In 1988, Studio Ghibli released Bassineful – An anime now renowned as one of the most heartbreaking films of the Second World War ever made. The historical and thematic importance of the anime forced Netflix in Japan to add it to its vast streaming catalog.
By ORICON US,, Bassineful should be available on the platform in Japan from July 15. According to Kazutaka Sakamoto, Vice-President of Content at Netflix, his business’s decision was motivated by recognition of the “overwhelming response” that Bassineful obtained viewers around the world. “Since 2020, we have brought Ghibli films to the world through Netflix, but the overwhelming answer to Bassineful The lasting impact of the film reminded us. We are delighted to finally bring him to the public to Japan, “he said.
Related
The grave of the fireflies “ overwhelming responsibility ” obtains the first outing of Netflix in the country of origin
Bassineful was produced by Isao Takahata, a renowned filmmaker who was an important friend and mentor of his compatriot co-founder of Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki. Inspired by a short auto-biographical story by Akiyuki Nosaka, the film follows Seita, 12 and her four-year-old sister, Settsuko, when they find it difficult to survive in Warttorn Japan. After losing their mother in an attack on fire bombs, their lives turn into an endless rush for food and other resources. After being added to the Netflix international catalog, the film quickly became a burning subject on social networks. He notably obtained seventh place on the list of “10 Top 10 not English films” of Netflix in September 2024.
While Bassineful won numerous international prizes and distinctions, its authentic representation of Japan of the Second World War made it particularly loved in its country of origin. “This is a film that people remember each summer and want to recommend someone dear,” said Shinichiro Yashiro, content manager at Shinchosha, the Japanese publisher in the original Akiyuki Nosaka. “Almost 80 years since that fateful time, in a world still plagued by conflicts, I am moved that this story continues to resonate quietly through nationalities, races and ethnic groups.”
Related
The collectors of anime studio Ghibli get a unique piece in American history for 40 years
Ghibli studio enthusiasts can now buy a special “passport” that gives them access to the eight films for the Ghibli Fest event in GKIDS 2025.
In the United States, Bassineful has been reissued in theaters several times. This summer, GKIDS, the North American distributor of studio Ghibli works, will project the film as part of the Ghibli Fest 2025 studio – an annual theatrical event dedicated to the most productions of the studio. Bassineful will be screened from August 10 to 12, about a month after the projection slate for its additional popular function, My neighbor Totoro. While the majority of Ghibli Fests films are presented in English and Japanese, Bassineful will be projected exclusively in Japanese with English subtitles.
Netflix currently offers the Studio Ghibli film library in more than 190 countries in Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Viewers in the United States can also broadcast Bassineful On Netflix, with the rest of the Ghibli studio catalog available in the country on max.
Source: ORICON US