Ghibliotheque - A Podcast About Animation and Studio Ghibli cover art

Ghibliotheque - A Podcast About Animation and Studio Ghibli

Ghibliotheque - A Podcast About Animation and Studio Ghibli

By: Michael Leader Jake Cunningham & Steph Watts
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About this listen

Welcome to the Ghibliotheque, the podcast that leafs through libraries of films from the world’s greatest animation studios.


In 2018, Michael Leader, an avowed Studio Ghibli fanatic, sat down with Jake Cunningham, who had never seen any of the Studio’s work before. Together they looked at the history behind Ghibli's films (including Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Princess Mononoke), and got a critical perspective from Jake as a first-time viewer. They covered all of Studio Ghibli's films, visited Japan on the ultimate Ghibli pilgrimage, and have since interviewed artists, animators and filmmakers who have either worked on or have been deeply inspired by Ghibli's films. With their co-host Steph Watts, they have also branched out to cover filmographies of other studios and filmmakers whose work has revolutionised animation, from Satoshi Kon and Mamoru Hosoda to Cartoon Saloon and Henry Selick.


Where will we go next? For more information, follow us on Twitter at @ghibliotheque, or on Instagram at ghibliotheque.pod. Or email us at ghibliotheque@gmail.com.


Follow Michael and Jake on Twitter:

@MichaelJLeader – Michael

@jakehcunningham – Jake

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Leader, Jake Cunningham & Steph Watts Art
Episodes
  • The Animation Atlas | Out Now!

    The Animation Atlas | Out Now!
    Oct 9 2025

    It's a shameless plug! Our new book, The Animation Atlas, is out today! So, to celebrate, here's a little chat with Michael and Jake talking about what the book is all about and why (hopefully) you should be excited about it.


    A cartography of cartoons, The Animation Atlas takes in everything from titans of animation such as Disney, Pixar, Aardman and Studio Ghibli to pioneers, innovators and rising stars from the wider world of cinema.


    A truly global history of animation - Each of the 30 chapters sets down in a different country to focus on local talent that has made a global impact on the form, from Spain to South Africa and China to Chile.


    The book can be purchased wherever you get your books, online or out in the real world.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    9 mins
  • Nicolas Rapold on The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki | Interview Special

    Nicolas Rapold on The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki | Interview Special
    Sep 12 2025

    Michael speaks with film critic Nicolas Rapold about his new book, The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki, which examines the films of our favourite grumpy Japanese master through a spectrum of influences and inspiration.


    • Find out more about The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki
    • Listen to Nicolas's podcast, The Last Thing I Saw
    • Read about the BFI's upcoming Frederick Wiseman season


    Did you know, we have a new book coming out? It's called The Animation Atlas and it is a journey through the world of animation, visiting 30 countries over 30 chapters and highlighting key films and filmmakers along every stop of the journey. It's out in October!


    Subscribe to our Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus conversations in our Library Cafe series.


    Follow us on Twitter or Instagram, or drop us an email at ghibliotheque@gmail.com.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • Claude Barras on Savages | Interview Special

    Claude Barras on Savages | Interview Special
    Aug 1 2025

    This episode, Michael and Jake speak with stop-motion director Claude Barras about his new film, Savages, his previous film, the Ghibliotheque favourite My Life as a Courgette, his life in animation and his almost Takahata-like approach to research.


    To listen to Claude's full, unedited French answers, fast forward to 40.10.


    Savages is in UK cinemas now.


    Subscribe to our Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus conversations in our Library Cafe series.


    Follow us on Twitter or Instagram, or drop us an email at ghibliotheque@gmail.com.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 25 mins
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