"Layout is the key-point of producing animation. It's unique and secret." - Isao Takahata
Considered as one of top three animation production companies along with Walt Disney and Pixar Studio Ghibli is best known for its anime feature films including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1985), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Spirited Away (2001), Howl's Moving Castle (2004) and Arrietty (2010).
Layout is a blueprint for the animation film containing information to make a cut like camera work, camera speed and the position relation of characters and backgrounds, which is a system consolidated by Takahata and Miyazaki during their work on Alps no Shōjo Heidi (1974). The exhibition explores the power and fascination of the Ghibli's anime movies including works of Takahata and Miyazaki through some 1,300 layouts for films.
