Miyazaki films available?

[budgenk]

Having watched and loved Princess Mononoke, and with a very very decrepit tape of Laputa I've had for about 13 years, I'd like to get hold of some more Miyazaki stuff (esp Totoro, and a decent copy of Laputa). Are these available in any form at all? If not on dvd, vcd will do for now. If anyone knows where I could find them I'd be grateful: I'd be happy to import from the far east.

cheers :)

[kanedaa]

There is a fair few Miyazaki DVDs on the market...here is a quick rundown including other titles from the other genius behind Studio Ghibli, Isao Takahata. I've included links where possible to my reviews which include region information.

Miyazaki...

Castle of Cagliostro (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=131&story=1816) - there is also an R4 available that is the same as the R1, but cheaper.

Kiki's Delivery Service (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=453&story=2508)

My Neighbour Totoro (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=520&story=2581)

Porco Rosso is due out March 8th.

Laputa is expected to follow although a Takahata title may precede it (which is no bad thing!)

Miyazaki/Isao Takahata

Panda! Go Panda! (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=151&story=1846) - there is also a Japanese R2 available - I have it and its very good, better than the R1 but I'd say its strictly for die hard fans as the r1 is very good.

Isao Takahata

Grave of the Fireflies (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=109&story=1780)

My Neighbours the Yamadas (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=126&story=1808)

Kiki & Totoro have been rumoured to be receving R1/R2UK releases for ages now....it will happen, but quite what will come of them is anyones guess.

dave.

[budgenk]

Woohoo! Thanks for a comprehensive and most satisfying answer Dave :D

[budgenk]

Curse you!! Having read your reviews I now have no choice but to plump for the considerably more expensive Jap R2s, since you present such a convincing case for them! Oh well, I guess I'll have to collect them one at a time :p

[Noel M]

The oft overlooked and utterly brilliant Sherlock Hound: Case Book 1, containing most of Miyazaki's work on the series, is available in the US on Feb 26th. Well worth a look if you like Castle of Cagliostro

[Dear Mr Echo]

If I could just leap in here and ask a couple of questions...

I have recently become intrigued by Kiki and Totoro and am thinking of getting them. I haven't seen either of these titles but from reviews I think they may be worthwhile purchases. It might be worth mentioning that the only other Japanese animation I have seen is Akira, which I'm sure is no comparison I'm sure.

Do you think its worthwhile getting the R3 as a "taster"? Or just go the whole hog and get the Japanese discs (I'm certain they will go well on eBay if they don't live up to expectations).

Any recommendations for an R3 supplier ? (I have used DDHouse before - though I'm not sure they have these titles)

cheers
Andrew

[kanedaa]

I'm looking forward to Sherlock Hound as I've never seen it before - sadly I'll end up buying all 6 Volumes which is gonna bankrupt me :D That and all the generally huge amount of anime coming out this year! Damn we need to find a decent R1 supplier!

Mr Echo - Its a tough call and one I find hard to advise on as I couldn't imagine owning anything other than the Japanese R2s...but I would say that whatever your decison (R2 or R3) you'll sale/trade either here or on Ebay with little loss (and most likely you'll make a profit on ebay) or trouble.

I bought the R3 releases from www.coolashop.com and my R2 releases from www.amotokyo.com (who have a good shipping deal right now, $5 for any order value). Coola mark full value, but I got both Totoro & Kiki through no probs, while Amotokyo are superb with customs with a recent order of mine totalling £282 coming through no problem :)

dave.

[rezabelady]

i've only seen (and own on DVD) Princess Mononoke but i will be going to Phoenix Picture House in Oxford tomorrow night to see Laputa and then again on Friday for Kiki :)

they'll also be showing My Neighbour Totoro (& a couple of other Miyazaki films) in a few weeks but I doubt i'll be able to make that