New Miyazaki film announced

Studio Ghibli and Toho Films have announced that Hayao Miyazaki’s next movie project is slated for theatrical release in Japan in July 2008.  Gake No Ueno Ponyo, which translated into English means Ponyo On A Cliff, is an original screenplay which, according to the movie’s producer, is somewhat based on the childhood experience of Miyazaki’s oldest son. The movie follows the story of Ponyo, a goldfish princess who wants to be human, and her friendship with Sousuke, a five-year-old boy.  The movie will feature simple child-like drawn pictures and no computer generated animation.

Miyazaki is best known in this country for films like Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Princess Monomoke, which was translated into English by Neil Gaiman.