In the late 1990s, The Walt Disney Company began distributing Studio Ghibli films internationally. As Pixar’s cache grew, John Lasseter championed its most notable animator, Hayao Miyazaki, working to popularize his particularly Eastern works of delicate whimsy and imagination:

“[Hayao] Miyazaki is one of the greatest filmmakers of our time and he has been a tremendous inspiration to generations of animators. At Pixar, when we have a problem and can’t seem to solve it, we often look at one of his films in our screening room. Toy Story owes a huge debt of gratitude to the films of Mr. Miyazaki.â€

In 1988’s My Neighbor Totoro, Hayao Miyazaki creates a peaceful, post-WWII Japan. Sisters Satsuki and Mei run about, finding real magic in the woods near their new home, and experience an adventure comfortably free of conflict and danger, but allowing them to grow and change like the nature around them.

This week, Tobias and Ivey welcome their youngest guest to date, Kylie Kear, to discuss My Neighbor Totoro and Hayao Miyazaki!

Be sure to check out Kylie’s parents’ Facebook page Wonder Woobies, where they make great blankets of your favorite comic and genre properties! And remember to subscribe to Block Bluster! on iTunes and listen to us on the Mind Of The Geek Radio Network on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook, and follow Block Bluster! on Twitter @blockblusterpod. Follow Tobias Ellis @callmetobias and Ivey West @Dorv.

(Image: Disney)