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Further Lectures on Anime and Studio Ghibli Around the U.K. and Ireland

There are several lectures on anime and Ghibli scheduled at venues in the U.K. through the rest of January and into February and March.

Helen McCarthy is delivering lectures on "The Art History of Studio Ghibli." As of writing, tickets are available for two lectures at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh on Friday January 26, at 4.20 p.m. (tickets) and at 7.30 p.m. (tickets); at The Leadmill in Sheffield on Monday February 5 at 7.30 p.m (tickets); at The Well in Dublin on Monday February 19 at 7.30 p.m. (tickets); at Cyprus Avenue in Cork on Tuesday February 20 at 7.30 p.m. (tickets); at Glee Club in Birmingham on Wednesday March 13 at 7.30 p.m., final entry 7 p.m.(tickets); at Juju's Bar and Stage in London on Tuesday March 19 at 7.30 p.m. (tickets); and at the KG01 Theatre at Bournemouth University in Poole on Wednesday March 27 at 7.30 p.m. (tickets).

The lecture is described as follows:

"... There's a lot more to Studio Ghibli than just movies. Its art is driven by inspiration from Japanese and Western art, by energies from the streets of Japan and by the mystical qualities of its traditions and its wild places. Helen McCarthy, who wrote the first books in English on anime and on Ghibli's co- founding director Hayao Miyazaki, will take you on a journey through the studio's history and inspiration, with time and space to appreciate selected artworks and a list of sources – books, websites and places to visit - if you want to explore further."

There will also be a lecture on "The History of Studio Ghibli" given by the author Rayna Denson at the Exeter Phoenix on Wednesday January 31 at 7.30 p.m. (tickets). The lecture is described as follows:

"In this talk, Rayna Denison guides audiences through Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata's contributions to animation as an art form. She looks at how Studio Ghibli has worked to create animation art, taking in the influences that have shaped the look and feel of Ghibli's many superlative animated films from My Neighbor Totoro (1988) to The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013). Together we will explore the wide worlds of art that Miyazaki and Takahata's films draw upon. From a range of real-world places, to diverse forms of animation and fine art, this talk reveals the careful layering of imagery that is used to compose Studio Ghibli's films. At the same time, Rayna explores the work that underpins Studio Ghibli's artistic reputation. She reveals the sometimes hidden landscapes of animation practice that have helped Miyazaki and Takahata's Studio Ghibli become known the world over."

Tickets are also available for a lecture on "The Evolution of Pokémon: From Kanto to Paldea" given by Jake Montanarini at Market House in Coldharbour Lane, London on Tuesday November 21 at 7.30 p.m. (tickets). There will also be a livestream of this talk (tickets)

The lecture is described as follows:

"In this attempt at mapping the history of Pokémon, we will jump across the Pokéverse to trace the evolution of this global phenomenon. Join game designer and lecturer, Jake Montanarini, in exploring its humble beginnings as Pocket Monsters to its current status as a cultural juggernaut. From wistful revisits of the early instalments in the franchise to an exploration of Pokémon's global cultural impact, this talk will provide insight, nostalgia, and a renewed appreciation for the enduring magic of Pokémon. Come and catch 'em all."