Ponyo (aka Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea) gets its theatrical release this week. The film is directed by the legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli. (You may have seen other films from Studio Ghibli including My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.) What makes this film truly amazing is that it is hand drawn unlike most animated films these days. Hayao Miyazaki drew the waves and sea himself. 80% of the movie take place in water. They man’s got skills.

The last Miyazaki film “Spirited Away” came to the US, but didn’t do well in the US Box Office even though it was backed by Disney and Pixar’s John Lasseter. For the Ponyo release, we’ve seen some changes in strategy. The film is again dubbed for the US market, but there are more well known stars voicing the characters (Tina Fey, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson) and more advertising touting that fact. Hope Ponyo does well in the US box office. Get ticket here.

Ponyo Teaser