Spirited Away Studio Ghibli

Source: Studio Ghibli

‘Spirited Away ’

Continuing to expand its content line-up in preparation for a spring 2020 launch, HBO Max has licensed US streaming rights to the Studio Ghibli library of classic Japanese animated features from North American distributor Gkids.

The library, which according to the companies has never been licensed to a streaming platform before, includes best animated feature Oscar winner Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Kiki’s Delivery Service, all directed by studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, as well as more than a dozen other films.

Most of the films will be available on HBO Max when the WarnerMedia service is launched.

Kevin Reilly, chief content officer, HBO Max and president, TNT, TBS and truTV, commented: “Studio Ghibli films are visually breathtaking, completely immersive experiences. Exciting, enchanting and deeply humanistic, these wonderful films have captured people’s hearts around the world, and we are proud to showcase them in an accessible way for even more fans through HBO Max.”

Studio Ghibli chairman Koji Hoshino added: “We are excited to be working with HBO Max to bring the complete collection of Studio Ghibli films to streaming audiences in the US. As a premium content brand, HBO Max is an ideal home for our films. Upon launch of the service this spring, existing Ghibli fans will be able enjoy their favorites and delve deeper into the library, while whole new audiences will be able to discover our films for the first time.”