Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders

Explosion Network

4.5 (10)
FILM REVIEWS

Studio Ghibli’s animated masterpieces are among the most beloved films of all time. This series from the Explosion Network explored the studio’s classic library, celebrating its artistry and storytelling. For now, the podcast has been spirited away into retirement — but if enough fans kick up the dust bunnies, it just might return for more Ghibli magic.

08/10/2020

The Future of The Kingdom of Dreams & Madness

Before we look forward, we look back. In the season finale of Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders, we discuss the documentary film, ‘The Kingdom of Dreams & Madness’ and then discuss what the future of the animation studio could be. Will there be a new wave of talent injected into Ghibli? Will Hayao Miyazaki finish his final film? And what are Dylan, Ciaran and Ashley’s final rankings of the Ghibli films? Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders Credits: Music: “Lo-Fi Hip Hop Chill Beats For Study Game Sleep” by Reckoner License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Art: Cherie Henriques The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) Directed by: Mami Sunada Starring: Hayao Miyazaki, Yumiko Miyoshi, Toshio Suzuki, Hideaki Anno, Goro Miyazaki, Isao Takahata All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/studio-ghiblis-animated-wonders Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

47 min
08/03/2020

When Marnie Was There (2014)

Due to 12 y.o. Anna's asthma, she's sent to stay with relatives of her guardian in the Japanese countryside. She likes to be alone, sketching. She befriends Marnie. Who is the mysterious, blonde Marnie? Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders Credits: Music: “Lo-Fi Hip Hop Chill Beats For Study Game Sleep” by Reckoner License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Art: Cherie Henriques When Marnie Was There Directed by: Hiromasa Yonebayashi Written by: Keiko Niwa, Masashi Ando, Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Joan G. Robinson (based on the novel by) Starring: Sara Takatsuki, Kasumi Arimura, Nanako Matsushima, Susumu Terajima, Toshie Negishi, Ryoko Moriyama, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Hitomi Kuroki, Yuko Kaida All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/studio-ghiblis-animated-wonders Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

27 min
07/27/2020

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her, but ultimately she must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime. Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders Credits: Music: “Lo-Fi Hip Hop Chill Beats For Study Game Sleep” by Reckoner License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Art: Cherie Henriques The Tale of Princess Kaguya Directed by: Isao Takahata Written by: Isao Takahata (story & screenplay), Riko Sakaguchi (screenplay) Starring: Aki Asakura, Kengo Kora, Takeo Chii, Nobuko Miyamoto, Atsuko Takahata All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/studio-ghiblis-animated-wonders Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

27 min
07/20/2020

The Wind Rises (2013)

A look at the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II. Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders Credits: Music: “Lo-Fi Hip Hop Chill Beats For Study Game Sleep” by Reckoner License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Art: Cherie Henriques The Wind Rises Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki Written by: Hayao Miyazaki Starring: Hideaki Anno, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Miori Takimoto, Masahiko Nishimura, Mansai Nomura, Jun Kunimura, Mirai Shida All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/studio-ghiblis-animated-wonders Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

33 min
07/13/2020

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

A group of Yokohama teens look to save their school's clubhouse from the wrecking ball in preparations for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders Credits: Music: “Lo-Fi Hip Hop Chill Beats For Study Game Sleep” by Reckoner License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Art: Cherie Henriques From Up on Poppy Hill Directed by: Goro Miyazaki Written by: Hayao Miyazaki (screenplay), Keiko Niwa (screenplay), Chizuru Takahashi (comic), Tetsuro Sayama (comic, original story) Starring: Masami Nagasawa, Jun’ichi Okada, Keiko Takeshita, Yuriko Ishida, Rumi Hiiragi, Jun Fubuki, Takashi Naito, Shunsuke Kazama All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/studio-ghiblis-animated-wonders Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

33 min
07/06/2020

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

The Clock family are four-inch-tall people who live anonymously in another family's residence, borrowing simple items to make their home. Life changes for the Clocks when their teenage daughter, Arrietty, is discovered. Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders Credits: Music: “Lo-Fi Hip Hop Chill Beats For Study Game Sleep” by Reckoner License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Art: Cherie Henriques The Secret World of Arrietty Directed by: Hiromasa Yonebayashi Written by: Hayao Miyazaki (screenplay), Keiko Niwa (screenplay), Mary Norton (novel) Starring: Mirai Shida, Tomokazu Miura, Kirin Kiki, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Tatsuya Fujiwara All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/studio-ghiblis-animated-wonders Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion More Episodes

21 min
06/29/2020

Ponyo (2008)

A five-year-old boy develops a relationship with Ponyo, a young goldfish princess who longs to become a human after falling in love with him. Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders Credits: Music: “Lo-Fi Hip Hop Chill Beats For Study Game Sleep” by Reckoner License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Art: Cherie Henriques Ponyo Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki Written by: Hayao Miyazaki Starring: Tomoko Yamaguchi, Kazushige Nagashima, Yuki Amami, George Tokoro, Yuria Nara, Hiroki Doi All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/studio-ghiblis-animated-wonders Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

31 min
06/22/2020

Tales from Earthsea (2006)

In a mythical land, a man and a young boy investigate a series of unusual occurrences. Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders Credits: Music: “Lo-Fi Hip Hop Chill Beats For Study Game Sleep” by Reckoner License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Art: Cherie Henriques Tales from Earthsea Directed by: Goro Miyazaki Produced by: Tomohiko Ishii, Toshio Suzuki Written by: Ursula K. Le Guin (novel), Goro Miyazaki (screenplay), Keiko Niwa (screenplay), Hayao Miyazaki (concept) Starring: Jun’ichi Okada, Aoi Teshima, Bunta Sugawara, Yuko Tanaka, Teruyuki Kagawa All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/studio-ghiblis-animated-wonders Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

29 min

4.5

out of 5

10 Ratings

Studio Ghibli’s animated masterpieces are among the most beloved films of all time. This series from the Explosion Network explored the studio’s classic library, celebrating its artistry and storytelling. For now, the podcast has been spirited away into retirement — but if enough fans kick up the dust bunnies, it just might return for more Ghibli magic.

Creator

Explosion Network
Years Active

2K
Episodes

23
Rating

Explicit
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© Explosion Network (C) 2025
Show Website

Studio Ghibli’s Animated Wonders