At a press conference held at the screening facilities of Studio Ghibli's regular distribution partner Toho, Ponyo producer Toshio Suzukisaid the film will open on Saturday, July 19.
Itwill be the major release of the summer, if not the year, in Japan. Miyazaki's previous film, late 2004 release Howl's Moving Castle,earned $194.23m (Y19.6bn) as the highest grossing film of 2005. Spirited Away released in 2001remains the territory's all-time box officechampion at $297.26m (Y30bn).
Also revealed werePonyo's poster and trailer, set to hit screens on April 19. As previously, broadcaster Nippon Television Network (NTV) is Studio Ghibli's TV consortium partner and is expected to ramp up media coverage in the coming months.
Suzuki stated production of the legendary director's film is on schedule, with 80-90% of the film's animation complete. Miyazaki is well known for taking as much time as necessary to complete his films, regardless of intended release windows. The film has a hand-painted watercolour style, a first for Miyazaki.
While Studio Ghibli often keeps story details and visuals under wraps, Suzuki revealed that approximately 80% of the movie takes place in the ocean, with Miyazaki focusing great efforts on expressing waves and water. The lead character of little boy Sosuke is based on Miyazaki's son Goro (director of Tales From Earthsea) when he was a child.
Suzuki alsosaid that famed singer-songwriter Akiko Yano performs vocal work in the film.
Ponyo On A Cliff will be the animation house's first release since Koji Hoshino took over as company president from Toshio Suzuki on February 1. Suzuki, who had served as producer of all Ghibli productions since 1989 and became president in 2005, stepped down to focus more on his producing duties but remains on the board as executive director.
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