Studio Ghibli to close

Totoro animators say goodbye.

by Jennie Kermode

Totoro
Totoro

Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio behind such favourites as My Neighbour Totoro, Ponyo and Spirited Away, is to close, it was confirmed today. The news follows rumours that emerged Wednesday to the effect that the business was in financial trouble and unlikely to survive. Producer Toshio Suzuki said that the anime department will be dismantled, though existing films will continue to be distributed.

The move will come as a big disappointment for anime fans worldwide, and especially for those currently enjoying Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, Omoide No Marnie (When Marnie Was There), which opened in Japan last month.

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