Mamoru Hosoda

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

I've....honestly never found much appeal in Miyazaki's work, myself. I respect the guy as a great creator, but I've always felt that there was a certain "human" element missing from his work (for me, personally). I think Hosoda manages to deliver that perfect balance of family entertainment that I crave from Japanese animation, and despite his limited body of work, he has churned out arguably 3 of the greatest feature-length animated films from the past decade (and that's 3 in a row).

Our War Game was pretty much the best thing to come out of Digimon Adventure. Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island isn't a great film, but it's above average for a licensed, non-canon shounen affair, and then we have Hosoda's current trifecta of masterpieces (IMO): The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and Wolf Children.

Discuss.

[Daikun]

Why isn't he taking over Studio Ghibli? I think he'd be a better successor than Miyazaki's son.

[Spark Of Spirit]

But where's his Pom Poko, Ensatsu-ken? Where's his Pom Poko?

[Daikun]

His next movie has been announced.

EDIT: Also, should this thread be moved to the Anime board? I think it might be more fitting there...

[Spark Of Spirit]

Good question. Moved.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

This totally looks up my alley, and I love the last 3 feature-length Hosoda films. Color me super excited for this new project. I love his ability to create a highly stylized story yet flesh it out with great substance, usually in the form of important family values.

[LumRanmaYasha]

FUNi has already licensed The Boy and the Beast. In addition, they plan to release it in U.S. theaters for a limited run at the end of this year and give it a wide release in early 2016.

Wow, they have a lot of faith in the film. Hosoda's track record is great, so I'm hoping the film meets expectations and then some.

[Spark Of Spirit]

Hosoda deserves the push here. I just hope i'm able to see it in theater.

[gunswordfist]

Hosoda deserves the push here. I just hope i'm able to see it in theater.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

Well, would you believe that I'm more excited to see a foreign animated film in theaters this holiday season than I am to see the new Star Wars movie? Because I totally am. And I'm saying that as someone who's genuinely hoping for the new Star Wars to be great.

Anyways, you've done good, FUNi, and I just know that the film will receive a quality English dub.

[LumRanmaYasha]

Well, would you believe that I'm more excited to see a foreign animated film in theaters this holiday season than I am to see the new Star Wars movie?

Yes, because you've said as much at least a dozen times since the movie was first announced. 

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

Only a dozen? I need to hammer that point in harder until everyone knows that I'm right....and also to remind people that this movie even exists.

[Spark Of Spirit]

The Boy & the Beast is Hosoda's highest grossing film to date.

I'm really eager to see this one still.

[LumRanmaYasha]

FUNimation recently made a great mini-documentary about Hosoda's films. It describes his strengths as a director really well.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

Best advertisement for the FUNimation Blu-Ray sets of Hosoda films ever!

No, seriously, I'm going to have to splurge on these now.