For decades now, Studio Ghibli has been capturing its viewers' imagination with flawless animation, mature but still innocent stories, and iconic characters. Since the early days of the studio with films like My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies, Hayao Miyazaki helped usher in some of Japan's best stories.
As Studio Ghibli continued to grow in popularity, Miyazaki passed the torch to some other directors that have worked on other films. A couple of the films from these creators were Whisper of the Heart by Yoshifummi Kondo and The Cat Returns by Hiroyuki Morita (while both have cats, they are not related). The movies were an instant success, and it's because of that recognized success, the people over at Shout! Factory have decided to offer a special version of both films.
According to the company, both films will be joining the Studio Ghibli Limited Edition Steelbook collection, which includes hits like Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away. The films will also come with some great special features like exclusive booklets, behind the scenes videos, and storyboards! The cases, which have been designed with beautiful simplicity, feature an image of the film overlayed with a solid color that reflects beautifully in the sun.
While the films won't release until next spring, the movies are a highly anticipated addition for fans of the studio and its films. We would love to hear your thoughts on the news and if you will be picking them up when they become available, in the comments below!
Haru is walking home after a dreary day of school when she spies a cat with a small gift box in its mouth crossing a busy street, and she jumps in front of traffic to save the cat from an oncoming truck. To her amazement, the cat gets up on its hind legs, brushes itself off , and thanks her very politely. But things take an even stranger turn when later that night, the King of Cats shows up at her doorstep in a feline motorcade. He showers Haru with gifts, and decrees that she shall marry the Prince and come live in the Kingdom of Cats!
A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a quiet schoolgirl, on a quest for her true talent. Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on a life-changing adventure that takes her beyond the boundaries of her imagination. This beautiful tale based on a screenplay from Hayao Miyazaki will delight and amaze audiences of all ages!
The Cat Returns and Whisper of the Heart limited edition steelbooks will be available on Blu-ray and DVD through Shout! Factory on March 16, 2021!