Beginning this Saturday, March 18, the work of Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki will be showcased for four consecutive Saturday evenings on Cartoon Network. Films to be screened include: Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Castle in the Sky and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. To read the event’s press release, please click “More.”
Miyazaki Movies Join Cartoon Network Spring Line-Up
Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Castle in the Sky and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind from Famed Director Hayao Miyazaki to Air During Toonami
Cartoon Network will air four acclaimed movies from heralded Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki, including an encore showing of the Academy Award-winning film Spirited Away. The features will air for four consecutive Saturday nights, beginning on March 18 with Spirited Away. All movies begin at 7:30pm (ET, PT) during Toonami, Cartoon Network’s Saturday night action block.
* Saturday, March 18, at 7:30pm (ET, PT): Spirited Away – In the Academy Award-winning film, Chihiro must fend for herself in a strange world full of spirits, monsters and witches after her parents are transformed into pigs. With the help of newfound friends Haku and No-Face, she learns the rules of the world and searches for a way to break the spell on her parents and return home. Spirited Away received an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2002.
* Saturday, March 25, at 7:30pm (ET, PT): Princess Mononoke – Princess Mononoke tells the story of Ashitaka, a prince in search of an antidote to an incurable disease inflicted on him by a boar god. On his quest for a cure, he encounters Princess Mononoke, a young human woman fighting to protect the forest from being overtaken by an iron mining town. Ashitaka is forced to find middle ground, but he lands himself in the middle of the battle.
* Saturday, April 1, at 7:30pm (ET, PT): Castle in the Sky – In Castle in the Sky, Sheeta, an orphaned girl wearing a crystal pendant with mysterious powers, is pursued by a government agent and a pirate gang. Sheeta is rescued by Pazu, a young boy who decides to protect her. Sheeta’s pendant, passed down through the ages in her family, points to the mythical flying island of Laputa, which everyone wants to find for their own purposes.
* Saturday, April 8, at 7:30pm (ET, PT): Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind – In Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, set in the distant future, the “Seven Days of Fire” have destroyed much of the human civilization leaving only pockets of survival. One handful of humanity exists in the Valley of the Wind where a warrior princess named Nausicaa uses her natural empathic ability to protect the peaceful people of the Valley. Nausicaa finds herself caught in a battle between two neighboring states fighting over a giant bio-weapon.
About Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki-san was born in Tokyo in 1941 and graduated from the prestigious Gakushuin University in 1963. Inspired by the work of animators Taiji Yabushita and Lev Atamanov, Miyazaki began his animation career at Toei Animation. In 1979, he directed his first animated film, Castle of Cagliostro. Over the course of his career, Miyazaki has earned the reputation of being one of the world’s greatest animation directors.
About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network, currently seen in more than 88 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11pm-6am (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.
About Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
