The utterly delightful Ghibli gem WHISPER OF THE HEART was released 30 years ago today! 👒🎻

Princess Mononoke 4K is coming to BFI IMAX from 15th August!

Studio Ghibli’s Majestic Sensibility Is Drawing Imitators

Had a nice long chat about Studio Ghibli and video games with @lewisgordon.bsky.social for this piece for the New York Times.

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/a...

Studio Ghibli’s Majestic Sensibility Is Drawing Imitators

Oh!

@ghibliotheque.bsky.social and @michaeljleader.bsky.social in today's New York Times!!!

"It is more common for games to superficially crib from the studio’s visual qualities, said Michael Leader, host of the “Ghibliotheque” podcast"

Is that a first for both?

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/a...

Happy birthday to Studio Ghibli. In these confusing times, it's needed more than ever to provide a place where dreams and nightmares can find their balance. Long may its works endure.

Studio Ghibli was founded 40 years ago today, on 15 June 1985.

Picture of a book titled The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki: the Influences and Inspiration Behind the Iconic Films, written by Nicolas Rapold.

New addition to the Ghibli bookshelf, coming out in September

Michael with Zlin Film Fest programmer Jaroslava, after introducing Spirited Away, crouching in front of the cinema crowd and holding a sign which says 'Zlin Film Festival heart Ghibli'

Michael delivering a lecture at the Zlin Film Festival, wearing a Britney Spears microphone.

Last week I went to the Zlín Film Festival and it was a blast!

Big crowds of youngsters mingling with filmmakers and industry folk, watching films and responding with infectious enthusiasm.

I gave a lecture on the theme of youth in the films of Hayao Miyazaki, and introduced a bunch of films, too.

Excited to be at Picturehouse Central’s 4th edition of The World’s Biggest All-Nighter tomorrow. If any Bluesky pals would like tickets to anything, do let me know… I’ve got a few spots on the guest list! 👀

Tornado, Lollipop, From Hilde With Love and Ballerina with Len Wiseman and Norman Reedus | Picturehouse Podcast Episode · The Love Of Cinema · 04/06/2025 · 58m

From 42:00 you can hear me summarise in under 3 minutes the @animusmagazine.bsky.social I LIKE TO WATCH erotic thriller screen at Saturday’s Picturehouse Central All-Nighter; then @michaeljleader.bsky.social introducing his fab @ghibliotheque.bsky.social screen : podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

I'll do my best to be there! It's too long since I've seen Totoro on a screen that's REALLY big enough to hold such furry toothy splendour!

Totoro in the cinema 👀

Still from the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbour Totoro.

New screening!

We're back at the BFI IMAX in June to celebrate 40 years of Studio Ghibli with a special screening of MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, with a pre-screening discussion on the environmental themes that weave through the studio's work.

📽️ BFI IMAX, London
📅 11am, 29th June

The Animation at War season at the Barbican is expanding!

We're presenting a screening of Isao Takahata's 1988 classic, GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, as part of the Barbican's Outdoor Cinema series in August.

Cinema ticket stub for Spirited Away at Cornerhouse Manchester, September 2003

Cinema ticket stub for Howl's Moving Castle, UGC Birmingham, September 2005

Cinema ticket stub for Tales From Earthsea, Cornerhouse Manchester, August 2007

Three Studio Ghibli cinema tickets

Graphic for the Picturehouse All Nighter (Part IV)

Still from Perfect Blue

Graphic for Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood

Still from The Wrong Trousers

We're thrilled to be taking part in the Picturehouse all-nighter at Picturehouse Central on 7th June! 🌃📽️

Our screen is filled with favourites from the last 7 years of the podcast, including...

WOLFWALKERS
PERFECT BLUE
APOLLO 10 1/2
THE WRONG TROUSERS

...and one more film to be announced! 👀

A delightful Wednesday evening with @glider.bsky.social and her new Seed Talks lecture on Howl's Moving Castle. Always so insightful and inspiring!

This should be fun! One big coup here is getting a rare chance to show Richard Linklater's excellent Apollo 10 1/2 on the big screen. Ta, Netflix!

Ghibliotheque’s Greatest Hits | Showtimes and Tickets Wolfwalkers | Perfect Blue | Apollo 10 ½ | The Wrong Trousers | …and one more film to be announced!  For the last seven years, the team at Ghibliotheque have been celebrating the va...

Come join us for a wild ride through the vast and wonderful world of animation - 7th June! picturehouses.com/movie-detail...

Graphic for the Picturehouse All Nighter (Part IV)

Still from Perfect Blue

Graphic for Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood

Still from The Wrong Trousers

We're thrilled to be taking part in the Picturehouse all-nighter at Picturehouse Central on 7th June! 🌃📽️

Our screen is filled with favourites from the last 7 years of the podcast, including...

WOLFWALKERS
PERFECT BLUE
APOLLO 10 1/2
THE WRONG TROUSERS

...and one more film to be announced! 👀

Masterclass with Michael Leader: Step into the World of Japanese Anime Discover the magic of childhood in the films of Studio Ghibli. We invite you to a unique masterclass with Michael Leader, a respected film critic and expert on the works of Studio Ghibli. This inspiring talk will take place on Saturday, May 31 at 6:00 p.m. in the new auditorium of Tomáš Baťa University on Mostní Street.

I'm off to the Zlín Film Festival later this month to deliver a lecture on Studio Ghibli: www.zlinfest.cz/-en/news/mas...

I've often wondered when was the first time a Ghibli film was screened in the UK and I think I have an answer. 15th November 1987, Laputa at the London Film Festival.

("...a worthy successor to Warriors of the Wind"!)

New book coming in October! A round the world trip, exploring animated cinema from 30 different countries. Our most ambitious book yet, and certainly the most rewarding. 📚

Great new #animation book due out in October!

The cover of Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham's book, The Animation Atlas, featuring characters such as Totoro and Gromit. With the caption "An essential and beautifully illustrated guide to the exciting, expansive world of animated cinema - 09.10.2025"

📚 NEW BOOK! 📚

Coming in October: THE ANIMATION ATLAS 🌎

Animation is a global artform. In this book, we’re going around the world in 30 countries, highlighting the films and filmmakers who have shaped the landscape of this exciting medium. 🎨

Covers of 2 books about the films of Hayao Miyazaki L: The Anime Art of Hayao Miyazaki by Dani Cavallaro (Paperback, NEW) This critical study of Miyazaki's work begins with an analysis of the visual conventions of manga, Japanese comic books, and anime; an overview of Japanese animated films; and a consideration of the techniques deployed by both traditional cel and computer animation. This section also details Miyazaki's early forays into comic books and animation, and his output prior to his founding of Studio Ghibli. Part Two concentrates on the Studio Ghibli era, outlining the company's development and analyzing the director's productions between 1984 and 2004. $35.00 R: Hayao Miyazaki by Jessica Niebel, Daniel Kothenschulte and Pete Docter This book is published on the occasion of the 2021 inaugural exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, in collaboration with Studio Ghibli in Tokyo. It accompanies the first ever retrospective dedicated to the legendary filmmaker in North America and introduces hundreds of original production materials, including artworks never before seen outside of Studio Ghibli’s archives. Concept sketches, character designs, storyboards, layouts, backgrounds and production cels from his early career through all 11 of his feature films.

Pictured: 2 pieces of Miyazaki merchandise L: 100PCS Cartoon Anime Miyazaki Hayao and Studio Ghibli Anime Vinyl Movie Stickers $15.00 R: Ensky Kiki's Delivery Service Jiji Art Crystal Jigsaw Puzzle $22.00

Pictured: 2 pieces of Miyazaki merchandise L: Kiki's Delivery Service Baker's Studio Ghibli Chopsticks and Spoon Set by Skater $25.00 R: Spirited Away Studio Ghibli 2 Tier Round Bento Lunch Box with Fork by Skater $25.00

Pictured: covers of 2 books. L: Studio Ghibli: Architecture in Animation by Studio Ghibli (Hardcover, NEW) $50.00 A deluxe art book featuring exclusive commentary, sketches, concept art, and paintings detailing the unique architecture in Studio Ghibli’s films. R: Ghibliverse: Studio Ghibli Beyond the Films by Jake Cunningham & Michael Leader (Hardcover, NEW) $25.00 From blockbuster stage shows and rare manga to forgotten television series and brand new theme parks, and from literary masterpieces and rival studios to soundtracks and secret short films, expert authors and hosts of the hit Ghibliotheque podcast Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham show that the magic doesn't stop when the film credits roll.

Did you know that MZS.press arts bookstore has a whole section dedicated to Hayao Miyazaki?

(Cc @mzspress.bsky.social) mzs.press/Hayao-Miyaza...

Chuffed to find the Spanish editions of our @ghibliotheque.bsky.social anime books - including the recently translated Ghibliverse and Ghibliotheque second edition - in the big Marbella FNAC today. Thank you so much for all your support, @minotaurolibros.bsky.social!

A big thank you to @ghibliotheque.bsky.social - Michael and Jake gave a great overview of their podcast series and book publications. They also had a great discussion with the students about filmmaking and animation in general.

And so happy Glints mentioned Future Boy Conan!