The renowned Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, creator of beloved films like “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away,” has been acquired by Nippon TV after facing challenges in finding a successor for its legendary co-founder and director, Hayao Miyazaki.
The board of directors of both companies convened and endorsed a resolution on Thursday, greenlighting Nippon TV’s acquisition of Studio Ghibli shares, rendering it a subsidiary of the television network. The financial details of the deal remain undisclosed.
A joint statement by the companies acknowledged the ongoing struggle to identify successors for the aging Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki. With Miyazaki, 82, and Suzuki, 75, the studio faced a succession conundrum. Miyazaki’s eldest son, also an animation film director, was suggested as a potential successor but declined, citing the difficulty of taking over Ghibli alone and expressing a preference to leave the studio’s future to someone else.
The future of Studio Ghibli has been uncertain for years, especially after Miyazaki announced his retirement in 2013.
is return from retirement for his final film, “The Boy and the Heron,” released this year, prompted further consideration of the studio’s succession plan.
While Studio Ghibli explored various candidates, discussions with Nippon TV ensued, leading to the partnership. Nippon TV and Studio Ghibli have a longstanding collaboration, with the former broadcasting Ghibli films, investing in movie productions, and contributing to the Ghibli Museum.
Under the new arrangement, Nippon TV becomes the largest Ghibli shareholder with 42.3% of the voting rights. Studio Ghibli, known for its hand-drawn animation and commitment to traditional frame-by-frame methods, has been a cultural icon since its founding in 1985. Miyazaki’s films, blending fantasy with environmentalism, feminism, and anti-war themes, have garnered global acclaim, with “Spirited Away” winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003.
The joint statement expressed gratitude to audiences for their support of “The Boy and the Heron” but acknowledged the succession challenge. Nippon TV aims to protect Ghibli’s craftsmanship and brand values while allowing the studio autonomy to focus on filmmaking.
