In a discussion withToshio Tsuchiya (NTV's executive director of digital content), producerToshio Suzukirevealed thatStudio Ghibli's co-founderHayao Miyazaki is planning anime shorts for the Ghibli Museum as his next projects. Miyazaki directed more than half of Ghibli's theatrical releases, includingNausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,Princess Mononoke, andSpirited Away. His latest,Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, willopen in Japan on July 19.
According to Suzuki, Miyazaki indicated that a story about sumo-wrestling mice would be good to do, a possible reference to a classic Japanese folk tale calledNezumi no Sumō (pictured at right). Miyazaki has already directed Ghibli Museum's "Mei to Konekobasu" short, an unofficial continuation of the 1988 film classic,My Neighbor Totoro.
In a separate development, the studioannounced on Thursday that a third "Joe Hisaishi in Budokan" concert has been scheduled on August 5 due to overwhelming demand. Hisaishi has scored every feature film that Miyazaki directed forStudio Ghibli. Thefirst two concerts sold out within half an hour.
Source:Nausicaa.net