
Ghibliotheque - A Podcast About Animation and Studio Ghibli
Welcome to the Ghibliotheque, the podcast that leafs through libraries of films from the world’s greatest animation studios.In 2018, Michael Leader, an avowed Studio Ghibli fanatic, sat down with Jake Cunningham, who had never seen any of the Studio’s work before. Together they looked at the history behind Ghibli's films (including Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Princess Mononoke), and got a critical perspective from Jake as a first-time viewer. They covered all of Studio Ghibli's films, visited Japan on the ultimate Ghibli pilgrimage, and have since interviewed artists, animators and filmmakers who have either worked on or have been deeply inspired by Ghibli's films. With their co-host Steph Watts, they have also branched out to cover filmographies of other studios and filmmakers whose work has revolutionised animation, from Satoshi Kon and Mamoru Hosoda to Cartoon Saloon and Henry Selick.Where will we go next? For more information, follow us on Twitter at @ghibliotheque, or on Instagram at ghibliotheque.pod. Or email us at ghibliotheque@gmail.com.Follow Michael and Jake on Twitter:@MichaelJLeader – Michael@jakehcunningham – Jake Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Sep 26, 2023 • 18min
The World of Studio Ghibli | Out now!
Michael and Jake have emerged from their respective attics and basements where they've been beavering away at a new book. The World of Studio Ghibli is for younger readers (7-10) and is a guide through the studio we love so much. In this short episode we talk about the process of writing it and about what readers can discover inside! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 11, 2023 • 40min
Puffin Rock and the New Friends | The Cartoon Salooniverse
We take a return journey to the Cartoon Salooniverse for Cartoon Saloon's new feature, based on their popular pre-school TV series, Puffin Rock. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 2, 2023 • 1h 10min
Paul Young on Screecher's Reach | Cartoon Salooniverse
This week, Michael and Jake return to the Cartoon Salooniverse to interview producer and studio co-founder Paul Young about the company's history to date, as well as his directorial debut, Screecher's Reach - a distinctively Cartoon Saloon-style entry in the Disney+ series Star Wars Visions.If you missed it at the time, head back through our archives for the full Cartoon Salooniverse miniseries, in which we followed the studio through their feature films from The Secret of Kells to Wolfwalkers. We have also over the years spoken with key players at Cartoon Saloon including directors Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey and Ross Stewart, and writer Will Collins. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 28, 2023 • 58min
Tom Morton-Smith on My Neighbour Totoro | Interview Special
The magical, award-winning Royal Shakespeare Company production of My Neighbour Totoro is returning to the Barbican Centre from November! To mark the occasion, Michael speaks with Tom Morton-Smith, the writer tasked with adapting Hayao Miyazaki's beloved film for the stage.Join us on Patreon for ad-free and bonus episodes, Discord access and show footnotes and more: Patreon.com/ghibliothequeEmail us: ghibliotheque@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @ghibliotheque and Instagram @ghibliotheque.pod.@MichaelJLeader – Michael@jakehcunningham – Jake@_stephwatts - Steph Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 2023 • 1h 35min
Makoto Shinkai on Suzume | Interview
As his new blockbuster anime Suzume is released in UK cinemas, director Makoto Shinkai (Your Name, Weathering With You) speaks with Michael and Jake about turning a romantic lead into a three-legged chair, falling in love with Whisper of the Heart, being touted as 'the next Miyazaki', and his filmmaking career to date.Join us on Patreon for ad-free and bonus episodes, Discord access and show footnotes and more: Patreon.com/ghibliothequeEmail us: ghibliotheque@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @ghibliotheque and Instagram @ghibliotheque.pod.@MichaelJLeader – Michael@jakehcunningham – Jake@_stephwatts - Steph Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 25, 2022 • 57min
Ghibliotheque's Christmas Stories Special
As another year of Ghibliotheque draws to a close, it's time for our yearly Christmas special. This time, as well as looking back at the last 12 months of podcasting, and getting excited about what 2023 might bring, we offer up our retelling of some classic festive tales, all with their own Ghibli twist - and of course, producer Harold returns with his yearly dose of charoling, and this year's collection of songs is especially fab! Join us on Patreon for ad-free and bonus episodes, Discord access and show footnotes and more: Patreon.com/ghibliothequeEmail us: ghibliotheque@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @ghibliotheque and Instagram @ghibliotheque.pod.@MichaelJLeader – Michael@jakehcunningham – Jake@_stephwatts - Steph Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 25, 2022 • 47min
Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist | Live at Manchester Animation Festival
Recorded live at the Manchester Animation Festival. Following the UK premiere of the documentary Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist, Michael and Jake discuss the film, as well as Satoshi Kon's life and work, with contributions and questions from the audience.Join us on Patreon for ad-free and bonus episodes, Discord access and show footnotes and more: Patreon.com/ghibliothequeEmail us: ghibliotheque@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @ghibliotheque and Instagram @ghibliotheque.pod.@MichaelJLeader – Michael@jakehcunningham – Jake@_stephwatts - Steph Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 18, 2022 • 1h 9min
Naoko Yamada Interview Special
Michael Leader sits down with director Naoko Yamada to talk about her new short film Garden of Remembrance, what influences her wider work, and some surprising live-action obsessions.Join us on Patreon for ad-free and bonus episodes, Discord access and show footnotes and more: Patreon.com/ghibliothequeEmail us: ghibliotheque@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @ghibliotheque and Instagram @ghibliotheque.pod.@MichaelJLeader – Michael@jakehcunningham – Jake@_stephwatts - Steph Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 11, 2022 • 34min
Nora Twomey on My Father's Dragon
This week, Cartoon Saloon's Nora Twomey joins us to talk about her new film, My Father's Dragon, available to watch on Netflix from today.Join us on Patreon for ad-free and bonus episodes, Discord access and show footnotes and more: Patreon.com/ghibliothequeEmail us: ghibliotheque@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @ghibliotheque and Instagram @ghibliotheque.pod.@MichaelJLeader – Michael@jakehcunningham – Jake@_stephwatts - Steph Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 4, 2022 • 1h 7min
Alex Dudok De Wit on Translating Shuna's Journey
This week, friend of the show Alex Dudok de Wit joins Michael and Jake to talk about his new translation of Hayao Miyazaki's graphic novel, Shuna's Journey. Originally released in Japan in 1983, Shuna's Journey has never been translated into English, and so provides a new perspective on Miyazaki's work and worldview in the years before the success of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and the subsequent founding of Studio Ghibli.Join us on Patreon for ad-free and bonus episodes, Discord access and show footnotes and more: Patreon.com/ghibliothequeEmail us: ghibliotheque@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @ghibliotheque and Instagram @ghibliotheque.pod.@MichaelJLeader – Michael@jakehcunningham – Jake@_stephwatts - Steph Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.