Ninokuni Under Threat? Miyazaki Talks Ghibli Dissolution
World famous animation studio could be making its last film.
Legendary animation director Hayao Miyazaki has spoken of the unthinkable - the possibility that Studio Ghibli may close down.
In an interview with Cut Magazine, Miyazaki talks about his upcoming film before stating that, if it bombs at the box office, that a "dissolution program" is being made to formally compact the studio into a mere "copyright management company."
While altogether the impact would be devastating to the entire film and animation industry, the loss of the studio would also affect the games industry - it is dipping its toe into the medium with Professor Layton developer Level-5 to create Ninokuni for the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 3. SPOnG has contacted Level-5 for comment on whether this process is affecting development here.
"No joke, we talked about it the other day," Miyazaki revealed. "For example, Ghibli should be able to continue with about five staff members as a copyright management company even if we smash the studio. So, Ghibli can say, ‘We stop film production. Goodbye'. I do not have to be there."
Hopefully if his upcoming film, The Borrower Arrietty, doesn't perform as expected then Ninokuni could help pick up the financial pieces. Do you think Ghibli's move into games will help the studio survive? Let us know in the comments box below.
In an interview with Cut Magazine, Miyazaki talks about his upcoming film before stating that, if it bombs at the box office, that a "dissolution program" is being made to formally compact the studio into a mere "copyright management company."
While altogether the impact would be devastating to the entire film and animation industry, the loss of the studio would also affect the games industry - it is dipping its toe into the medium with Professor Layton developer Level-5 to create Ninokuni for the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 3. SPOnG has contacted Level-5 for comment on whether this process is affecting development here.
"No joke, we talked about it the other day," Miyazaki revealed. "For example, Ghibli should be able to continue with about five staff members as a copyright management company even if we smash the studio. So, Ghibli can say, ‘We stop film production. Goodbye'. I do not have to be there."
Hopefully if his upcoming film, The Borrower Arrietty, doesn't perform as expected then Ninokuni could help pick up the financial pieces. Do you think Ghibli's move into games will help the studio survive? Let us know in the comments box below.
Companies:
Level-5
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Comments
Old Codger 24 Aug 2010 07:30
1/3
I love all of the Ghibli films, Spirited Away being my favourite. This is really terrible news as the quality of animation and storytelling from them is almost unrivaled. I really hope taking a new route into games helps keep the studio alive. It really would be a shame if they just ended up as a copyright management company.
Kamaji 25 Aug 2010 08:25
2/3
Devastating, simply lost for words.
Ghibli Expert 27 Aug 2010 21:00
3/3
This article is misinterpreted. Miyazaki was reponding to fears that Ghibli will not be able to maintain its success in a few years time since the two maestros of the studio, he (Miyazaki) and Takahata, are getting too old to direct. The experienced animators, too, are heading towards retirement.
There is, however, no imminent threat. He was just discussing possibilities since every company needs an exit strategy. Arrietty is performing well in the box office, while the two previous movies Ponyo and Gedo Senki were the biggest blockbusters of the year during their release. Furthermore, there are more simultaneous film productions than ever before, with three in the works (by Takahata, Miyazaki and his son too). Finally, Miyazaki has recently opened a training school to build the animation team at Ghibli.
There is, however, no imminent threat. He was just discussing possibilities since every company needs an exit strategy. Arrietty is performing well in the box office, while the two previous movies Ponyo and Gedo Senki were the biggest blockbusters of the year during their release. Furthermore, there are more simultaneous film productions than ever before, with three in the works (by Takahata, Miyazaki and his son too). Finally, Miyazaki has recently opened a training school to build the animation team at Ghibli.