DVDizzy Forum

This is the message I sent and the reply I recieved from Luke, exactly 1 year ago tomorrow:

I would question the inclusion of Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky under the Direct-To-Video section, as these were both released theatrically (just not necessarily in the US.)

Also, I didn't see Miyazaki's Spirited Away listed anywhere, I would have assumed that it would be under the Other Animation category. IMHO, Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky should also be placed in the Other Animation category, as well as other Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli films that Disney will be releasing.

-- littlefuzzy

Hi,
Thanks for your e-mail. It's a fuzzy science to classify some of these films and certainly the Miyazaki films don't easily fall into any category. As it is now, the Animated Classics are really easy to define, but live action films that may get limited theatrical release, TV movies that are shown theatrically overseas, and animated productions that Disney certainly didn't animate but handles to some degree all are difficult to label. I think "Spirited Away" probably should go in "Other Animation" - you're right there. But I feel that Kiki's and Castle, having been released direct-to-video in the US, should stay where they are and just have a note added - as was done for other DTV films that played theatrically, like the live action "Other Side of Heaven" and "Summer of the Monkeys." Thanks for your feedback; I appreciate your insight.

Cheers,
Luke
UltimateDisney.com

I was curious to see other people's responses to this, personally, I still feel that to put them in Direct-To-Video does these films a disservice, as they are in no way comparable to the cheap sequels that comprise most of this category. I also see some TV episodes and cartoon shorts that I feel shouldn't be there either, but that's another story.

With 3 films already available - Spirited Away (already in Other Animation,) Kiki's Delivery Service, and Castle in the Sky - and two batches of films coming soon, I feel that all of the films should be listed in one section. Three more from Miyazaki should be released in 2005 - Porco Rosso, Nausicaa, and My Neighbor Totoro - and there was talk of a release of Takahata's films in Nov. 2004. These would be: Pom Poko, My Neighbors the Yamadas, and Only Yesterday.

Spirited Away made $259 million worldwide at the box office, which was 3 million shy of Lilo and Stitch. I couldn't find many figures on Castle in the Sky, but Kiki's Delivery Service had 2.6 million admissions in Japan. Nausicaa had just under a million admissions, and Princess Mononoke had 13 and 1/2 million admissions in Japan with a total box office of ~$150 million.

Looking at the top-rated Animation titles at IMDB, there are quite a few Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki films listed, with 5 in the top ten.
01. Spirited Away (Disney)
03. Princess Mononoke (Miramax)
04. Grave of the Fireflies
06. Castle in the Sky (Disney)
10. My Neighbor Totoro (Disney)
20. Kiki's Delivery Service (Disney)
21. Nausicaa (Disney)
23. Whisper of the Heart
28. Porco Rosso (Disney)
35. Castle of Cagliostro (A great Lupin III flick)

I am not sure if some of the new-to-dvd titles will be released theatrically or not, but given that Disney didn't see any real box-office on Spirited Away (bad marketing, maybe?) I doubt they will release any older films to the theaters. Of course, Howl's Moving Castle will be released, and hopefully Disney will market this one better.

I voted for keeping them in Direct to video. If they weren't shown theatrically in North america, that's where they go. Spirited Away shouldn't be there, since it did have a theatrical release. Now that I think a little more about it, the more I agree that the Miyazaki films maybe do deserve their own seperate category. Wish I could change my vote now... oh well, maybe they will get their own section anyway?

I think they should be moved to Other Animation

It's not direct to video it came out in the theatre and box office also the films aren't that bad.

littlefuzzy wrote:I doubt they will release any older films to the theaters. Of course, Howl's Moving Castle will be released, and hopefully Disney will market this one better.

They are planning a small subtitled rerelease of Princee Mononoke. They might also have similar plans for the rest of the Ghibli films. It would be cool if Studio Ghibli got there own section.

what!?
really?? why bother when you have a wonderfully voiced english version (clare danes, billy bob thornton, goliath lol!)
They shouldnt be classed as DTV because these movies are the equivilent to disney in japan. they are always at the top of the box office in japan and its no wonder why- they are great films.

People who arent familiar with them would see the 'DTV' label and think, 'urgh, disney producing cheap japanimation now!?'

In New Zealand they are released under the banner of 'Madman' entertainment. The Spirited away dvd came in LE and is a wonderful 2 disk set

A separate banner would be far more appropriate- something like, Miyazaki classics, or even better 'studio ghibli' classics- as that would encompass grave of the fireflies- another excellent dvd reasled here under madman

Sh00tingstar wrote:what!?
A separate banner would be far more appropriate- something like, Miyazaki classics, or even better 'studio ghibli' classics- as that would encompass grave of the fireflies- another excellent dvd reasled here under madman

Of course, then we would probably need a separate section for Pixar films as well (not that I'd complain about that!)

Grave of the Fireflies was released in the US by Central Park Media, in a nice two-disc collector's series. I don't think this site would want to list something released by another company... In fact, I really doubt that they would even include Princess Mononoke, since it was released by Miramax.

Why dont we try just reorganizing the Direct-to-Video and Other animation categories into more specified and organized categories before considering where Ghibli films should be placed.

I notice that the Lizzie McGuire one-disc DVDs are categorized under DTV which I dont think is all necessary. If they're episodes of the TV show they should go under TV

Walt Disney Treasures should have its own category as well.

Other category ideas:
Sequels!
Television Animation (these are DTVs that are based ONLY on the tv series, this includes all of those many Pooh videos)

Sh00tingstar wrote:what!?
really?? why bother when you have a wonderfully voiced english version (clare danes, billy bob thornton, goliath lol!)

I am normally strictly an original language fan, especially for Japanese films, but all of the Disney Studio Ghibli dubs have been outstanding.

Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Edie McClurg, etc., in Kiki's Delivery Service; and Cloris Leachman, Mark Hamill, Andy Dick, Mandy Patinkin, etc., in Castle in the Sky.

toonaspie wrote:Why dont we try just reorganizing the Direct-to-Video and Other animation categories into more specified and organized categories before considering where Ghibli films should be placed.

I notice that the Lizzie McGuire one-disc DVDs are categorized under DTV which I dont think is all necessary. If they're episodes of the TV show they should go under TV

Walt Disney Treasures should have its own category as well.

Other category ideas:
Sequels!
Television Animation (these are DTVs that are based ONLY on the tv series, this includes all of those many Pooh videos)

Many of the Treasures were shown theatrically as shorts, etc.
The Mickey Mouse Club would be Television, as would Recess and Schoolhouse Rock. I noticed some of these were listed in other categories, as well, such as TV shows.

All Studio Ghibli films released under the Disney name revieved limited theatrical releases. Some only in the New York/Los Angeles areas. I think they should be moved to Other Animation, or better yet, recieve their own listing considering that they rival the Disney classics in terms of quality and majesty...

Well, you guys have gotten your wish. I've updated the "Other Animation" to include the Miyazaki titles. The page is now separated into Pixar, DisneyToons and Other Disney Animation, and Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli.

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/ultimateanimated.htm

Think this is a good idea?

Just wanted to point out that My Neighbor Totoro is available on DVD from Fox. Maybe you could mention that on the other animation page.

Luke wrote:Well, you guys have gotten your wish. I've updated the "Other Animation" to include the Miyazaki titles. The page is now separated into Pixar, DisneyToons and Other Disney Animation, and Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli.

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/ultimateanimated.htm

Think this is a good idea?

Thanks Luke. It looks very good!

Great move Luke. I know Spirited Away was in theatres and I saw Kikis in theatres years and years ago.

JimmyJackJunior wrote:Great move Luke. I know Spirited Away was in theatres and I saw Kikis in theatres years and years ago.

They all have been in US theatres, but only Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away got non- film festival releases.

Maybe Luke could add Princess Mononoke to the list since Miramax is associated with Disney.

Eexxcceelllleenntt!

I don't like region bias. Not everyone who visits this site are from North America. Things should be general in this site. So I'm happy to know that these Miyazaki films are ripping off their DTV labels.