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.
Why isn't he taking over Studio Ghibli? I think he'd be a better successor than Miyazaki's son.
But where's his Pom Poko, Ensatsu-ken? Where's his Pom Poko?
His next movie has been announced. (http://www.toonzone.net/2014/12/mamoru-hosodas-next-film-boy-beast)
EDIT: Also, should this thread be moved to the Anime board? I think it might be more fitting there...
Good question. Moved.
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.
FUNi has already licensed The Boy and the Beast. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-15/funimation-licenses-hosoda-the-boy-and-the-beast-film/.88216) 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.
Hosoda deserves the push here. I just hope i'm able to see it in theater.
Quote from: Spark Of Spirit on May 15, 2015, 04:17:10 PM
Hosoda deserves the push here. I just hope i'm able to see it in theater.
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.
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on May 15, 2015, 06:25:05 PM
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. :il_hahaha:
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. :humhumhum:
The Boy & the Beast is Hosoda's highest grossing film to date. (http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/08/25-1/the-boy-and-the-beast-becomes-mamoru-hosodas-top-grossing-film)
I'm really eager to see this one still.
FUNimation recently made a great mini-documentary about Hosoda's films. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY8-B9IBqQU) It describes his strengths as a director really well.
Best advertisement for the FUNimation Blu-Ray sets of Hosoda films ever!
No, seriously, I'm going to have to splurge on these now. :drool:
GKIDS has licensed MIRAI and is releasing it this Fall. (https://www.toonzone.net/gkids-release-mamoru-hosodas-mirai-north-america-fall-2018)
(https://cdn.animenewsnetwork.com/thumbnails/max700x700/cms/interest.2/183386/mei.jpg)
I love this!
I also loved Belle in general. It's a risky move to crypt a good chunk of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in your second act, and I'm not entirely sure that it worked, but it's a nice movie that's big on emotions and has genuinely impressive animation. Still need to see Turning Red, though.