Miyazaki's latest: Howl's Moving Castle

[Teahouse Keeper]

Ooh...Was rather surprised to discover this in a magazine. There's a new production from Miyazaki! Whoa! Thought he retired....It's called Howl's Moving Castle and the trailer looks interesting. Going to hit Japan's screens in Nov 2004 (yeah, this year).

Check out: www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/howl/

Thought it was really great that Miyazaki's still in action, but a bit disappointed that it's not really a Miyazaki creation...the original author is Diana Wynne Jones. Somehow, it doesn't feel right that Ghibli has turned to a western book for its anime. Doesn't give me a good feeling. Reminds me of Disney that's always turning books into its cartoons...no fresh original ideas like Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke...

[urude]

Yes! More Miyazaki movies, but boo since it's not a original story. I really like Miyazaki movies, when you finish watching them, they give you different feeling for each different movie. But there is only one common feeling you would feel at the end is the touched feeling. The stories are just so wonderful. The music that goes along with the movies help creat such emotional depth! I don't know what I want to see anymore, i'm just randomly talking now.

[pippichan]

Yeah, I like watching Miyazaki's masterpieces, though I haven't seen all. The story, the fantasy, the characters; they have their own uniqueness and certainly, they're unforgetable. And it's like I'm involved in the adventure too!

[urude]

I know! Each story is very original and unique. What ones have you seen pippichan? I've seen Spirited Away, that was my first one, then Laputa: The Castle in the Sky, Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, Pom Poko, Mononoke Hime, Kiki's Delivery Service, Whisper of the Heart, Porco-Rosso, Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday and The Cat Returns. I think those were the ones I've seen. They were all very nice, it's hard to choose a favourite one.

[pippichan]

Hmm... I've only seen Spirited Away and The Cat Returns. Emm.. I like the way the cats kingdom's king - what's his name? - says 'purrfect!'

[Shirubi]

I read 'bout that movie in my Newtype issue! It looks really good, and I really want to see it.

[Teahouse Keeper]

Yeah, there's something really special about Miyazaki's art and stories. They speak to the heart.

But The Cat Returns is not Miyazaki's work. It's his studio that did it but the director is someone else called Hiroyuki Morita. I like the cool and suave Baron who looks something like Sherlock Holmes in his outfit But somehow, I feel that Cat Returns lacks the power of Miyazaki's work. Although Cat Returns is good and I like watching it a lot, it's just seems to lack something.

Also, Grave Of The Fireflies was done by someone else although it came from Ghibli Studios. Written and directed by Isao Takahata.

Whoa!! Urude has seen so many Miyazaki's movies. I've only watched Laputa, Totoro (VERY cute creature), Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Kiki's Delivery Service.

Howl's Moving Castle is coming soon to my place. Feb 28. Will be watching it even though I feel that the old woman in the poster looks too much like Zeniba in Spirited Away Well, this may be Miyazaki's last work since he's always wanting to retire. He actually wanted to retire after Spirited Away and groom younger directors to take his place in Ghibli.

But I think nobody will ever be able to take over from him. His vision is unique and I think nobody will see things the way he does, or approach a project the same way he does.

When will you guys be seeing Howl's?

Mmm....The fat king in Cat Returns? Hahaha.....Yeah, he's very funny with different coloured eyes that look crazy. His son has the colour of his eyes. Mmm....I don't think the king has a name, Pippichan. He's the King Just call him Your Majesty

[Shirubi]

Don't know whenever it comes out, I guess.
Which sucks...T_T