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Why Studio Ghibli films are still missing from Japanese streaming platforms
๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ Vietnam /Culture & Society

Why Studio Ghibli films are still missing from Japanese streaming platforms

From Tuแป•i Trแบป · () Vietnamese

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Studio Ghibli films remain unavailable on streaming platforms in Japan, despite their international popularity.
  • The studio prioritizes traditional television broadcasts, particularly Nippon TV's "Friday Road Show," over streaming services.
  • While discussions about streaming are ongoing, Ghibli's long-standing partnership with Nippon TV and a potential desire to maintain traditional TV's appeal are cited as reasons for the current approach.

Despite their global acclaim, Studio Ghibli's beloved animated films are conspicuously absent from streaming platforms within Japan. While audiences in North America can access Ghibli's catalog on HBO Max, Japanese viewers are largely limited to traditional television broadcasts for their fix of the iconic studio's work.

Studio Ghibli's president, Hiroyuki Fukuda, recently stated that the studio continues to prioritize airing its films on Nippon TV's "Friday Road Show" program. "We are continuing to operate with the understanding that maintaining the broadcast of Ghibli works in the Friday Road Show time slot, as before, is important for both Studio Ghibli and Nippon Television," Fukuda explained. This decision underscores a commitment to a long-standing partnership and a potentially deliberate strategy to support traditional broadcasting.

While Fukuda acknowledged that the studio has received public feedback regarding streaming options and that discussions are ongoing, the current approach suggests a cautious stance. Observers speculate that this may stem from Ghibli's deep-rooted relationship with Nippon TV, which also owns the Japanese Hulu service but has not yet featured Ghibli content. The studio might also be aiming to preserve the allure of linear television in an era dominated by on-demand streaming services.

Meanwhile, Studio Ghibli remains tight-lipped about its next animation project. The most recent film, "The Boy and the Heron," directed by Hayao Miyazaki, won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Despite Miyazaki's earlier statements about retirement, he is reportedly working on a new project. Fans can also look forward to Ghibli Fest returning to the US in 2026, showcasing classics like "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro" on the big screen.

We are continuing to operate with the understanding that maintaining the broadcast of Ghibli works in the Friday Road Show time slot, as before, is important for both Studio Ghibli and Nippon Television

โ€” Hiroyuki FukudaStudio Ghibli President Hiroyuki Fukuda explaining the studio's priority of traditional TV broadcasts over streaming in Japan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tuแป•i Trแบป in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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