The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Kaguyahime no Monogatari) is a 2013 Japanese animated film produced by Studio Ghibli, and directed and co-written by Isao Takahata, based on the folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. This is Takahata's fifth film for Studio Ghibli, and his first in 14 years since his 1999 feature, My Neighbors the Yamadas.

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya was initially announced to be released simultaneously with The Wind Rises, another Studio Ghibli film by Hayao Miyazaki in Japan in the summer of 2013, which would have marked the first time that the works of the two directors were released together since the release of the films My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies in 1988. However, in February 2013, distributor Toho announced that the release of Kaguya-Hime no Monogatari would be delayed to Fall 2013, citing concerns that the storyboards were not yet complete. On March 12, 2014, independent distributor GKIDS announced that it has acquired the US rights for the film and that it will release it with new English dub in the fall.

The film was selected to be screened as part of the Directors’ Fortnight section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

Synopsis

The film follows the protagonist, Princess Kaguya, from her infant years to adulthood in the human world. It also explores the "crime" she committed prior to the events of the film.

The story begins with Okina, a bamboo cutter and gatherer, discovering Kaguya in a glowing bamboo shoot in a bamboo grove. Believing her to be a divine gift, he bears her home; Okina and his wife Ona then decide to take Kaguya (simply naming her "Princess") as their child. Kaguya transforms from a miniature girl into a full-size infant, and Ona suddenly finds herself able to breast-feed. The couple remark on their new daughter's remarkable growth.

Production

Studio Ghibli first revealed that Isao Takahata was working on a feature-length film in 2008. Takahata subsequently announced at the 62^nd Locarno International Film Festival that he intended to direct a film based on the Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.

The release of The Tale of The Princess Kaguya was finally confirmed by Studio Ghibli and distributor Toho on 13 December 2012. That same month, it was announced that Shin’ichiro lkebe was to compose the film's score.

On February 4, 2013, it was also announced that Joe Hisaishi would write the film's score, effectively replacing Ikebe as the film's composer. This is the first time that Hisaishi will score a film by Isao Takahata; as well as compose for two Studio Ghibli films in the same year, the other being Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises.

In May 2013, it was announced Kazumi Nikaidō would perform the film's theme song, "Inochi no Kioku" (Memory of Life).

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Director: Isao Takahata

Written By: Isao Takahata & Riko Sakaguchi

Original Story: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter

Running Time: 137 mins

Category: I