When you think of Studio Ghibli the first thing you’ll probably also think of is Hayao Miyazaki, the director of movies like My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Princes Mononoke and Howl´s Moving Castle. But he started the studio together with Isao Takahata. Takahata was responsible for the heartbreaking Grave of the Fireflies. Does he manage to get out the same sort of emotions with The Tale of the Princess Kaguya?
A bamboocutter who is out working, unexpectedly discovers a tiny girl in one of the bamboo pieces. He decides to take her home with him. Together with his wife they take care of the child, which doesn’t only learn quickly but also grows at an extremely fast rate. When the father makes another discovery while working with bamboo, he sees that as a sign that his “daughter” is special. He decides he’s willing to do anything for her to make her a princess and is willing to give everything up for her. Kaguya herself has trouble adjusting and the demands that come with becoming a princess. When she finally receives the title various men want to marry her, but the princess isn’t interested. She thinks of impossible tasks for the men so she can do what she wants, but there is something else she doesn’t know about.
The way the movie is drawn really stands out. The water paint drawing look relatively simple, but the result is a very unique look. The movie is over two hours and because of the speed of the story feels slightly too long. Although I was able to enjoy it I don’t think younger viewer would probably get bored. Still this is another great example of the might of Studio Ghibli when it comes to animation.
