The Studio Ghibli film library will be available this month on digital download-to-own. Images courtesy of GKIDS. © Studio Ghibli

Coveted Animation Collection Available For Digital Download-To-Own In The U.S. And Canada On December 17e Source: GKIDS Inc., 42 WEST press release Special Thanks to Ashley Simon GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced today that it will release the catalogue of Japan’s legendary, Oscar-winning animation house, Studio Ghibli, for digital download-to-own in the United States and Canada on December 17, 2019. Films will be available to purchase in both English and Japanese languages on all major digital transactional platforms including Apple TV, Amazon VOD, Vudu, Google Play, Sony, Microsoft and FandangoNow. This marks the first time the Studio Ghibli films will be available for digital transactional anywhere in the world. GKIDS previously announced an exclusive US streaming deal with HBO Max for the Studio Ghibli library starting in May 2020. Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike over the last 30 years with beloved stories and breathtaking visuals. Under the brilliance of visionary animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki, the studio’s films have won countless international awards, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for SPIRITED AWAY, as well as four additional Academy Award nominations for HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, THE WIND RISES, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA, and WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE. Director and studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki was separately given an Honorary Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards in 2014, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will pay tribute to his artwork with a special exhibit when the Museum opens in 2020. The Studio Ghibli acclaimed catalogue of films released for digital download-to-own includes: CASTLE IN THE SKY (???????? Tenkuu no Shiro Rapyuta, 1986) THE CAT RETURNS (?????, Neko no Ongaeshi, 2002) FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (???????, Kokuriko-zaka Kara, 2011) HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (???????, Hauru no Ugoku Shiro, 2004) KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE (??????, Majo no Takky?bin, 1989) MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS (??????????????, H?hokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun, 1999) MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (???????, Tonari no Totoro, 1988) NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (????????, Kaze no Tani no Naushika, 1984) OCEAN WAVES (??????, Umi ga Kikoeru, 1993) ONLY YESTERDAY (????????, Omoide Poro Poro, 1991) POM POKO (???????? ?????????, Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pompoko, 1994) PONYO (???????, Gake no Ue no Ponyo, 2008) PORCO ROSSO (???, Kurenai no Buta, 1992) PRINCESS MONONOKE (?????, Mononoke Hime, 1997) THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) SPIRITED AWAY (????????, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, 2001) THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA (???????, Kaguyahime no Monogatari, 2013) TALES FROM EARTHSEA (????, Gedo Senki, 2006) WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE (????????, Omoide no M?n?, 2014) WHISPER OF THE HEART (??????, Mimi o Sumaseba, 1995) THE WIND RISES (????, Kaze Tachinu, 2013) -- Available Q3 2020 Starting December 17, the Studio Ghibli catalogue will be available to own digitally in HD for the suggested retail price of $19.99 per film. A six-film bundle of some of the studio’s most popular titles, featuring HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, PONYO, PRINCESS MONONOKE, and SPIRITED AWAY, will be offered by platforms for a suggested retail price of $99.99.

About Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and is one of the most successful and well-respected animation studios in the world. Cultivating a creative force of talented directors, animators, and storytellers under the revered brilliance of Miyazaki and Takahata, Studio Ghibli’s films have been praised for their originality, dazzling animation, and epic storytelling. The films have become a beloved part of Japanese popular culture, and have garnered worldwide acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Hayao Miyazaki’s SPIRITED AWAY won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature of 2002 and in 2005 Miyazaki was named one of “the most influential people” by Time Magazine.

About GKIDS

GKIDS is a producer and distributor of award-winning feature animation for both adult and family audiences. Since 2010, the company has scored an astounding nine Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations with THE SECRET OF KELLS in 2010, A CAT IN PARIS and CHICO & RITA in 2012, ERNEST & CELESTINE in 2014, THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA and SONG OF THE SEA in 2015, BOY AND THE WORLD and WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE in 2016, MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI in 2017, and most recently, THE BREADWINNER in 2018. GKIDS also handles North American distribution for the famed Studio Ghibli library of films, one of the world’s most coveted animation collections with titles SPIRITED AWAY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, PRINCESS MONONOKE and others. GKIDS recently launched ANIMATION IS FILM, an annual LA-based film festival. The second edition takes place October 19-21 at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. ANIMATION IS FILM embraces the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form and is a vocal advocate for filmmakers who push the boundaries of their work to the fullest range of expression that the medium is capable of.