It’s finally happening: a new Hayao Miyazaki film is on the release slate. A decade on from his supposed retirement (2013’s incredible The Wind Rises was intended as his swansong), the Studio Ghibli co-founder is about to unveil a brand new feature film – one that’s been long-gestating in the studio. Little has been known about the project, other than awed whispers of its ambition and devotion to tradition hand-drawn animation techniques – but now, according to the official Studio Ghibli social media accounts, it’s preparing for release next summer.
The teaser poster features a bird-like creature drawn in a gorgeous pencil style – and the accompanying caption confirms it’s set for a cinema release in Japan from 14 July next year. For a while now, the film’s English-language name has been reported as How Do You Live, though that here is dubbed a ‘tentative title’ – expect that to possibly change by the time it reaches UK shores. On that front, it remains to be seen how quickly the film will release internationally after its July release in Japan. It can take a while for anime films to receive distribution around the world, so here’s hoping it makes its way to our screens before 2024.
Either way, it’ll be worth the wait – a bonus work from an all-time master of the form, the man whose mind gave us My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo and more. This, plus the Zen – Grogu And Dust Bunnies surprise short that hit Disney+ a few weeks ago? Studio Ghibli is alive and well.
