Studio Ghibli

The 'Ni no Kuni' steelbook edition. (Namco Bandai)

Review: 'Ni no Kuni' is a whole new beautiful world

Combining the talents of the well-known Level 5 studio (Dark Cloud, Professor Layton series, White Knight Chronicles) and legendary animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, Ponyo, Whispers of the Heart), Ni no Kuni (fully, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch) is a wonder to behold. The intelligence … Continue Reading →

“THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY”

Review: Delightful 'Secret World of Arrietty' comes to video

Disney has released “The Secret World of Arrietty” on DVD and Blu-ray this week, the latest from the renowned Studio Ghibli. I reviewed it when it came out in theaters, but it’s worth another plug, especially now that we get the original Japanese audio with a more accurate subtitle track. “Arrietty” is everything you’d expect … Continue Reading →

Seita and Setsuko flee the firebombing of their home in "Grave of the Fireflies."

Review: 'Grave of the Fireflies' a cold classic still worth watching

“Masterpiece” and “classic” are words I sometimes think are thrown around to make people feel guilty if they don’t like the work of art the words describe. That’s how I’m feeling after watching Sentai Filmworks’ dutifully remastered “Grave of the Fireflies.” It’s one of those seminal anime films that tops everyone’s list of greatest anime … Continue Reading →

arrietty

Review: 'Secret World of Arrietty' is another beauty from Studio Ghibli

“The Secret World of Arrietty” is everything you’d expect from a Studio Ghibli film: charming and lovely with a strong moral message. Hayao Miyazaki didn’t direct this adaptation of the classic kids book “The Borrowers,” but he did write and “plan” it, so it’s in good hands. It’s the story of Arrietty, a 14-year-old Borrower, … Continue Reading →