Studio Ghibli is in partnership with GKIDS in releasing the animation studio’s best films, beginning with Howl’s Moving Castle and Ponyo in steelbook cases and will sell at a discounted price of $20 a pop on Amazon.
The launch of the physical copies of the animated films begins tomorrow, May 12, 2020.
Physical Copy Bundles
If bought, each case gives consumers both a Blu-Ray and DVD copies of the same film. Buyers who would be expecting a digital copy with the bundle will be disappointed knowing that there’s nothing of such in the offer.
Both Studio Ghibli will be released in a thematic presentation, corresponding to each unique title.
Howl’s Moving Castle is showcased in a minimalist fashion with the color red, complementing Howl’s similarly colored coat. But to make the coat visible from the painted backdrop, it is given a slightly lighter tone.
Ponyo, which features an ocean motif, comes also with a minimalist design colored in light blue. The color choice mimics the tinge of the clear seawater.
Another Pair Coming
The collaborative project is not only going to produce two of the studio’s popular animations, however.
Coming August 25, 2020, another pair of films will also be making their way into the North American market. Particularly, with the release of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Kiki’s Delivery Service.
As early as now, product layouts are already visible for the two, each bearing unique color theme, significant to the title.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind comes in a mostly color green which highlights the film’s motif about ‘sustainability.’
Kiki’s Delivery Service is mostly painted with purple to compliment and accentuate the protagonist’s like-color costume.
Although accessible in North America as a physical medium, the steelbook release is the first for animated films overseas.
A Sweet Deal
Originally slated for a $27 price tag, the companies are encouraging the consumers to make preorders by temporarily reducing the price to $20. This is a relatively sweet offer considering that the titles previously sell for around $30 apiece.
There is no official word yet as to whether the next pair of films will be getting discounts in the future. But fans that are too eager for a copy of either upcoming copy bundles can preorder as early as now.
Knowing Amazon and how it instantly adapts to fickle pricing, early preorders are subject to the price change (discounted). That is, if Studio Ghibli and GKIDS decide to run a similar promo before and during launch.
Studio Ghibli is Japan’s iconic animation company, popularly regarded as the Disney version of Japan.
GKIDS, spelled out as ‘Guerrilla Kids International Distribution Syndicate,’ is an American film distributor based in New York.
Image used courtesy of YouTube/Madman Anime