An Unofficial Guide to the World of Studio Ghibli

From the creators of the podcast and bestselling book Ghibliotheque, this is a young film fan’s comprehensive guide to one of the most exciting and influential film studios in cinema history, NOW FEATURING an all-new section to celebrate 40 years of Studio Ghibli. This new section includes a look at The Boy and the Heron, as well as an overview of Studio Ghibli’s theatre productions My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, plus information on Ghibli Park, Japan’s amazing Studio Ghibli theme park.

Hello from Ghibliotheque!

We are Michael and Jake, and together we make a podcast called Ghibliotheque, all about the films of the legendary Japanese animation company, Studio Ghibli. We think that Studio Ghibli has made some of the greatest films of all time, like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. We love nothing more than sharing these films with other people, whether that’s by watching them together on the big screen, or writing a book like the one you’re holding right now.

This book is our handy, illustrated guide to the world of Studio Ghibli, a world that is like no other. Over the following pages you’ll meet strong heroes, get to know wild and beguiling creatures, taste mouth-watering food, and travel via fast and fantastical modes of transportation. There is so much to explore and discover, so let’s quote the motto of the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, and say: let’s get lost, together.

Enjoy!

Across eight chapters, we will get up close and personal with the movies, learn who’s who at the Oscar-winning studio and explore the impact that Ghibli World has left on our planet.

Michael Leader (Author) Michael Leader is a writer and broadcaster whose writing has appeared in Sight & Sound and Little White Lies, and whose voice has appeared on podcasts and radio ranging from Ghibliotheque and Truth & Movies to BBC Front Row and BBC Radio 5. At Little Dot Studios, he is a Senior Producer working on projects related to film and video games. For several years, he was Editorial Director for Film4 Online, and he is now Commissioning Editor of the BBC Arts/iPlayer series Inside Cinema and Inside Games, for which he has written and produced short form documentaries about, among other things, Studio Ghibli. He lives in London with his partner and a small child.Jake Cunningham (Author) Jake Cunningham is a writer and producer working in film and audio. At Little Dot Studios he works across podcasts and video essay production with a focus on film. As well as Ghibliotheque, he has produced podcasts with Channel 4, Curzon Cinemas, and the British Independent Film Awards; he has appeared on air for the BBC World Service; and has written and voiced video essays for the BBC and Little White Lies. He has written about film for The i, BFI, NME and more. His first animated short film as writer and producer, made with BFI Network, will be released in 2021. He lives in London with his partner and a small dog.