When was Castle in the Sky released in Japan?
Castle in the Sky was released in Japanese theaters on the 2nd of August 1986, in 103 theaters nationwide. In its initial 14-day theatrical run, it attracted 774,271 viewers.
Questions about Castle in the Sky
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the first film Studio Ghibli ever made?
Castle in the Sky was Studio Ghibli's first production. The studio was founded on the 15th of June 1985, as a subsidiary of Tokuma Shoten, specifically to produce this film after the previous animation company, Topcraft, went bankrupt.
Who composed the music for Castle in the Sky?
Joe Hisaishi composed the score for Castle in the Sky. He joined the project in February 1986 at Miyazaki's personal request, and the two went on to collaborate on all of Miyazaki's subsequent feature films.
How did the 1984-1985 coal miners' strike influence Castle in the Sky?
Hayao Miyazaki visited Wales in 1984 and 1985 and witnessed the aftermath of the coal miners' strike against Margaret Thatcher's government. The Big Pit Mine influenced the opening mining village scenes, and the miners' determination shaped several supporting characters in the film who protect the protagonists despite living in poverty.
What awards did Castle in the Sky win?
Castle in the Sky won the Anime Grand Prix from Animage and the Ofuji Noburo Award at the Mainichi Film Awards in 1986. It also placed first in the Best Ten lists at the Kinema Junpo and Osaka Film Festival that year.
How many cel drawings were used to animate Castle in the Sky?
Castle in the Sky was animated by hand using at least 69,262 cel drawings. The film used over 300 color shades, compared to the approximately 250 used in Miyazaki's previous film Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.