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Ghibliotheque – A Podcast About Animation and Studio Ghibli — Arts
Ghibliotheque – A Podcast About Animation and Studio Ghibli

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.

Latest Episodes:

All You Need Is Kill with Kenichiro Akimoto | Interview Special Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

This week, Michael is joined by director Kenichiro Akimoto to talk about All You Need Is Kill, a new animated adaptation of the novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka previously brought to the screen as Edge of Tomorrow.

Did you know, we have a new book 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.

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.

Zootropolis 2 with Jared Bush & Yvett Merino | Interview Special Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

We're collecting Best Feature Animation Oscar nominees like trading cards! In this bonus interview episode, Jake sits down with director Jared Bush and producer Yvett Merino to talk about their blockbusting Disney Animation sequel Zootropolis 2.

Haven't seen it? Here's a quick breakdown of the plot:

In Zootropolis 2, detectives Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootropolis and turns the mammal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.

Zootropolis 2 is available for home entertainment purchase now, and will be available on Disney+ soon.

Did you know, we have a new book 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.

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

Little Amélie with Mailys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han | Interview Special Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

With the Oscars and Baftas around the corner, we've lined up a couple of interview episodes with filmmakers behind some of the contenders.

Today, Michael and Jake speak with Mailys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, directors of the French animated gem, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain. This remarkable film sees the world through the eyes of a toddler growing up in postwar Japan as she observes, explores and makes sense of the world around her, thanks in no small part to her deep connection with her family's housekeeper, Nishio-San.

Did you know, we have a new book 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.

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.

Another World with Polly Yeung and Tommy Ng | Q&A Interview Special Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Back in January, Michael was invited to host the UK premiere of Another World, a spectacular, high-concept, high-emotions animation from Hong Kong.

Here is the recording of the Q&A from that screening, with producer-writer Polly Yeung and director Tommy Ng.

Tasked to help transient souls through Another World to their reincarnation, a spirit and a young girl embarks on a dangerous journey to prevent her curse from destroying the world.

Another World is currently on release in the UK thanks to Central City Media and will be released in the US by GKids later this year.

If you're in the UK, find a screening near you here: https://www.centralcity.media/films/another-world/

Did you know, we have a new book 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.

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.

Ethel & Ernest | Briggsonometry #6 Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

It's the final episode of our Briggsonometry mini series all about the adapted works of Raymond Briggs!

And today we're ending on Raymond Briggs's most personal project of his whole career: his graphic ode to his parents, Ethel and Ernest. Originally published in 1998 to award-winning acclaim, this story of two normal people living through extraordinary times acts like a Rosetta Stone for all of Briggs's recurring motifs, themes and obsessions. So much of what we have discussed in our episodes on The Snowman, When the Wind Blows, Father Christmas and The Bear come into sharp relief here, in this polished, feature-length 2016 adaptation from Lupus Films.

Keep an eye out next week for an archive interview from 2017 with the late Roger Mainwood, director of Ethel & Ernest, by young Jake Cunningham.

Did you know, we have a new book 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.

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.

Ivor the Invisible | Briggsonometry #5 Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

It's another imaginary creature who meets a child and they have an adventure, of course it's a new addition to the Briggsonometry! Ivor the Invisible, a curiosity as it was never a Raymond Briggs book, is here. Once seen (or not), never forgotten.

Did you know, we have a new book 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 a perfect stocking filler, we promise.

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.

Ugo Bienvenu on Arco | Interview Special Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

In this special episode, Michael has a wide-ranging chat with director Ugo Bienvenu about one of our favourite films of last year, his extraordinary sci-fi animation Arco - and so much more.

Colourful, soulful and shot through with a disarming optimism for the future, Arco tells the story of a time-travelling boy from a far-flung future who is dropped into a climate crisis-ridden 2075. There, he teams up with the young girl Iris, and the kids club together to dream up a way to the future.

Arco is coming to UK cinemas in March via Picturehouse Entertainment and is getting a wider release in the USA later in January thanks to Neon.

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

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

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

The Bear | Briggsonometry #4 Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

We are bearly just still within the festive season and another (attempted) winter warmer has been added to the Briggsonometry curiculum: The Bear. It's got a magical creature meeting a child, a domestic farce and an overnight adventure with a fantastical being. But is this just déjà vu? Or could there be more here than just retrodden footprints in the snow?

Whilst we're just about still in the Christmas spirit... Did you know, we have a new book 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 a perfect stocking filler, we promise.

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.

Ghibliotheque Christmas Special 2025 Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

Ho ho ho, Merry Podmas!

In this seasonal special, Michael, Jake and Steph hop on the mic to round up their years in cinemagoing, podcasting, wrestling, roller derby and beyond; Michael puts Jake and Steph's movie knowledge to the test with a two-round Christmas TV film quiz pulling from magazines from 1985 and 2025; and we open up the mailbag to answer a few festive questions from listeners and friends of the pod.

Whilst we're in the Christmas spirit... Did you know, we have a new book 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 a perfect use for a Christmas book token, we promise.

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.

Axel Scheffler | Interview Special Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

With the animated short The Scarecrow's Wedding premiering on the BBC on Christmas Day, Michael speaks with illustrator Axel Scheffler (The Gruffalo, Stick Man, The Snail and the Whale) about creating picture books for children, seeing his work adapted for television, and his fruitful ongoing partnership with writer Julia Donaldson.

Whilst we're in the Christmas spirit... Did you know, we have a new book 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 a perfect stocking filler, we promise.

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.

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