steam locomotive definitely deserves some credit! In the climax of the third and final pillar of the “Back to the Future” Trilogy, our heroes engage in a daring chase scene involving a runaway steam train. At the end of the film, Doc Brown reappears before Marty McFly, and reveals he’s “recycled” the busted engine to create a time traveling train, colloquially and appropriately called the Time Train by most fans. (It’s also sometimes referred to as the Jules Verne Train, but I’ve always liked Time Train more: it’s catchier and simpler.) While I love the look of the Time Train, once again, it’s not onscreen for very long, and doesn’t honestly do THAT much in the grand scheme of things. It’s not even clear, despite what I’ve said, if this is the same engine as the one from earlier in the film, or just a very similar one, since the aforementioned steam train did sort of…well…friggin’ EXPLODE. Regardless, it’s a memorable engine, and has long been a fan favorite. Definitely worthy of placement in the Top 12.

11. The Soviet Missile Train, from Goldeneye.

One of the few non-steam engines to be mentioned on this countdown, this diesel engine is also one of the most sinister creations on the list. This armored passenger train is interesting in that it actually doubles a mobile secret headquarters: in the James Bond film “Goldeneye,” the main villain, Alec Trevelyan (a.k.a. Janus), rides around in this battering-ram-on-wheels with his henchman. The train is based on real-life armored trains owned by the Soviet Union, but has been exaggerated to give it a more outright evil, almost futuristic sort of look, with a sharpened nose and colored all in black, with blood red Soviet Stars on the sides. The train is destroyed when Bond first derails it with a tank (because of course he does, he’s James-flipping-Bond), and Trevelyan - forced to abandon his mobile HQ - blows up what remains in attempt to destroy his nemesis. The Missile Train made a memorable appearance in the Nintendo 64 video game adaptation of the film, where the players - as Bond - would have to make their way inside and around the train to take out Trevelyan’s goons and save our resident Bond Girl for the evening, Natalya Simova. Whether you love it best for the movie or the game, this big black beast is definitely one of the fiercest things to ever ride the rails.

10. The Wanderer, from Wild Wild West.

Much like the previous entry on the list, this steam engine proves that if there’s one thing cooler than a spy car, it’s a spy train. “Wild Wild West” was a TV series that was a sort of off-kilter combination of the spy film and Western genres. The plot focused on a pair of clever cowboys - Jim West and Artemus Gordon - who worked for a special branch of the U.S. Secret Service. They rode around the country, stopping crimes and committing acts of espionage against evil masterminds. To accomplish this, the pair traveled via a luxurious private passenger train called the Wanderer. In the series, the Wanderer was largely portrayed via stock footage of Inyo, an engine that, at the time, served the Baltimore Locomotive Works. The Train was basically just a mobile headquarters for the duo; it didn’t exactly do much, but it allowed for an interesting“Home Base” location to see in every episode, and it helped make the series a bit more unique. In the later 1999 movie version, starring Will Smith as Jim West (that’s the one pictured here, for the same reasons as the previously discussed Rainbow Sun), the famous engine the William Mason was used to portray the Wanderer. While the film is basically a giant mess, I’ve actually always had a sort of soft spot for it; it’s a guilty pleasure, to say the least. Part of what I liked was the way the movie “suped up” the Wanderer: not only was the train an HQ-on-wheels for the spy-fighting duo, but now it was basically the equivalent of having a Bond Car riding the rails, with all kinds of gadgets and secrets hidden in the engine and its coaches. Even if you don’t like the movie (trust me, you aren’t alone there), or never saw the series, I defy you to say the Wanderer isn’t pretty cool.

9. The Infernal Train, from Alice: Madness Returns.

Not all trains are colorful, whimsical, and fun to ride. Perhaps no fictional train in history has been quite as forbidding as the Infernal Train from “Alice: Madness Returns,” the sequel to the cult classic video game “American McGee’s Alice.” For those who don’t know, the games focus on a grown-up Alice having to traverse through a twisted, warped, morbid reimagining of Wonderland; shaped by her own trauma and insanity into a chaotic nightmare world. At the end of the first game, however, Alice is able to conquer her fears and problems, and seemingly goes off onto a happy ending…but in the second game, we soon learn it wasn’t that easy. When Alice returns to Wonderland, it at first seems to be back to how it should be, but it quickly becomes clear that new threats and new problems are once again causing it to steadily fall into a state of hellish doom. The centerpiece of all this horror is the Infernal Train: a massive locomotive, seemingly built from a Gothic cathedral, which soars through the skies of Wonderland, spreading a tar-like substance called Ruin wherever it goes, destroying everything in its path. Alice’s mission is to find out who is responsible for the Infernal Train, and stop it in its tracks before it completely obliterates Wonderland forever. The Train is almost a character in and of itself in the game; a force of nature, the presence of which is a constant source of dread. It’s one of the most sinister locomotives ever created, and memorably so. It has well-earned its place in my personal Top 10.

8. Casey Junior, from Dumbo.

Whenever I think of the phrase “Circus Train,” the first thing I think of is this whimsical train from the classic Disney movie, “Dumbo.” The whole movie focuses on the adventures of the titular character - a baby elephant with abnormally large ears - during his stay at a fictional circus. The circus travels from city to city, town to town, via the Casey Junior Circus Train, so called after its lead locomotive, Casey Junior. (The name is a reference to the famous engineer, Casey Jones, who would appear in his own animated Disney cartoon…but that’s another story.) Casey is the first train on this list who isn’t just a vehicle, but actually a real CHARACTER, with his own sentience and intelligence. He speaks in a voice that is made to mimic the puffing of steam, and seems to be a hardworking, determined, slightly child-like little engine. And, given the broad smile painted on his smokebox, we can presume he very much enjoys his work. Casey Junior has reappeared several times in the Disney canon since the release of Dumbo. Most notably, a non-sentient rendition of him appears in Tim Burton’s live-action remake of the original film, and there’s also a kids’ ride at Disneyland called the Casey Junior Circus Train. There’s also a water attraction at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World called the Casey Junior Splash and Soak Station. No matter where he shows up, this chipper Circus Train is as confident as he is colorful.

7. Tootle.

So far, all of the trains we’ve talked about have come from screen treatments: movies, TV, and video games. This is our first engine on the list who originates from a book. “Tootle” is one of many titles in the classic Little Golden Books collection of stories, and focuses on its titular character: a rather silly steam train by the name of Tootle. Young Tootle is a brand new locomotive, still a child, who goes to the town of Lower Trainswitch, “where all the baby locomotives go to learn to become big locomotives.” Tootle wants to grow up to become a Flyer engine, a fast express train, so he studies very hard…but there’s one important lesson he has trouble with: “Stay on the Rails, No Matter What.” Tootle is a curious little engine, and he starts leaving the tracks to play in the meadow and explore off the rails. With help from his teacher, an old engineer named Bill, Tootle learns that, while there’s nothing necessarily wrong with dreaming, shirking one’s responsibilities and ignoring safety is never wise. It’s interesting to see stories like “Tootle,” which effectively teach children, “know your place.” At first, that probably sounds overly authoritarian and ill-advised, but in truth, sometimes it’s genuinely important to know one’s boundaries and limits: we all have dreams and desires we wish we could fulfill, but it’s important to know which dreams and desires are worth chasing, and which ones could just lead to trouble. The book is one of the most popular in the Little Golden Books series; in fact, in 2001, it was named the third best-selling English children’s book of all time! The story has been adapted to a PC game, a children’s audiobook, and more. The character of Tootle himself also appeared in the animated series “Little Golden Book Land,” inspired by the entire collection. I read a lot of these books as a kid, and “Tootle” was always my favorite. He and his tale are definitely worth placement in the Top 10.

6. Chugs, from The Easter Bunny is Comin’ to Town.

This somewhat obscure Rankin/Bass special is a follow-up/sequel to their more popular Christmas TV tale, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” Just as that holiday special told the origins of Santa Clause, this one tells the origins of the Easter Bunny. Part of these origins is explaining how the Easter Bunny gets around the world. Cue this little fellow: Chugs, a talking train whom the Easter Bunny - named Sunny - saves from possible scrap. Chugs is a little old engine whom no one ever uses, so Sunny buys him, cleans him up till he’s shiny and new again, and paints him in springtime colors. Chugs is thus given the job of piloting the little white rabbit and his train of Easter eggs, jellybeans, and other gifts for children all around the land. He also brings mail to the Easter Bunny’s home. (Because…well…we had to justify Fred Astaire returning as a singing mailman SOMEHOW, didn’t we?) I am convinced the reason anybody remembers this special at all is ENTIRELY because of this stop-motion animated locomotive. He’s certainly a big part of why I remember the movie; as a kid, I used to wish I could have a toy train of Chugs, so obviously, he’s got a soft spot deep in my heart. Oh, one other thing: Chugs is referred to as ��the Famous Little Engine Who Could” in the story, which…I guess means this film technically also counts as an adaptation of that. Go figure. Speaking of which…

5. The Little Engine That Could.

This classic children’s book is actually based on an old folk story, which has been passed down through the generations. The railway folktale has changed over the years, but it’s the storybook publication written by Arnold Munk (published under the pen name “Watty Piper”) that has become the most well-known. In this version of the story, a train full of sentient toys and treats (I guess they must be riding through Toyland) breaks down on its way to bring its cargo to a town full of good little children on the other side of a tall mountain. The toys try to get various other trains to stop and help, but all of them refuse, either being too tired or too stuck-up. Just when all hope seems lost, a Little Blue Engine arrives, and she promises to get the train of toys and goodies to the town. All the way on the journey, the Little Blue Engine repeats a simple mantra: “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” Finally, her determination proves true, and the Little Blue Engine succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain. It’s a simple little story, which teaches a simple little message, but that’s really all it needs to be. The tale has been referenced, paid homage, and adapted numerous times: Chugs, of course, is inspired by the folktale, and even Casey Junior references it in a scene from Dumbo. My personal favorite adaptation is an animated short film made in the 1990s, which expanded on the story as written by Watty Piper, and featured voicework by many veteran performers; Kath Soucie plays the Little Blue Engine, and Megatron and Optimus Prime themselves - Frank Welker and Peter Cullen - also play characters in the story, just to name a few. Another adaptation of the Piper version was made in 2011, inspired by the 1990s short subject; that one featured talents like Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Warburton, and Jamie Lee Curtis, again, just to name a few. No matter which take on the children’s story you look at, its simplicity is as immortal as the tale itself. I think one can say this Little Engine has many more mountains to cross before its story is truly finished.

4. The Rainbow Line, from Ressha Sentai ToQger.

“Hold on a second!” I hear you all cry. “That’s not a train! That’s a freaking robot!” Well, you’re right, and you’re wrong. It is, in fact, a giant mech made out of magical trains. Yes, you read that correctly. No, I am not drunk. Perhaps I should start from the beginning: “Ressha Sentai ToQger” is my personal favorite entry in the Super Sentai franchise. This series is basically the original version of Power Rangers: that show is essentially made, for those who don’t know, by Americanizing the Super Sentai shows in Japan. While both use some of the same footage and costumes, and follow the same basic plot points of colorful heroes fighting rubber suited monsters and using giant mechs for each final battle, the stories and characters are often very different. “ToQger” is one of the few Sentai series that hasn’t really been adapted into Power Rangers (at least not yet), and I rather hope it stays that way. In this one, the visual motif is - you guessed it - trains, with the Rangers using magical trains as their transportation system, as well as the means through which they battle the monsters when “giant mech time” happens. I don’t know what possessed Japan to make “Thomas the Tank Engine: Power Rangers Edition,” but I’m very glad it happened, because this show is amazing. The trains of the Rainbow Line - the good faction of the series (the villains are called The Shadow Line, and they have their own transforming locomotives to do battle with) - are all unique and colorful, and it’s honestly pretty cool to see how they all come together to from the massive machines the Rangers use in combat. There’s a toylike quality to all of the engines (which I think is intentional, given the themes of this series), and I would sincerely LOVE to have real toys of each and every one of them. If a fleet of locomotives that can turn into a sword-wielding, laser-blasting battle mech DOESN’T sound equal parts crazy and cool to you…I would like to know what does.

3. The Polar Express.

The top three choices on this list all have the same things in common: all of them started as trains in books, primarily aimed at children, but have since become massively popular largely due to the adaptations of said works. The first of these is the titular train from the classic Christmas story, “The Polar Express.” Originally appearing in a book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, the story arguably achieved critical mass when it was adapted into the still-very-popular 2004 animated film. The movie was directed by Robert Zemeckis, and starred Tom Hanks in multiple roles. Both are still considered staples of the Yuletide season. Both the film and the book have the same premise: the main character is a Boy who is whisked away by the titular magic train, which transports a group of children to the North Pole. It’s revealed that one of these children will have the honor of being given the First Gift of Christmas by Santa Claus himself that year. It’s a tale of belief and faith, both in oneself and in things beyond our ken. The book is well-known for its remarkable illustrative artistry, and the movie mostly lives up to it. Ever since the film came out, at least, it’s become quite popular around Christmas time for heritage railways around the world to have Polar Express outings, dressing up their engines and coaches to resemble the titular locomotive and its train. I’ve never gone on one of these trips, but even at my age, I’d still very much like to if I ever get a chance. The idea of this enchanted engine, racing through snow and mist to a place only children can understand, remains as powerful as it is entrancing. I dare say Christmas would not be Christmas without some version of the Polar Express.

2. The Hogwarts Express, from Harry Potter.

On the note of the idea of a magical, secret train that carries one off to a land of mystical wonderment…if one such express line can beat the Polar Express on that front, it would have to be the Hogwarts Express. Hidden away at the exclusive, disguised-by-magic Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters, and painted in vivid crimson livery, this passenger line is every aspiring wizard or witch’s dream come true. While the train, itself, seems fairly ordinary, many of the most memorable scenes in the Harry Potter stories take place aboard or around the engine and its carriages: from Harry’s first encounters with Ron and Hermione, to a flying car chase scene, to the first appearance of the Dementors, and more, many fans of the films and the novels alike well-remember the mystery and awe of the Hogwarts Express, both inside and out. In the films, the locomotive was portrayed by Olton Hall, a stately engine originally made in service to the famous Great Western Railway. It is currently preserved and on static display in London. Famously, the train was recreated into a full-scale, functioning electric line for Universal Orlando, where it acts as both a mode of transport and its own attraction. The Hogwarts Express there carries guests between the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, with a special show inside the engine that makes it seem like you really are riding the rails between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Having gone on the ride myself, I can safely say it is an experience even casual fans of the Harry Potter fans should enjoy at least once in a lifetime.

1. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.

How many of us first became fascinated with railways, and especially steam trains, thanks to Thomas and his friends? I know I certainly did. Before things like Batman or Alice in Wonderland, “Thomas & Friends” was my first childhood obsession. I collected toys like crazy, gobbled up the VHS tapes (yeah, remember those?), and even read a number of books, including the original “Railway Series” books the TV show was based on (written by the late, great Reverend W. Awdry.) The TV show got started in the UK during the 1980s, and is still being produced and aired to this day. Naturally, over time, it has undergone some changes: originally, the series was produced using animated model trains. Then it transitioned to CGI for a spell…currently, the show has been completely retooled into the series “All Engines Go!” with 2D animation. Everyone who knows about the Island of Sodor has a favorite incarnation, and has grown up with a different era of Thomas…not to mention its characters. From cheeky Thomas himself, to his best friend Percy the Small Engine, to the vain and flashy James the Red Engine, to the villainous Devious Diesel, and so many more. All of them have fun personalities and different quirks that have stood the test of time, one way or another. For me, it’s the original Awdry books and the first six or seven seasons of the TV show that I will always hold fondest in my heart, but I can see the value in other renditions. What’s great about the show is that, aside from its whimsical and fantastical elements that can appeal to children, there’s also a lot of great lore and even connections to real life railways that adults can find interesting; it appeals, in its best versions, to all ages. For me, it’s a nostalgic piece of my soul: anytime I think of Thomas, or revisit the old stories or episodes, I’m brought back to a simpler, more comfortable time, in a way nothing else can manage. For that, and for being the main reason I love trains in the first place, Thomas and all of his friends on Sodor have most definitely earned their place as my number one spot on this countdown.

HONORABLE MENTIONS INCLUDE…

Choo Choo Charles. (This monster counts. :P )

The Bioquimek Train, from Castlevania: Lords of Shadow II. (A personal, more obscure favorite train from a video game.)

The Wonderland Railway, from Alice in Wonderland (1985 Miniseries). (Pictured at top.)

Starlight Express. (Wasn’t sure if this stage show should count on the main list, but it’s worth at least an Honorable Mention.)

#list #countdown #top 15 #best #favorites #trains #locomotives #railways #railroads #fiction #film #movies #tv #animation #anime #tokusatsu #video games #literature

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theliterarywolf · 11 months

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So I've NOT watched the Mario movie, but I've watched some of the other illumination movies, and I agree with you. Illumination is, IMO! very hit or miss, I really hate how childish they sometimes are, and I find them to not really be movies I ever want to re-watch. LoZ needs a company that knows how to do a good pacing, and respects more of the fact that LoZ is fun, but isn't as family friendly as you might first assume. Idk companies, but I'd really prefer a studio that isn't so "over the top"

I know that people always say things like 'if there's ever a Zelda movie, Studio Ghibli is the only company that can match that exact combination of sublime adventure in a foreign world and the subtleties of the human experience'.

However, in a more realistic scenario, I'd just opt for either Sony Pictures Animation* or Warner Bros Animation just for the sake of something resembling balance.

*Yes, I know that Sony gave us Hotels and Emojis, but they've been showing that they are desperately trying to step out of those films' shadows. Whereas Illumination is firmly planted in 'either Minions or Minion-adjacent humor'

#And remember:#I'm saying this as someone who actually really LIKED the Mario Movie #but different IPs and stories need different approaches

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tophthedaydreamer · 9 months

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Question? If you *had* to change the old Disney Snow White movie, either to adapt it to audiences now, or to make it closer to the original story, or fit your own headcanons? What would you change?

Asking because I genuinely haven’t thought about the movie until I saw you talking about the new live action version. And now I’m thinking about rewatching the movie and trying my hand at rewriting it.

What are the things you’d definitely keep, vs things that you might add if it got more screen time, or even stuff you’d cut or change. (One of mine is actually seeing the Hunter’s family. Which might be my forgetfulness? But I don’t think we do in the movie)

personally, I love 1937 snow white so much that I wouldn't change a thing hehe. I think it's wonderful the way it is.

But if I were to make my own adaptation (which I'm dead set on doing if I ever get the resources and ability to do so)....

I would do my own spin that focuses more on snow white's bond with the dwarves instead of the romance with the prince. As much as I am a sucker for romance, I do adore platonic relationships as well, especially those that are family-oriented. And snow white and the dwarves are my favorite parts of the 1937 film, so why not expand on that? Thus, the prince would probably be cut from the story, and it would be the dwarves who break the spell (they each give her a farewell kiss on the forehead that collectively breaks the curse). another thing I'd change is the dwarves, to an extent. they are still seven little men, but they lean more on the fantasy side. I'm thinking they'd look like a mix of a dwarf, gnome, and gelfling.

elements I'd keep are snow white's traditional attributes (hair black as ebony, skin white as snow, etc.), the evil queen setting multiple traps for snow white (I recall in the original fairytale that the queen tried to kill s.w. with a cursed corset and hairbrush? I'll have to brush up on my snow white lore), and the true love's kiss that breaks the sleeping spell.

I'd also load it with German fairytale aesthetics! I'd want it to be traditionally animated, in a similar style to these other works:

(pls watch a clip of "the girl from the other side" [third picture] bc the animation is crazy good)

The general tone of my version would be a mix of dark fantasy (Don bluth vibes) and peaceful cottagecore (studio Ghibli). Generally a calm, beautiful, but eerie film that isn't afraid to get "Grimm" (eh?! eeeeehhh???!!).

I hope you don't mind my wall of text lol. I just love snow white :P

#toph musings #ask #snow white #snow white and the seven dwarfs #fairytale

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favoriteanimatedtheatricalfilm · 6 months

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Surprise poll! I won’t check this very often, but I’m trying to decide what tournament to run next. So I am putting out a list of other animation companies next to 1-3 recognizable franchises or movies. The next polls should run sometime during 2024, so keep an eye out :).

REMEMBER: I will only be holding a tournament for movies, not tv shows.

(Also feel free to add in the tags or notes whether I should still keep running the Dreamworks Tournament separate from the Illumination Tournament in the coming years)

*This movie was both made by Dreamworks and Aardman, so if you feel like you voted for this movie before on this blog, you may have!

#I might go from most voted to least voted idk #these choices are mostly what I watched as a child #so it doesn’t include a ton of non-western options #illumination #twentieth century fox #sony pictures animation #studio ghibli #laika #aardman animations #cartoon network #warner bros animation #nickelodeon #rankin bass #rankin-bass #crest animation #Barbie

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elysieeh · 2 years

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Five Yōkai references to Studio Ghibli films

An avid lover and aficionado of Studio Ghibli’s work, I see references to and from it practically everywhere. Most recently at an exhibition about yōkai.

Yōkai are a class of supernatural creatures that roam the realm of spirits in Japanese folklore. The Japan Foundation organised traveling exhibition titled “Yōkai: Supernatural Monsters from Japan” introduces these curious spirits through a diverse range of media, including nishiki-e prints, emaki picture scrolls, sculptures, toys and films.

Apart from the harmonious and subtle color palettes, the lush and peculiar imagination of the ancient artist, his experienced hand drawing each brush stroke, and the excitement of seeing a picture scroll in real life, what really intrigued me were the images that looked like a scene from a Studio Ghibli film. Listed below are some of the references I spotted.

1.Mount Ōe Picture Scroll and Princess Mononoke First in line was this one illustrating the heroic tale of the brave samurai Minamoto no Yorimitsu, who, according to legend, exterminated the quintessential yōkai Shuten-dōji, a mythical oni or demon leader of Japan. Although decapitated, the demon’s detached head still took a bite at the hero, who avoided death by wearing multiple helmets stacked on his head.

Close-up of Shuten-doji biting at his decapitator. Source: The Japan Foundation

In Princess Mononoke, on a few occasions Lady Eboshi warns her people that it will take more than a single shot to kill a wolf god: “A wolf’s severed head can still bite.” Ignoring Ashitaka’s warning and attempt to stop her from committing yet another godslaughter, Eboshi succeeds in murdering the Forest Spirit. This victory is short-lived, however, as soon after Eboshi gets her well-deserved punishment for angering the gods when the wolf god Moro’s decapitated head bites off her right arm: “Moro’s head. It moved on its own,” feels like Eboshi had foreshadowed her own misfortune.

2.The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Picture Scroll and Howl’s Moving Castle This is more of a visual than content resemblance. The big headed tengu and courtesan riding the cart instantly reminded me of the Witch of the Waste’s disproportionate head when she is similarly looking through the window of her palanquin carried around the city by her loyal henchmen.

Tengu and courtesan riding a cart pulled by a toad. Source: The Japan Foundation

3.The Nue and Princess Mononoke’s Forest Spirit If you have ever leafed through The Art of Princess Mononoke book you might know that the Forest Spirit (shishigami) didn’t always have that same soothing smile and piercing eyes that are both amicable and cruel. In the early stages of his development his face was more human-like and uncanny than it is now. Though at first glance he resembles a deer, the Forest Spirit is actually a combination of several animals. This blog post lists them as follows: a red-monkey face covered with blue patterns, cat eyes and nose, goat ears, big body of a wild boar, the fur of a serow, and the tail of a dog. As a whole his appearance is one overflowing with peculiarity.

Similarly the Nue, a legendary yōkai or mononoke, in The Tale of the Heike, is described as having the head of a monkey, the legs of a tiger, the body of a dog and the front half of a snake for a tail. In other writings it is sometimes depicted to have the back of a tiger, the legs of a tanuki, the tail of a fox, the head of a cat, and the torso of a chicken.

The Nue is also said to have the ability to shape-shift, often into the form of a black cloud that can fly. Much like the Forest Spirit who at nightfall changes to the giant Nightwalker (deidarabotchi).

Another similarity worth mentioning is that in both cases the mythical creature is indirectly murdered by the Japanese emperor. Lady Eboshi intends to give the Forest Spirit’s head, which is believed to grant immortality, to the Emperor in return for protection from Lord Asano. In The Tale of Heike, the samurai Minamoto no Yorimasa slays the Nue, because its very existence causes fear in the Emperor who falls ill and is unable to recuperate.

Minamoto no Yorimasa defeats the mythical beast Nue. Source: The Japan Foundation

4.The Foot Washing Mansion and Spirited Away This nishiki-e print depicts a large-footed yōkai monster that descends from the ceiling and demands to be washed. The story is one of seven stories in the famous Seven Wonders of Honjo and goes as follows: At the time when the flowers were sleeping and the ushimitsu plant was blooming, a horrible, rotten stench would invade the house, and a giant foot bristling with hair would descend from the ceiling accompanied by an enormous sound. If you washed the foot, it would soon disappear back into the ceiling. But if you didn’t, the giant foot would rampage through the house until satisfied.

The large-footed yōkai descending from the ceiling. Source: The Japan Foundation

Most of Spirited Away’s plot takes place within a bathhouse for gods and spirits, known as kami, whose proprietor is the greedy witch Yubaba. The majority of these kami habitually visit the bathhouse for a regular wash to keep themselves clean — unlike the unwelcome enormous and foul smelling guest who imposes his presence and causes turmoil. He smells so bad that at first everybody, unsuccessfully, tries to prevent him from entering the bathhouse. Eventually they realise he is harmless — only after Chihiro cleanses him and sets him free from the taint of humanity.

5.Personified Daikon Radish and Spirited Away’s Oshirasama According to Japanese ideas of animism, spirit-like entities are believed to reside in all things, both the living and the dead, including natural phenomena and objects. Kami and yōkai inhabit the spirit domain and in shape or nature can be either humans, animals, plants, natural phenomena or artifacts. Like for example this daikon radish (can you spot it?) appearing on omocha-e play pictures made for children’s entertainment as early as the Meiji era (1868–1912).

Yōkai-themed omocha-e. Source: The Japan Foundation

Root vegetables like radishes and carrots have often become internet sensations due to the occasional deformations they suffer. Their wonky shapes might have displeased a farmer in the past and ended up in the garbage instead of as pickles. Similar destiny had already befallen the objects of a house possessed by spirits. Discarded while the house was being exorcised, the aggrieved objects transform into yōkai and start plotting their revenge.

Oshirasama (Radish Spirit or Great White Lord) is the white, hefty, slow-moving guest at Yubaba’s bathhouse who resembles a radish sumo wrestler. His name, Oshirasama, is also the name of a kami of agriculture in the Shinto faith.

Have you noticed any of these? Do you perhaps know of another reference I might have missed out. How about re-watching the above mentioned films with this newly gained perspective? Japanese folklore is rich, extraordinarily original and beautiful. And so are Studio Ghibli’s films.

Source

#studio ghibli #ghibli films #hayao mizayaki #spirited away #princess mononoke #howl's moving castle #yokai #japan foundation #yōkai: supernatural monsters from japan #emaki #nishiki-e

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