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"Seed Talks created a friendly and inclusive atmosphere, it was a really wonderful experience. Thank you Seed Talks for facilitating such a powerful and important platform. 100% recommend you check out a Seed Talk near you!"
- Anna F.
Details
Discover more from Studio Ghibli’s art, taking inspiration from mystical qualities and traditions from Japanese culture.
Studio Ghibli has elevated the reputation of Japanese animation to the status of art. Directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata have seen their works adapted by the Royal Shakespeare Company, featured in exhibitions as the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum in Los Angeles and also at the Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. These adaptations and exhibitions are just part of Ghibli’s deep connections to the worlds of art.
In this talk, Dr Rayna Denison guides audiences through Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata’s contributions to animation as an art form. She looks at how Studio Ghibli has worked to create animation art, taking in the influences that have shaped the look and feel of Ghibli’s many superlative animated films from My Neighbor Totoro (1988) to The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013).
Together we will explore the wide worlds of art that Miyazaki and Takahata’s films draw upon. From a range of real-world places, to diverse forms of animation and fine art, this talk reveals the careful layering of imagery that is used to compose Studio Ghibli’s films. At the same time, Rayna explores the work that underpins Studio Ghibli’s artistic reputation. She reveals the sometimes hidden landscapes of animation practice that have helped Miyazaki and Takahata’s Studio Ghibli become known the world over.
Looking at Studio Ghibli through its art and industrial practices reveals surprising stories. From the women who have made Ghibli’s films through to the music videos and commercials that have acted as testing grounds for young animators, this talk considers the realities of working at the most famous animation studio in Japan.
This Seed Talk will last 90 mins, including a Q&A where you'll get a chance to ask more questions.
How Our Prices Work
How Our Prices Work
The MAC is a charity dedicated to creativity, culture, and connection - every £1.50 we make goes directly into supporting our transformative arts and community programmes. Therefore a booking fee of £1.50 per ticket* will apply to all bookings made through our website and over the phone.
*There is no booking fee charge for bookings made in person, free events, school groups, community groups, personal assistant tickets and 16-25 member tickets.
Dates & Times
| Standard | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 24 Mar 2026 | 5:30pm | £16.95 | Book Now |
Reviews
"Amazing content and delivered in such interesting and captivating ways. Can’t imagine there’s anyone else doing it as good as this lot are right now."
- Macks C.
"I attended the art history of Studio Ghibli with Helen McCarthy in London, I absolutely loved the event and thank you so much for hosting."
- Khalif K.
Meet the Speaker
Rayna Denison
Rayna Denison is Professor of Film and Digital Arts at the University of Bristol. Her books Anime: A Critical Introduction (2015) and Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History (2023) explore the histories and cultures of Japanese animation. Rayna is widely published on anime, popular animation and popular cinema topics, and her work can be found everywhere from academic journals like Cinema Journal through to popular sites like The Conversation. Rayna’s current projects include work on representations of disability in anime, as well as animation’s transformative cultural potentialAccessibility
Accessible Seats
Wheelchair Accessible Seats
We have 6 dedicated wheelchair seats in our Downstairs Theatre – two on the balcony and four on the ground floor (please see seats listed below). These seats are locked off sale on our website so that we can keep them available for wheelchair users. To book a wheelchair accessible seat please call our box office team at 028 9023 5053.
Wheelchair Accessible Seats:
Stalls
- Row A1-2 and A18-19 (accessible via ground floor)
- Row L1-2 and L18-19 (accessible via floor 1 via lift)
Balcony
- Row P22-23 and 20-21 (accessible via floor 2 via lift)
Seats with no steps
If you have any issues with steps, we have a number of seats available with no steps to access.
Rows with no steps:
- Row A in the Stalls (accessible via ground floor)
- Row L in the Stalls (accessible via floor 1 via lift)
- Row P in the Balcony (accessible via floor 2 via lift)
Hearing Loop
There is an induction loop in our Downstairs Theatre which is available during all performances. The loop amplifies the sound of the show via customer’s hearing aid or earphones alongside our infrared devices.
- Infrared necklace – compatible with hearing aids switched to channel T.
- Infrared headset – for customers with no hearing aid.
To book an infrared necklace/headset ahead of your visit, please contact our box office at [email protected] or via phone at 028 9023 5053.
Join our Access Register
The MAC has developed an Access Register which aims to help us do all possible to meet your needs when visiting us‚ whatever your needs may be. We welcome you to join our Access Register here.
Carer’s Ticket Policy
If you require a personal assistant or carer, you are entitled to a free carer’s ticket. Please contact our box office at [email protected] or via phone at 028 9023 5053 to book a free carer’s ticket.
More Information…
For more information on accessibility at the MAC please see our website here.
For any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via email at [email protected] or call us on 028 9023 5053.
