At Japan's Studio Ghibli, which has produced extraordinary animated films since 1985, the best-known figure has always been one of the company's founders, Hayao Miyazaki. But an equally key figure is co-founder Isao Takahata, who has recently made a new feature, The Tale of Princess Kagnya. It is an unforgettable feature with an unusual hand-drawn aesthetic . The title character is a tiny baby girl who appears in a bamboo plant. She is found by a woodcutter, who takes her home and brings her up. He believes the little girl is a princess, and sets about preparing what he regards as a suitable world for her. This original story is the oldest work of fiction in Japan; every child knows it in its simplified folktale form. "It is a fascinating story with elements of wonder, humour, and sorrow,'' Takahata says, "but these three elements are scattered about." The chief challenge for anyone trying to adapt it is that "we are completely unable to comprehend what was in the heart of Princess Kaguya. Because of this, despite its being well known, few people consider it interesting. There have been several attempts at making a film out of the story, but they ended up being abandoned." He was connected with one of these attempts, but no one paid any attention to his concept. "Fifty-five years later, I thought my concept was still appealing, and used it as a basis for turning the story into a feature film." His concept involves the princess's origins, her expectations and her access to "the full range of human emotions". To realize his vision, Takahata says, "I needed to take the extremely individualistic brushwork and key designs of Osamu Tanabe and Kazuo Oga, two brilliantly talented artists, and have them permeate throughout the film. The two of them drew many pictures, but they weren't nearly enough. The most challenging part was to have all the other animation staff copy their styles in a free and easy way." The Tale of Princess Kaguya has been released, and people are saying that the two founders, now in their seventies, have directed their final films. But is it as clear-cut as that? When I ask Takahata about a scene of escape and urgency with a particularly distinctive   visual style, he says he had intended to use "this type of rough-drawn, forceful animation, in a project before this film. "That project hasn't been realized yet, but if it comes to pass, this style is essential." A hint, perhaps, there's still more to come. From the Takahata version of The Tale of Princess Kaguya, we can expect the following except   _  .
more details about the Princess's origins and expectations a forceful animation type featuring fine images and gentle brushwork the distinctive brushwork and key designs from two gifted artists a hand-drawn visual effect that brings out a unique sense of beauty