logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
48m 10s

The Stories of Studio Ghibli

Alison Fincher
About this episode

To celebrate the overseas release of The Boy and the Heron (aka How Do You Live?) RJL delves into the stories that inspire animator Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, especially

  • Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
  • Howl’s Moving Castle
  • My Neighbor Totoro

We’ll end with a deep dive into Kiki’s Delivery Service—the Ghibli film and the novel by Eiko Kadano (as translated by Emily Balistrieri).

Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.

*25,000 total episode downloads! Thanks for your support!*

Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.
Support RJL on Patreon.com.
Buy your books from Bookshop.org.
All content © 2023 Read Japanese Literature.

Up next
Oct 29
The Master of the Japanese Ghost Story
In this episode, we explore the enduring legacy of Greek/English/Irish/American/Japanese author Lafcadio Hearn and the ghost story The Peony Lantern.We'll start out by looking at Hearn's life. We'll discuss the long history of the story Boton Doro, more commonly known as The Peon ... Show More
54m 57s
Sep 20
Bullying in Japanese Literature
In this episode, we look at bullying in Japanese literature.We'll start out by defining bullying and looking at bullying in Japanese schools as well as the Japanese workplace. We'll see some examples in Japanese novels. And then we'll talk about Mizuki Tsujimura's Lonely Castle i ... Show More
57m 6s
Jun 2025
Christianity in Japanese Literature
In this episode, we look into the history of Christianity in Japan—especially the role Christianity has played in Japanese literature. Our focus text is Shusaku Endo's Silence.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us thr ... Show More
1h 1m
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
Studio Ghibli: Is this the end for the Japanese studio that inspired Pixar?
The international premiere of Studio Ghibli’s latest film took place last night, after breaking box office records in Japan in July. The Boy and the Heron is the final film from one of cinema’s most influential animators, the reclusive genius Hayao Miyazaki. But does his retireme ... Show More
28m 21s
Sep 2020
Howl’s Moving Castle – Ghibli Rewatch
Howl’s Moving Castle is one Hayao Miyazaki’s most magical films and is beloved by many. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli […] 
1h 30m
Oct 2020
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya – Ghibli Rewatch
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is legendary animator Isao Takahata’s final film and perhaps his magnum opus. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through […] 
1h 28m
Dec 2023
Hayao Miyazaki’s Magical Realms
<p>Margaret Talbot, writing in The New Yorker in 2005, <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/01/17/the-auteur-of-anime"><strong>recounted</strong></a> that when animators at Pixar got stuck on a project they’d file into a screening room to watch a film by Hayao Miyazak ... Show More
44m 55s
Sep 2020
The Secret World of Arrietty – Ghibli Rewatch
The Secret World of Arrietty is a gorgeous fantasy film from Hiromasa Yonebayashi, his directorial debut. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio […] 
1h 14m
May 2021
Studio Ghibli: The next generation
This week, The Cultural Frontline explores family, legacy and creativity.Studio Ghibli is one of the biggest names in animation, famous for films such as The Wind Rises, My Neighbour Totoro and the Oscar winning Spirited Away. For years, Studio Ghibli was led by its co-founder, t ... Show More
27m 36s
Jun 2020
Castle in the Sky – Ghibli Rewatch
Castle in the Sky (aka Laputa: Castle in the Sky) is an epic adventure movie from Hayao Miyazaki. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through [&#8230;] 
1h 46m
May 2024
MéloCiné : La musique du studio Ghibli
<p>Cette année le Festival de Cannes célèbre le studio Ghibli avec la Palme d’or d’honneur, l’occasion pour nous de revenir sur l'oeuvre du talentueux compositeur Joe&nbsp;Hisaishi.<br/>En effet, les films japonais du studio Ghibli, et particulièrement ceux du réalisateur&nbsp;Ha ... Show More
8m 30s
Aug 2016
Studio Ghibli - Japanese Animation
In August 1986 the first Studio Ghibli film hit the cinema screens. It would go on to bring Japanese animation to a world audience. Hirokatsu Kihara was a young animator who joined the studio to work on 'Castle in the Sky' its first feature length film. He has been speaking to As ... Show More
8m 54s
Dec 2020
Studio Ghibli - Japan's Oscar-winning animators
In August 1986 the first Studio Ghibli film hit the cinema screens. It would go on to bring Japanese animation to a world audience. Hirokatsu Kihara was a young animator who joined the studio to work on Castle in the Sky, its first feature length film. He spoke to Ashley Byrne of ... Show More
10m 23s