The Tale of The Princess Kaguya

This is one of many purchases I have made of a GKIDS Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack of a Ghibli release in the past month. The movies themselves are wonderful, and a desire to see the complete works of Miyazaki was the primary driver for my little spending spree (along with my wife).The problem is that whoever is responsible for storing, packing and shipping these things is sending copies that have certain physical characteristics that seem to indicate that perhaps the copies you are receiving are not genuinely new. Princess Kaguya came in a Blu-Ray case with a piece missing from the hinge that opens the case, and the bond holding the case itself together fraying to the point in which if you opened it too wide or too frequently it would snap in half. I now have to be careful to ensure my supposedly new Blu-Ray that I paid 15 dollars for doesn't have its case snap in half.It's also worth noting that the little ad insert (for Song of the Sea) is clearly bent and warped.This is not the only GKIDs Ghibli combo pack that I have experienced these types of problems with, but I will stay on topic. I just feel that if you are the sole source of legal purchases for these films and therefore are able to charge a premium for them, then perhaps the physical quality of the packaging should match.Movies are great though. Best ever.

Simply put, I did not much care for this movie & no one is more disappointed in my saying that than me. It was just a bit too poetic folktale for me. Though it did have its moments, & the entire film is absolutely beautiful visually! The voice acting was quite strong too, but it just did not possess any of the usual Ghibli magic that one comes to expect from anything with their name attached.Side note: It’s rated PG & says it has some nudity, but specifically there’s a couple rather awkward closeups of nipples & some baby & small child bits. There are also some suggestive & uncomfortable moments involving very old men propositioning a very young girl, which yes, was time-appropriate. Regardless, just some things to be aware of.

I'm writing this review to give thanks to Isao Takahata. This is the kind of movie that you can't make sense out of with your mind. It speaks the language of the heart and soul. The story is simple and so are the visuals. But it's just the movie that will stay with you forever. And why? how? You can't pin it down with words. The star-seed/wanderer phenomenon in the last century comes to mind. Higher-density beings coming down to Earth to know what it's like, to expand in love, to learn, to grow. Orphaned from their past by the veil of forgetfulness that comes with every Earth-human incarnation. Experiencing great joy, bliss, and heart-break. Suffering and calling out to their original home. A sense of losing who their sense of self and sense of why they're here--their mission. Wanting to end it all. Wanting to go home wherever that is. Feeling incredibly lost. Then remembering. Slowly. Slowly. Finding themselves again. Archangel Metatron said, if you go with unfinished business, you will just come back. And I believe Kaguya will still come back and do it again, and do it better by asserting herself, speaking up, choosing her greatest happiness, choosing that life with Sutemaru..in another lifetime.

The box itself says that it's a "Staggering Masterpiece" and it honestly left me staggering at many points and left me wishing I understood more of the cultural and historical context, and more about the original story.The whole movie is steeped in cultural references, for example just a few minutes into the movie there are references to growing seasons, and when things bloom, the Bamboo Cutter says "I've never seen a Bamboo shoot before the plum blossoms," and the movie illustrates the passage of time though what's blooming, something unfamiliar to those of us in the US. Even still, the movie explains much of the nuance of the time through Princess Kaguya's instructor so it doesn't leave you lost.I do greatly appreciate many of the feminist undertones throughout the movie, one of the reasons I wish I'd been more familiar with the original, as they're powerful denouncements of the traditional Japanese way of thinking. My jaw dropped when I head Kaguya's reaction to her teacher in the middle of the movie.The art style, as mentioned in many other reviews, is truly unique, and masterfully rendered. What caught my eye was the use of the background as another way of expressing emotion in the scene. It's sparse during the melancholy times, and rich during the more joyful times. Of course, the attention to detail remains as with any Ghibli film. Little Bamboo struggling to carry two bamboo shoots, sets one down, and misses the basket trying to put one in the first time.Some say the movie's melancholy is unusual for Ghibli, but I feel melancholy is present many films, punctuated by a deep sense of loss, even when wrapped in hope and happiness. Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and of course the Wind Rises are perfect examples of this.

An adaptation of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" from the director of "Grave of the Fireflies" and "Only Yesterday" this is one of Ghibli's best. The art-style as best as I can describe it is a modern take on classical Japanese masterpieces using watercolor and color pencil. This film is beautiful. There is a powerful scene, a part of which you can see in the trailer, where our princess runs away and the style becomes abstract and messy to reflect her emotion and it is goosebumpsingly gorgeous.A part of me wants the pacing to be faster, the scenes to be shorter, the plot to be tighter; but another part of me wants to see this art and animation for as long as possible. Oftentimes Ghibli is called the "Disney of Japan" undeservingly so but apt for this film. I imagine that future generations will look at this movie like we in the west look back on "Sleeping Beauty", "The Little Mermaid", or "Mulan" as adaptations of fairy and folktales that are cultural touchstones.

Simply one of the best animated films I have ever seen. Takes liberties with the original story to stretch it out to feature-length, but they work well. Visually stunning to behold, and animated so lovingly. For once, the English dub *isn't* cringe-worthy, with a lot of famous actors putting noticeable effort into their roles. I still can't believe Big Hero 6 beat this out for best animated film at the Oscars.

I discovered Studio Ghibli because of this film. Beautifully hand drawn, magical. Since then have seen more Studio Ghibli films - honestly they knock the trite rubbish Disney puts out these days into a cocked hat. Wonderful tales with a message for adults and children alike, and no money grabbing expensive merchandise either!

Another great Ghibli film! This one is based on the tale of the bamboo cutter.A much more sketchy art style than you may be used to. Personally I love everything Ghibli, but watch the trailer online first if you're unsure. It's very different from Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away and Kiki's Delivery Service (which were all directed by Hayao Miyazaki - whereas Kaguya was directed by Isao Takahata, the director of Grave of the Fireflies and Only Yesterday), and although not my favourite Ghibli film it is still wonderful.

A masterpiece of cinema with a gorgeous art style, and a tale that is captivating and inspiring. The wonderful thing about Ghibli is the heart that's put in to every story that is told, each unique yet containing the familiar magic. If you love Studio Ghibli this film will become a favourite.The Collector Edition looks beatiful and came well packaged and in perfect condition, arriving on release from Amazon.

Fantastic story-line for those who like Japanese anime.