It's been almost two years since the studio released its last film, "When Marnie Was There," so seeing anything new from Studio Ghibli is a treat, especially for fans. The latest treat is an animated adaptation of "Scrolls of Frolicking Animals" or "Choju Jinbutsu Giga."
Having been made in the 12th and 13th centuries, the picture scrolls could be considered the earliest iterations of manga works so popular in Japan today. Though never meant to be animated, "Choju Jinbutsu Giga" was brought to life so gracefully by Studio Ghibli, which it did in collaboration with Marubeni Shin Denryoku.
An energy company, Marubeni is shifting to low-pollution energy production involving solar, wind and water sources and it has chosen to mark its move with "Choju Jinbutsu Giga" as the picture scrolls symbolized the natural beauty of Japan's pre-industrial era. To further show the energy company's concern for the environment, it donates a part of what customers pay to conservation efforts.
After animating the "Choju Jinbutsu Giga," Studio Ghibli and Marubeni will be meeting again to further discuss environmental issues, which will also be released in video.
The collaboration may come as a surprise to some but this is not the first time that Studio Ghibli had dabbled in making commercials. Last year, the studio also released a summer campaign for JR West Japan (West Japan Railway Company), which was produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura. He was also part of "When Marnie Was There" and "The Tale of The Princess Kaguya" as producer.
Aside from working with Marubeni, recent news of Studio Ghibli's activities include involvement in the production of "The Red Turtle" by Michael Dudok de Wit.
Some of the studio's biggest hits, which were also adapted from other original works, include "Howl's Moving Castle," "Whisper of the Heart" and "Kiki's Delivery Service."
Watch the 30-second animated adaptation of "Choju Jinbutsu Giga" below!
