GKIDS has announced that for the first time in North America, the entire 22-film catalog of acclaimed Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli is now available for rental on all major digital platforms, including Apple TV, Amazon VOD, Vudu, Google Play and Microsoft. The films are available for digital download-to-rent in HD for $4.99 each.
This announcement is released in the midst of ongoing cancellations and removals of animation series and projects across streaming services, such as Netflix and HBO Max, the only service streaming the studio’s film catalog in its subscription package － for now.
Why Studio Ghibli's Streaming Ban Was Lifted in 2019
GKIDS is an American film distributor focused on critically-acclaimed independent animations, most popularly those of Studio Ghibli. Under the visionary direction of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Ghibli has been a global powerhouse in Japanese animation since the release of its 1984 film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Its immense talent and marketing strategy made the studio a household name in the anime industry, earning many local and international awards. This includes four Academy Award nominations and an Oscar Award for 2001’s Best Animated Feature Film for Spirited Away. GKIDS announced its acquisition of the North American theatrical distribution rights to Studio Ghibli’s library in 2011, followed by the North American home media rights in 2017.
The beloved studio was initially hesitant on making its films available on digital platforms, favoring the experience of theatrical releases and physical media over the rise of streaming services. However, in 2019, the assumed streaming ban on the highly-sought collection was lifted when WarnerMedia’s HBO Max made an exclusive deal with GKIDS to acquire the streaming rights for the entire film catalog in the United States and Canada.
According to the former president and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Toshio Suzuki, the ban was lifted for two reasons: money and Miyazaki’s own lack of knowledge of what a streaming service is. The legendary director is known for his attachment to traditionalism, likewise seen as a common theme in many of his films. Although this may have been an issue with previous distribution endeavors, Suzuki claims that Miyazaki’s absence from computers and smartphones allowed the executives to receive his blessing in making the films more accessible digitally, therefore securing the funding for productions of future projects.
HBO Max's Dissolution Makes Ghibli's GKIDS Deal Even More Important
Unfortunately, this sentiment is being taken away from many other creatives after the recent news of HBO Max’s dissolution. This comes as a result of the upcoming merger with Warner Bros.’ streamer, Discovery Plus. The change in corporate direction has already gotten multiple animated projects canceled and/or lost in the streaming void; many fans and creatives grieve the loss of accessibility for this struggling niche in the entertainment industry.
Along with constant budget cuts, abrupt cancellations, and the realization that digital streaming is vulnerable to the nature of the beast that is corporate business, many fans and creators are rightfully concerned for the future of animation on streaming services.
As of this writing, it is not yet known whether HBO Max’s streaming rights for the Studio Ghibli library will transition with the merger. Although the Ghibli catalog has been available for digital download-to-own since 2019, GKIDS now offers another option that is more affordable for the many North Americans who wish to continue experiencing the comfort and wonder of these animated films from home.