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When Disney partnered with Studio Ghibli in the 1990s to bring the beloved studio’s films to Western audiences, it seemed almost too perfect of a match. Ghibli’s beautiful storytelling, unique animation, and philosophical themes aligned perfectly with Disney’s reputation for high-quality family entertainment. They were the perfect studio for the English dub of Studio Ghibli films. This partnership, however, was not meant to be.
Disney’s handling of a very famous film caused friction that would be a lesson for every studio.Kiki’s Delivery Servicehad substantial changes, from the music to extra dialogue, that were not approved by Studio Ghibli. Steve Alpert revealed these changes to the executive and the producer was under severe fire for the changes. This instance wasn’t the only time Disney tried to make huge changes that would disrespect Miyazaki’s vision butKiki’s Delivery Servicewas the first time they disregarded the contract completely.
Changing the Vision BehindKiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s Delivery Serviceis a Studio Ghibli staple from 1989. With a timeless story about a young witch named Kiki, it explores the journey of her moving to a seaside town and learning independence to prove her worth. It’s regarded as one of the best and most charming films directed byHayao Miyazaki. It includes everything you need in a family film, from the heartfelt message to the pure friendships made along the way. It’s the perfect fix for anyone wanting fantasy without any violence but with a deep message.
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Disney, who was responsible only for the dubbing and distribution of the film to a Western audience, decided to take a step further.In an interview with Cartoon Brew, Steve Alpert reveals that they made significant changes that bent the original vision. The additional dialogue, especially with Jiji, shouldn’t have been the decision of anyone except the director and writer, which in this case would be Hayao Miyazaki. Even the original score was also replaced. This completely changed the tone of the film intended by Miyazaki.
The Consequences of Breaching a Contract with Studio Ghibli
According to Alpert, the consequences faced by the producer responsible for making these many changes toKiki’s Delivery Servicewere severe. Upon reporting the changes, the Disney executive gave him “the kind of verbal lashing that makes grown men cry.” Ever since the incident, Disney has been more careful with the Western versions of Studio Ghibli films that would respect the studio’s vision and still appeal to the audience.
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The controversial changes and breach of contract from Kiki’s Delivery Service were a cultural lesson for Disney. It made them realize the impact of keeping the original dialogue and tone to make Miyazaki’s vision shine for the films. The company learned that Studio Ghibli’s films were not just products to be localized for profit but works of art with immense cultural and personal significance. The verbal lashing must’ve shaken the producers to the core but in turn, we have more respectful Studio Ghibli localizations.
Kiki’s Delivery Serviceis available on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Bidisha Mitra
Articles Published :802
Bidisha is an Anime Content Writer at FandomWire with over 700 published articles. With over 7 years of writing experience, she’s versatile and adept. When she’s not writing, she’s also a voice actor on the side.Bidisha is currently continuing to learn Japanese and gets more fluent everyday. Her expertise is One Piece, Bungo Stray Dogs, and Haikyuu, but has been watching anime for over a decade. She was previously a Content Writer reviewing the latest Kpop music.
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AnimeAnime moviesDisneyHayao MiyazakiStudio Ghibli
