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{{tab
{{Infobox|Box title = The Tale of Princess Kaguya|caption = North American theatrical release poster|Row 1 title = Directed by|Row 1 info = [[Isao Takahata]]|Row 2 title = Produced by|Row 2 info = [[Yoshiaki Nishimura]]
 
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|back color = white |font color = black
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|height = 2.2 |max width = 20
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|tab1 = Overview |link1 = The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
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|tab2 = Characters |link2 = :Category:The Tale of the Princess Kaguya characters
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|tab3 = Gallery |link3 = The Tale of the Princess Kaguya/Gallery
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}}
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{{Infobox film
  +
| name = The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
  +
| image =
  +
<gallery>File:The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.jpg
  +
</gallery>
  +
| caption = Japanese theatrical release poster
  +
| kanji = かぐや姫の物語
  +
| romaji = ''Kaguya-hime no Monogatari''
  +
| director = [[Isao Takahata]]
  +
| producer = [[Yoshiaki Nishimura]]
  +
| writer =
  +
| screenplay = Isao Takahata<br>
  +
Riko Sakaguchi <small>(ja)</small>
  +
| story =
  +
| based on = ''The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter''
  +
| narrator =
  +
| starring = Aki Asakura <small>(Wikidata)</small><br>
 
Kengo Kora<br>
 
Takeo Chii<br>
  +
Nobuko Miyamoto
  +
| music = [[Joe Hisaishi]]
  +
| cinematography = Keisuke Nakamura
  +
| artdirector =
  +
| editing = Toshihiko Kojima
  +
| studio =
  +
| production = [[Studio Ghibli]]
  +
| distributor = [[Toho]]
  +
| released = 23 November 2013
  +
| runtime = 137 minutes
  +
| country = Japan
  +
| language = Japanese
  +
| budget = ¥5 billion<br>
  +
(US$49.3 million)
  +
| gross = ¥2.5 billion<br>
  +
(US$24.2 million)
  +
}}
   
 
'''''The Tale of the Princess Kaguya''''' (Japanese: かぐや姫の物語 Hepburn: ''Kaguya-hime no Monogatari'' ) is a 2013 Japanese animated fantasy drama film produced by Studio Ghibli and directed and co-written by [[Isao Takahata]], based on the folktale ''The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter''. It is Takahata's fifth and final film for [[Studio Ghibli]], and his first since ''[[My Neighbors the Yamadas]]'' (1999). It was released on November 23, 2013.
[[Toshio Suzuki]]
 
   
 
The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards.
[[Seiichiro Ujiie]]|Row 3 title = Written by|Row 3 info = [[Isao Takahata]]
 
   
[[Riko Sakaguchi]]|Row 4 title = Based on|Row 4 info = [[The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter]]|Row 5 title = Starring|Row 5 info = [[Aki Asakura]]
 
 
[[Kengo Kora]]
 
 
[[Takeo Chii]]
 
 
[[Nobuko Miyamoto]]|Row 6 title = Music by|Row 6 info = [[Joe Hisaishi]]|Row 7 title = Production
 
company|Row 7 info = [[Studio Ghibli]]|Row 8 title = Distributed by|Row 8 info = [[Toho]]|Row 9 title = Release dates|Row 9 info = 23 November 2013 (Japan)|Row 10 title = Running time|Row 10 info = 137 minutes|image = File:Kaguya-0.jpg|Image file = Poster.jpg}}'''''The Tale of the Princess Kaguya''''' (Japanese: かぐや姫の物語 Hepburn: ''Kaguya-hime no Monogatari'' ) is a 2013 Japanese animated fantasy drama film produced by Studio Ghibli and directed and co-written by [[Isao Takahata]], based on the folktale ''The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter''. It is Takahata's fifth film for [[Studio Ghibli]], and his first
 
 
since ''[[My Neighbors the Yamadas]]'' (1999). It was released on November 23, 2013.
 
 
The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards.
 
[[File:Poster-1.jpg|none|thumb|639x639px]]
 
   
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
[[File:Baby.gif|thumb|152x152px|Princess [[Kaguya]] as a baby trying to lie down on tummy]]
+
[[File:Baby Kaguya.gif|thumb|152x152px|Princess [[Kaguya]] as a baby trying to lie down on tummy]]
A bamboo cutter named Sanuki no [[Miyatsuko]] discovers a miniature girl inside a glowing bamboo shoot. Believing her to be a divine presence, [[Miyatsuko]] and his wife decide to raise her as their own, calling her "Princess". The girl grows rapidly and conspicuously, marveling her parents and earning her the nickname "Takenoko" (Little Bamboo) from the other children in the village. [[Sutemaru]], the oldest among [[Kaguya]]'s friends, develops a particularly close relationship with her.
+
A bamboo cutter named Sanuki no [[Miyatsuko]] discovers a miniature girl inside a glowing bamboo shoot. Believing her to be a divine presence, Miyatsuko and his wife decide to raise her as their own, calling her "Princess". The girl grows rapidly and conspicuously, marveling her parents and earning her the nickname "Takenoko" (Little Bamboo) from the other children in the village. [[Sutemaru]], the oldest among [[Kaguya]]'s friends, develops a particularly close relationship with her.
[[File:Ship it!.jpg|thumb|152x152px|''Princess [[Kaguya]] wrapping cloth around [[Sutemaru]]'s wounded arm.'']]
+
[[File:Kaguya and friend.jpg|thumb|152x152px|''Princess [[Kaguya]] wrapping cloth around [[Sutemaru]]'s wounded arm.'']]
[[Miyatsuko]] comes upon gold and fine cloth in the bamboo grove in the same way he found his daughter. He takes these as proof of her divine royalty and begins planning to make her a proper princess. He soon
+
Miyatsuko comes upon gold and fine cloth in the bamboo grove in the same way he found his daughter. He takes these as proof of her divine royalty and begins planning to make her a proper princess. He soon relocates the family to the capital, forcing her to leave her friends behind. She finds herself in a mansion, replete with servants and fine clothes. She is also saddled with a governess who is tasked with taming her into a proper noblewoman. She struggles with the restraints of nobility, arguing that life should be full of laughter and struggle.[[File:Running.gif|thumb|219x219px|''Princess [[Kaguya]] fleeing the capital'']]
 
When the girl comes of age, she is granted the formal name of "Princess [[Kaguya]]" for the light and life that radiates from her. Miyatsuko holds a celebration in commemoration of [[Kaguya]]'s naming. At the celebration, [[Kaguya]] overhears party-goers ridiculing her father's attempts to turn a peasant girl into a noble through money. [[Kaguya]] flees the capital in despair and runs back to the mountains, seeking [[Sutemaru]] and her other friends, but discovers that they have all moved away. [[Kaguya]] passes out in the snow and awakens back at the party.
 
relocates the family to the capital, forcing her to leave her friends behind. She finds herself in a mansion, replete with servants and fine clothes. She is also saddled with a governess who is tasked with taming her into a proper noblewoman. She struggles with the restraints of nobility, arguing that life should be full of laughter and struggle.
 
[[File:Running.gif|thumb|219x219px|''Princess [[Kaguya]] fleeing the capital'']]
 
When the girl comes of age, she is granted the formal name of "Princess [[Kaguya]]" for the light and life that radiates from her. [[Miyatsuko]] holds a celebration in commemoration of [[Kaguya]]'s naming. At the celebration, [[Kaguya]] overhears party-goers ridiculing her father's attempts to turn a peasant girl into a noble through money. [[Kaguya]] flees the capital in despair and runs back to the mountains, seeking [[Sutemaru]] and her other friends, but discovers that they have all moved away. [[Kaguya]] passes out in the snow and awakens back at the party.
 
 
[[File:Suitors.jpg|thumb|220x220px|''Suitors of Princess [[Kaguya]]'']]
 
[[File:Suitors.jpg|thumb|220x220px|''Suitors of Princess [[Kaguya]]'']]
 
[[Kaguya]] grows in beauty, attracting scores of would-be suitors. Five men of noble standing court her, comparing her to mythical treasures. Not wanting to marry any of them, Kaguya tells them she will only marry whoever can bring her the mythical treasure mentioned. Two suitors unsuccessfully attempt to persuade her with counterfeits. The third abandons his conquest out of cowardice, and the fourth attempts to woo her with flattering lies and a promise of life in the countryside. When one of the men is killed in his quest, [[Kaguya]] falls into depression. Eventually, the Emperor himself takes notice of her. Taken with her beauty, he makes advances toward her, revolting her. [[Kaguya]] then demonstrates the ability to disappear at will, surprising the Emperor. Understanding that he has been too forward, the Emperor takes his leave, determined to still make [[Kaguya]] his.
 
[[Kaguya]] grows in beauty, attracting scores of would-be suitors. Five men of noble standing court her, comparing her to mythical treasures. Not wanting to marry any of them, Kaguya tells them she will only marry whoever can bring her the mythical treasure mentioned. Two suitors unsuccessfully attempt to persuade her with counterfeits. The third abandons his conquest out of cowardice, and the fourth attempts to woo her with flattering lies and a promise of life in the countryside. When one of the men is killed in his quest, [[Kaguya]] falls into depression. Eventually, the Emperor himself takes notice of her. Taken with her beauty, he makes advances toward her, revolting her. [[Kaguya]] then demonstrates the ability to disappear at will, surprising the Emperor. Understanding that he has been too forward, the Emperor takes his leave, determined to still make [[Kaguya]] his.
   
 
[[Kaguya]] reveals to her parents that she originally came from the Moon. When the Emperor made his advances, she silently begged the Moon to help her and learned the truth: Once a resident of the Moon, she broke its laws, hoping to be exiled to Earth, so that she could experience mortal life. Now having heard her prayer, the Moon will reclaim her during the next full moon. [[Kaguya]] confesses her attachment to Earth and her reluctance to leave.
 
[[Kaguya]] reveals to her parents that she originally came from the Moon. When the Emperor made his advances, she silently begged the Moon to help her and learned the truth: Once a resident of the Moon, she broke its laws, hoping to be exiled to Earth, so that she could experience mortal life. Now having heard her prayer, the Moon will reclaim her during the next full moon. [[Kaguya]] confesses her attachment to Earth and her reluctance to leave.
[[File:Huggy!!! X3.gif|thumb|225x225px|''Princess [[Kaguya]] embraces [[Sutemaru]] whilst flying in the air'']]
+
[[File:Princess Kaguya flying in air.gif|thumb|225x225px|''Princess [[Kaguya]] embraces [[Sutemaru]] whilst flying in the air'']]
[[Miyatsuko]] swears to protect [[Kaguya]] and begins assembling defensive forces. [[Kaguya]] returns to her hometown in the mountains once more. She finds [[Sutemaru]] and tells him she would have been happiest with him; [[Sutemaru]] vows to protect her, and they fly through the air together. When the Moon shines upon [[Kaguya]], she begs [[Sutemaru]] to hold her tightly. Despite [[Sutemaru]]'s best efforts, [[Kaguya]] is torn from his grasp out of the sky. He awakens alone in a field, and convinced that it had been a dream, returns to his wife and child.
+
Miyatsuko swears to protect [[Kaguya]] and begins assembling defensive forces. [[Kaguya]] returns to her hometown in the mountains once more. She finds [[Sutemaru]] and tells him she would have been happiest with him; [[Sutemaru]] vows to protect her, and they fly through the air together. When the Moon shines upon [[Kaguya]], she begs [[Sutemaru]] to hold her tightly. Despite [[Sutemaru]]'s best efforts, [[Kaguya]] is torn from his grasp out of the sky. He awakens alone in a field, and convinced that it had been a dream, returns to his wife and child.
  +
 
On the night of the full moon, a procession of celestial beings descends from the Moon, and Miyatsuko is unable to stop it. An attendant offers [[Kaguya]] a robe that will erase her memories of Earth. [[Kaguya]] begs the attendant to grant her a last moment with her parents.
 
[[File:Celestial beings.PNG|thumb|224x224px|''[[Celestial Beings]]'']]
 
The attendant assures her that upon returning to the Moon, she will be free of Earth's impurities. [[Kaguya]] rebuffs her, saying that Earth is full of wonder and life. The attendant then drapes the robe around [[Kaguya]], and she appears to forget about her life on Earth. The procession ascends to the Moon, leaving Miyatsuko and his wife distraught, as [[Kaguya]] looks back one last time with tears in her eyes.
   
 
== Voice Cast ==
On the night of the full moon, a procession of celestial beings descends from the Moon, and [[Miyatsuko]] is unable to stop it. An attendant offers [[Kaguya]] a robe that will erase her memories of Earth. [[Kaguya]] begs the attendant to grant her a last moment with her parents.
 
[[File:Celestial beings.PNG|thumb|224x224px|[[Celestial Beings|''Celestial Beings'']]]]
 
The attendant assures her that upon returning to the Moon, she will be free of Earth's impurities. [[Kaguya]] rebuffs her, saying that Earth is full of wonder and life. The attendant then drapes the robe around [[Kaguya]], and she appears to forget about her life on Earth. The procession ascends to the Moon, leaving [[Miyatsuko]] and his wife distraught, as [[Kaguya]] looks back one last time with tears in her eyes.
 
   
 
{| class="wikitable"
==Cast==
 
{| class="article-table"
 
!Character
 
!Japanese Cast
 
!English Dub Cast
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Character
|Princess [[Kaguya]]
 
 
! Japanese cast
|[http://asianwiki.com/Aki_Asakura Aki Asakura]
 
 
! English dub cast
|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1631269/ Chloë Grace Moretz]
 
[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4919693/ Caitlyn Leone] (young)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Sutemaru]]
+
| Princess [[Kaguya]]
  +
| [[Aki Asakura]]
|[http://asianwiki.com/Kengo_Kora Kengo Kora]
 
  +
| Chloë Grace Moretz<br />Caitlyn Leone (young)
|[[wikipedia:Darren_Criss|Darren Criss]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| [[Sutemaru]]
|The Bamboo Cutter ([[Miyatsuko]])
 
  +
| [[Kengo Kora]]
|[[wikipedia:Takeo_Chii|Takeo Chii]]
 
  +
| Darren Criss
|[[wikipedia:James_Caan|James Caan]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|The Bamboo Cutter's Wife ([[Ona]])
+
| The Bamboo Cutter
 
| [[Takeo Chii]]
|[http://asianwiki.com/Nobuko_Miyamoto Nobuko Miyamoto]
 
 
| [[James Caan]]
|[[wikipedia:Mary_Steenburgen|Mary Steenburgen]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| The Bamboo Cutter's Wife
|Lady [[Sagami]]
 
  +
| [[Nobuko Miyamoto]]
|[http://asianwiki.com/Atsuko_Takahata Atsuko Takahata]
 
 
| [[Mary Steenburgen]]
|[[wikipedia:Lucy_Liu|Lucy Liu]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Menowarawa]]
+
| Lady [[Sagami]]
  +
| [[Atsuko Takahata]]
|[http://asianwiki.com/Tomoko_Tabata Tomoko Tabata]
 
|[[Hynden Walch]]
+
| [[Lucy Liu]]
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Inbe no Akita]]
+
| [[Menowarawa]]
  +
| [[Tomoko Tabata]]
|[[wikipedia:Tatekawa_Shinosuke|Tatekawa Shinosuke]]
 
  +
| Hynden Walch
|[[George Segal]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Prince [[Ishitsukuri]]
+
| [[Inbe no Akita]]
 
| [[Tatekawa Shinosuke]]
|[http://asianwiki.com/Takaya_Kamikawa Takaya Kamikawa]
 
 
| George Segal
|[[James Marsden]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Prince [[Ishitsukuri]]
|[[Lord Minister of the Right Abe]]
 
  +
| [[Takaya Kamikawa]]
|[[wikipedia:Hikaru_Ijūin|Hikaru Ijūin]]
 
 
| James Marsden
|[[Oliver Platt]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Lord Minister of the Right Abe
|Great Counselor [[Otomo]]
 
 
| [[Hikaru Ijūin]]
|[http://asianwiki.com/Ryudo_Uzaki Ryudo Uzaki]
 
 
| Oliver Platt
|[[Daniel Dae Kim]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Great Counselor Otomo
|[[The Mikado]]
 
  +
| [[Ryudo Uzaki]]
|[[wikipedia:Nakamura_Shichinosuke_II|Nakamura Shichinosuke II]]
 
 
| Daniel Dae Kim
|[[Dean Cain]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| The Mikado
|Prince [[Kuramochi]]
 
 
| [[Nakamura Shichinosuke II]]
|[[Isao Hashizume]]
 
 
| Dean Cain
|[[Beau Bridges]]
 
  +
|-
  +
| Prince Kuramochi
 
| [[Isao Hashizume]]
 
| Beau Bridges
  +
|-
  +
| Middle Counselor Isonokami
  +
| Tamaki Kojo
  +
| John Cho
 
|}
 
|}
 
== Crew ==
 
 
=== '''English crew''' ===
 
* [[Jamie Simone]] - Voice Director
 
   
 
== Production ==
 
== Production ==
 
[[Studio Ghibli]] revealed that [[Isao Takahata]] was working on a feature-length film in 2008. [[Isao Takahata|Isao&nbsp;Takahata]] announced at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival in 2009 that he intended to direct a film based on the Japanese folktale ''The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter''.
 
[[Studio Ghibli]] revealed that [[Isao Takahata]] was working on a feature-length film in 2008. [[Isao Takahata|Isao&nbsp;Takahata]] announced at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival in 2009 that he intended to direct a film based on the Japanese folktale ''The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter''.
   
The release of ''[[The Tale of Princess Kaguya]]'' was finally confirmed by [[Studio Ghibli]] and distributor [[Toho]] on 13 December 2012. That same month, it was announced that [[Shin'ichirō Ikebe]] was to compose the film's score.
+
The release of ''The Tale of the Princess Kaguya'' was finally confirmed by [[Studio Ghibli]] and distributor [[Toho]] on 13 December 2012. That same month, it was announced that [[Shin'ichirō Ikebe]] was to compose the film's score.
   
On 4 February 2013, it was also announced that [[Joe Hisaishi]] would write the film's score, effectively replacing [[Ikebe]] as the film's composer. This is the first time that [[Joe Hisaishi]] has scored a film by [[Isao Takahata]].
+
On 4 February 2013, it was also announced that [[Joe Hisaishi]] would write the film's score, effectively replacing [[Ikebe]] as the film's composer. This is the first time that [[Joe Hisaishi]] has scored a film that is not directed by [[Hayao Miyazaki]], but by [[Isao Takahata]].
   
 
In May 2013, it was announced [[Kazumi Nikaidō]] (二階堂和美 ''Nikaidō Kazumi''<sup>?</sup>) would perform the film's theme song, "[[Inochi no Kioku]]" (いのちの記憶<sup>?</sup>, Memory of Life).
 
In May 2013, it was announced [[Kazumi Nikaidō]] (二階堂和美 ''Nikaidō Kazumi''<sup>?</sup>) would perform the film's theme song, "[[Inochi no Kioku]]" (いのちの記憶<sup>?</sup>, Memory of Life).
   
 
== Release ==
 
== Release ==
''[[The Tale of Princess Kaguya]]'' was initially announced to be released simultaneously with ''[[The Wind Rises]]'', another [[Studio Ghibli]] film by [[Hayao Miyazaki]] in Japan in the summer of 2013, which would have marked the first time that the works of the two directors were released together since the release of the films ''[[My Neighbor Totoro]]'' and ''[[Grave of the Fireflies]]'' in 1988. However, in February 2013, distributor [[Toho]] announced that the release of ''[[The Tale of Princess Kaguya]]'' would be delayed to Fall 2013, citing concerns that the storyboards were not yet complete.
+
''The Tale of the Princess Kaguya'' was initially announced to be released simultaneously with ''[[The Wind Rises]]'', another [[Studio Ghibli]] film by [[Hayao Miyazaki]] in Japan in the summer of 2013, which would have marked the first time that the works of the two directors were released together since the release of the films ''[[My Neighbor Totoro]]'' and ''[[Grave of the Fireflies]]'' in 1988. However, in February 2013, distributor [[Toho]] announced that the release of ''The Tale of the Princess Kaguya'' would be delayed to Fall 2013, citing concerns that the storyboards were not yet complete.
   
 
On March 12, 2014, independent distributor [[GKIDS]] announced that it had acquired the US rights for the film and that it would release an English dub version produced by [[Studio Ghibli]] and [[Frank Marshall]]. [[Chloë Grace Moretz]] is the voice of the title character in the English dub. It was released in select theatres in North America on October 17, 2014 and was also released on DVD and Blu-ray in Japan on December 3, 2014.
 
On March 12, 2014, independent distributor [[GKIDS]] announced that it had acquired the US rights for the film and that it would release an English dub version produced by [[Studio Ghibli]] and [[Frank Marshall]]. [[Chloë Grace Moretz]] is the voice of the title character in the English dub. It was released in select theatres in North America on October 17, 2014 and was also released on DVD and Blu-ray in Japan on December 3, 2014.
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== Reception ==
 
== Reception ==
 
=== Box office ===
 
=== '''Box office''' ===
 
 
The film debuted at first place during its opening weekend in Japan, producing ¥284 million (US$2.8 million). By February 2, 2014, the film had produced ¥2,313,602,733 (US$22,613,153) at the Japanese box office. The total production of the film worldwide was $24,149,665.
 
The film debuted at first place during its opening weekend in Japan, producing ¥284 million (US$2.8 million). By February 2, 2014, the film had produced ¥2,313,602,733 (US$22,613,153) at the Japanese box office. The total production of the film worldwide was $24,149,665.
   
=== '''Critical reception''' ===
+
=== Critical reception ===
In February 2014, ''[[The Tale of Princess Kaguya]]'' placed 4th in both Kinema Junpo's Best Ten and their Reader's Choice Awards.
+
In February 2014, ''The Tale of the Princess Kaguya'' placed 4th in both Kinema Junpo's Best Ten and their Reader's Choice Awards.
   
 
Reviews timed with the North American release have been overwhelmingly positive. David Ehrlich of ''The A.V. Club'' gave the film an A, deeming it "the best animated movie of the year," adding that it is "destined to be remembered as one of the revered [[Studio Ghibli]]’s finest achievements." Nicolas Rapold of ''The New York Times'' praised the artwork calling it "exquisitely drawn with both watercolor delicacy and a brisk sense of line."
 
Reviews timed with the North American release have been overwhelmingly positive. David Ehrlich of ''The A.V. Club'' gave the film an A, deeming it "the best animated movie of the year," adding that it is "destined to be remembered as one of the revered [[Studio Ghibli]]’s finest achievements." Nicolas Rapold of ''The New York Times'' praised the artwork calling it "exquisitely drawn with both watercolor delicacy and a brisk sense of line."
Line 128: Line 153:
 
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes assigned the film a score of 100% with an average rating of 8.3/10 based
 
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes assigned the film a score of 100% with an average rating of 8.3/10 based
   
on 78 reviews. The critics' consensus says, "Boasting narrative depth, frank honesty, and exquisite visual beauty, ''[[The Tale of Princess Kaguya]]'' is a modern animated treasure with timeless appeal."
+
on 78 reviews. The critics' consensus says, "Boasting narrative depth, frank honesty, and exquisite visual beauty, ''The Tale of the Princess Kaguya'' is a modern animated treasure with timeless appeal."
  +
==='''Accolades'''===
+
=== Accolades ===
 
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
 
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
 
|-
 
|-
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|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | 2013
 
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | 2013
| rowspan="2" | [[Blue Ribbon Awards|64th Blue Ribbon Award]]
+
| rowspan="2" | 64th Blue Ribbon Award
 
| Best Film
 
| Best Film
 
|
 
|
Line 148: Line 174:
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Mainichi Film Award|68th Mainichi Film Awards]]
+
| 68th Mainichi Film Awards
| [[Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation Film|Animation Film Award]]
+
| Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation Film
 
|
 
|
 
| won ✔
 
| won ✔
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="19" scope="row" | 2014
 
! rowspan="19" scope="row" | 2014
| [[Asia Pacific Screen Awards|8th Asia Pacific Screen Award]]
+
| 8th Asia Pacific Screen Award
| [[Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Animated Feature Film|Best Animated Feature Film]]
+
| Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Animated Feature Film
 
| Yoshiaki Nishimura
 
| Yoshiaki Nishimura
 
| won ✔
 
| won ✔
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[37th Japan Academy Prize]]
+
| rowspan="2" | 37th Japan Academy Prize
| [[Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year]]
+
| Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
Line 168: Line 194:
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Kinema Junpo|Kinema Junpo Awards]]
+
| Kinema Junpo Awards
 
| Best Film
 
| Best Film
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[2014 Cannes Film Festival|67th Cannes Film Festival]]
+
| rowspan="2" | 67th Cannes Film Festival
 
| Art Cinema Award (Directors' Fortnight)
 
| Art Cinema Award (Directors' Fortnight)
 
| Isao Takahata
 
| Isao Takahata
Line 182: Line 208:
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Fantastic Fest]]
+
| [antastic Fest
 
| Audience Award
 
| Audience Award
 
|
 
|
 
| won ✔
 
| won ✔
 
|-
 
|-
| [[San Sebastián International Film Festival|62nd San Sebastián International Film Festival]]
+
| 62nd San Sebastián International Film Festival
 
| Audience Award
 
| Audience Award
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Toronto International Film Festival|39th Toronto International Film Festival]]
+
| 39th Toronto International Film Festival
 
| People's Choice Award for Best Drama Feature Film
 
| People's Choice Award for Best Drama Feature Film
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Sitges Film Festival|47th Sitges Film Festival]]
+
| 47th Sitges Film Festival
 
| Best Animated Feature
 
| Best Animated Feature
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Mill Valley Film Festival|36th Mill Valley Film Festival]]
+
| 36th Mill Valley Film Festival
 
| Audience Award for Best Animated Film
 
| Audience Award for Best Animated Film
 
|
 
|
 
| won <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'LucidaGrande','LucidaSans',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:15px;text-align:center;">✔</span>
 
| won <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'LucidaGrande','LucidaSans',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:15px;text-align:center;">✔</span>
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Films from the South|18th Oslo Films from the South Festival]]
+
| 18th Oslo Films from the South Festival
 
| Best Feature
 
| Best Feature
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 2014|35th Boston Society of Film Critics Awards]]
+
| 35th Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
 
| Best Animated Film
 
| Best Animated Film
 
| Isao Takahata
 
| Isao Takahata
 
| won <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'LucidaGrande','LucidaSans',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:15px;text-align:center;">✔</span>
 
| won <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'LucidaGrande','LucidaSans',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:15px;text-align:center;">✔</span>
 
|-
 
|-
| [[2014 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards|40th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards]]
+
| 40th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Film]]
+
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film
 
| Isao Takahata
 
| Isao Takahata
 
| won <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'LucidaGrande','LucidaSans',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:15px;text-align:center;">✔</span>
 
| won <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'LucidaGrande','LucidaSans',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:15px;text-align:center;">✔</span>
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association]]
+
| Chicago Film Critics Association
 
| Best Animated Feature
 
| Best Animated Feature
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[San Francisco Film Critics Circle]]
+
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle
 
| Best Animated Feature
 
| Best Animated Feature
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Toronto Film Critics Association]]
+
| Toronto Film Critics Association
 
| Best Animated Feature
 
| Best Animated Feature
 
|
 
|
 
| won ✔
 
| won ✔
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Online Film Critics Society|18th Online Film Critics Society Awards]]
+
| rowspan="2" | 18th Online Film Critics Society Awards
| [[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Film]]
+
| Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]]
+
| Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2015
 
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2015
| rowspan="3" | [[42nd Annie Awards|42nd Annual Annie Awards]]
+
| rowspan="3" |42nd Annual Annie Awards
| [[Annie Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature]]
+
| Annie Award for Best Animated Feature
 
|
 
|
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Annie Award for Directing in an Animated Feature Production|Directing in an Animated Feature Production]]
+
| Annie Award for Directing in an Animated Feature Production
 
| Isao Takahata
 
| Isao Takahata
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Annie Award for Music in a Feature Production|Music in a Feature Production]]
+
| Annie Award for Music in a Feature Production
 
| Joe Hisaishi
 
| Joe Hisaishi
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| [[87th Academy Awards]]
+
| 87th Academy Awards|87th Academy Awards
| [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature Film]]
+
| Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
 
| Isao Takahata, Yoshiaki Nishimura
 
| Isao Takahata, Yoshiaki Nishimura
 
| nominated
 
| nominated
 
|}
 
|}
  +
  +
== External links ==
  +
*[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_tale_of_the_princess_kaguya/ The Tale of the Princess Kaguya] on ''Rotten Tomatoes''
  +
*[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-tale-of-princess-kaguya-2014 The Tale of The Princess Kaguya] on ''Roger Ebert.com''
  +
*[https://www.theverge.com/2014/10/17/6992413/the-tale-of-the-princess-kaguya-review The Tale of the Princess Kaguya] review on ''The Verge''
  +
*{{wp|The Tale of the Princess Kaguya}}
  +
*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2576852/ The Tale of the Princess Kaguya] on ''IMDB''
  +
  +
{{Films|collapsed}}
  +
{{Isao Takahata|collapsed}}
  +
[[Category:The Tale of the Princess Kaguya]]
 
[[Category:Films]]
 
[[Category:Films]]
 
[[Category:Films directed by Isao Takahata]]
 
[[Category:Films directed by Isao Takahata]]
[[Category:Films without Hayao Miyazaki]]
 

Revision as of 03:41, 22 September 2020

Overview
Gallery

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Japanese: かぐや姫の物語 Hepburn: Kaguya-hime no Monogatari ) is a 2013 Japanese animated fantasy drama film produced by Studio Ghibli and directed and co-written by Isao Takahata, based on the folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. It is Takahata's fifth and final film for Studio Ghibli, and his first since My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999). It was released on November 23, 2013.

The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards.


Plot

Baby Kaguya

Princess Kaguya as a baby trying to lie down on tummy

A bamboo cutter named Sanuki no Miyatsuko discovers a miniature girl inside a glowing bamboo shoot. Believing her to be a divine presence, Miyatsuko and his wife decide to raise her as their own, calling her "Princess". The girl grows rapidly and conspicuously, marveling her parents and earning her the nickname "Takenoko" (Little Bamboo) from the other children in the village. Sutemaru, the oldest among Kaguya's friends, develops a particularly close relationship with her.

Kaguya and friend

Princess Kaguya wrapping cloth around Sutemaru's wounded arm.

Miyatsuko comes upon gold and fine cloth in the bamboo grove in the same way he found his daughter. He takes these as proof of her divine royalty and begins planning to make her a proper princess. He soon relocates the family to the capital, forcing her to leave her friends behind. She finds herself in a mansion, replete with servants and fine clothes. She is also saddled with a governess who is tasked with taming her into a proper noblewoman. She struggles with the restraints of nobility, arguing that life should be full of laughter and struggle.

Running

Princess Kaguya fleeing the capital

When the girl comes of age, she is granted the formal name of "Princess Kaguya" for the light and life that radiates from her. Miyatsuko holds a celebration in commemoration of Kaguya's naming. At the celebration, Kaguya overhears party-goers ridiculing her father's attempts to turn a peasant girl into a noble through money. Kaguya flees the capital in despair and runs back to the mountains, seeking Sutemaru and her other friends, but discovers that they have all moved away. Kaguya passes out in the snow and awakens back at the party.

Suitors

Suitors of Princess Kaguya

Kaguya grows in beauty, attracting scores of would-be suitors. Five men of noble standing court her, comparing her to mythical treasures. Not wanting to marry any of them, Kaguya tells them she will only marry whoever can bring her the mythical treasure mentioned. Two suitors unsuccessfully attempt to persuade her with counterfeits. The third abandons his conquest out of cowardice, and the fourth attempts to woo her with flattering lies and a promise of life in the countryside. When one of the men is killed in his quest, Kaguya falls into depression. Eventually, the Emperor himself takes notice of her. Taken with her beauty, he makes advances toward her, revolting her. Kaguya then demonstrates the ability to disappear at will, surprising the Emperor. Understanding that he has been too forward, the Emperor takes his leave, determined to still make Kaguya his.

Kaguya reveals to her parents that she originally came from the Moon. When the Emperor made his advances, she silently begged the Moon to help her and learned the truth: Once a resident of the Moon, she broke its laws, hoping to be exiled to Earth, so that she could experience mortal life. Now having heard her prayer, the Moon will reclaim her during the next full moon. Kaguya confesses her attachment to Earth and her reluctance to leave.

Princess Kaguya flying in air

Princess Kaguya embraces Sutemaru whilst flying in the air

Miyatsuko swears to protect Kaguya and begins assembling defensive forces. Kaguya returns to her hometown in the mountains once more. She finds Sutemaru and tells him she would have been happiest with him; Sutemaru vows to protect her, and they fly through the air together. When the Moon shines upon Kaguya, she begs Sutemaru to hold her tightly. Despite Sutemaru's best efforts, Kaguya is torn from his grasp out of the sky. He awakens alone in a field, and convinced that it had been a dream, returns to his wife and child.

On the night of the full moon, a procession of celestial beings descends from the Moon, and Miyatsuko is unable to stop it. An attendant offers Kaguya a robe that will erase her memories of Earth. Kaguya begs the attendant to grant her a last moment with her parents.

Celestial beings

Celestial Beings

The attendant assures her that upon returning to the Moon, she will be free of Earth's impurities. Kaguya rebuffs her, saying that Earth is full of wonder and life. The attendant then drapes the robe around Kaguya, and she appears to forget about her life on Earth. The procession ascends to the Moon, leaving Miyatsuko and his wife distraught, as Kaguya looks back one last time with tears in her eyes.

Voice Cast

Character Japanese cast English dub cast
Princess Kaguya Aki Asakura Chloë Grace Moretz
Caitlyn Leone (young)
Sutemaru Kengo Kora Darren Criss
The Bamboo Cutter Takeo Chii James Caan
The Bamboo Cutter's Wife Nobuko Miyamoto Mary Steenburgen
Lady Sagami Atsuko Takahata Lucy Liu
Menowarawa Tomoko Tabata Hynden Walch
Inbe no Akita Tatekawa Shinosuke George Segal
Prince Ishitsukuri Takaya Kamikawa James Marsden
Lord Minister of the Right Abe Hikaru Ijūin Oliver Platt
Great Counselor Otomo Ryudo Uzaki Daniel Dae Kim
The Mikado Nakamura Shichinosuke II Dean Cain
Prince Kuramochi Isao Hashizume Beau Bridges
Middle Counselor Isonokami Tamaki Kojo John Cho

Production

Studio Ghibli revealed that Isao Takahata was working on a feature-length film in 2008. Isao Takahata announced at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival in 2009 that he intended to direct a film based on the Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.

The release of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya was finally confirmed by Studio Ghibli and distributor Toho on 13 December 2012. That same month, it was announced that Shin'ichirō Ikebe was to compose the film's score.

On 4 February 2013, it was also announced that Joe Hisaishi would write the film's score, effectively replacing Ikebe as the film's composer. This is the first time that Joe Hisaishi has scored a film that is not directed by Hayao Miyazaki, but by Isao Takahata.

In May 2013, it was announced Kazumi Nikaidō (二階堂和美 Nikaidō Kazumi?) would perform the film's theme song, "Inochi no Kioku" (いのちの記憶?, Memory of Life).

Release

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya was initially announced to be released simultaneously with The Wind Rises, another Studio Ghibli film by Hayao Miyazaki in Japan in the summer of 2013, which would have marked the first time that the works of the two directors were released together since the release of the films My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies in 1988. However, in February 2013, distributor Toho announced that the release of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya would be delayed to Fall 2013, citing concerns that the storyboards were not yet complete.

On March 12, 2014, independent distributor GKIDS announced that it had acquired the US rights for the film and that it would release an English dub version produced by Studio Ghibli and Frank MarshallChloë Grace Moretz is the voice of the title character in the English dub. It was released in select theatres in North America on October 17, 2014 and was also released on DVD and Blu-ray in Japan on December 3, 2014.

The film was selected to be screened as part of the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. Its North American premiere took place at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival as part of the festival's "Masters" program.

Reception

Box office

The film debuted at first place during its opening weekend in Japan, producing ¥284 million (US$2.8 million). By February 2, 2014, the film had produced ¥2,313,602,733 (US$22,613,153) at the Japanese box office. The total production of the film worldwide was $24,149,665.

Critical reception

In February 2014, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya placed 4th in both Kinema Junpo's Best Ten and their Reader's Choice Awards.

Reviews timed with the North American release have been overwhelmingly positive. David Ehrlich of The A.V. Club gave the film an A, deeming it "the best animated movie of the year," adding that it is "destined to be remembered as one of the revered Studio Ghibli’s finest achievements." Nicolas Rapold of The New York Times praised the artwork calling it "exquisitely drawn with both watercolor delicacy and a brisk sense of line."

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes assigned the film a score of 100% with an average rating of 8.3/10 based

on 78 reviews. The critics' consensus says, "Boasting narrative depth, frank honesty, and exquisite visual beauty, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a modern animated treasure with timeless appeal."

Accolades

Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Results
2013 64th Blue Ribbon Award Best Film nominated
Best Director Isao Takahata nominated
68th Mainichi Film Awards Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation Film won ✔
2014 8th Asia Pacific Screen Award Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Animated Feature Film Yoshiaki Nishimura won ✔
37th Japan Academy Prize Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Music Joe Hisaishi nominated
Kinema Junpo Awards Best Film nominated
67th Cannes Film Festival Art Cinema Award (Directors' Fortnight) Isao Takahata nominated
Prix SACD (Directors' Fortnight) Isao Takahata nominated
[antastic Fest Audience Award won ✔
62nd San Sebastián International Film Festival Audience Award nominated
39th Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award for Best Drama Feature Film nominated
47th Sitges Film Festival Best Animated Feature nominated
36th Mill Valley Film Festival Audience Award for Best Animated Film won 
18th Oslo Films from the South Festival Best Feature nominated
35th Boston Society of Film Critics Awards Best Animated Film Isao Takahata won 
40th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film Isao Takahata won 
Chicago Film Critics Association Best Animated Feature nominated
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Best Animated Feature nominated
Toronto Film Critics Association Best Animated Feature won ✔
18th Online Film Critics Society Awards Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film nominated
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film nominated
2015 42nd Annual Annie Awards Annie Award for Best Animated Feature nominated
Annie Award for Directing in an Animated Feature Production Isao Takahata nominated
Annie Award for Music in a Feature Production Joe Hisaishi nominated
87th Academy Awards Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Isao Takahata, Yoshiaki Nishimura nominated

External links