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Goodbye Ghibli! This week we’re saying a fond farewell to The Pig, The Sloth, The Heron, and, uh, The Earwig (?) Listen as we sort through our remaining thoughts about the Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, answer listener questions, and reveal what’s next for our podcast! Also… Dom is going to play the ocarina for some reason. A very special thanks to everyone who voted for us at the 2026 Signal Awards! If you're listening on release date, you still have one more day to vote here: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/television-film Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod  Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Open up those brain lids, listeners. It’s time to go deeper than ever before. This week we go face-to-face with the Grand Uncle himself. Hayao Miyazaki’s final(?) film is a doozy, and we’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so grab your Number Seven Flight Feathers and come transcend with us. We’ll be your guide!!!!! Next week we say farewell to the Kingdom of Dreams and Madness. We’ll be tying off some loose ends, answering listener questions, and revealing what’s next for Eye of the Duck! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod Help us win the Listener Choice Award at the 2026 Signals by voting here: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/television-film References: Special FeaturesInterview with Supervising Animator Takeshi HondaInterview With Producer Toshio SuzukiInterview With Composer Joe HisaishiThe Art of Boy and the HeronHayao Miyazaki and the Heron2399 Days With Hayao Miyazaki & Studio GhibliEntertainment Weekly Toshio Suzuki InterviewHow GKids Made the English DubFull Frontal Toshiyuki Inoue InterviewFull Frontal Akihiko Yamashita InterviewAnimation World Network Takeshi Honda & Dave Jesteadt InterviewColumbian Graphic Artist Scams the WorldCredits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Never flip a turtle! There might be a beautiful woman inside it!! This week we venture beyond Japan to celebrate a European (?!) co-production with Studio Ghibli. It’s a one-of-kind collaboration involving Isao Takahata and the great Dutch animator Michaël Dudok de Wit that defies all expectation… and language! Next week we return to the world of Hayao Miyazaki one last time for THE BOY AND THE HERON (2023). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod We also have some BIG NEWS to share – our episode on THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING has been nominated for a Signal Award for Best Episode in the TV/Film category! But we need your help! While we wait for the final results, you can help us win the Listener’s Choice Award by voting here: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/television-film References: Special FeaturesThe Birth of The Red TurtleThe Red Turtle at AFI Fest Q&ASony Pictures Press NotesThe Film Stage Michael Dudok de Wit InterviewScreen Daily Production HistoryThe Washington Post Michael Dudok de Wit InterviewCredits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Birds, bugs, beasts, grass, trees, AND flowers? All in a single film??! This week we take the leap of life with Isao Takahata and his final masterpiece. It’s an extraordinary work that epitomizes the Studio Ghibli philosophy… and completely shatters all expectations with its singular visual style. So yes, I guess you can say we liked it! Next week we explore the 2016 Ghibli co-production, THE RED TURTLE. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod  References: Special FeaturesIsao Takahata and his Princess KaguyaAnnouncement of the Completion of the FilmKingdom of Dreams and MadnessJapanese Policy Forum Toshio Suzuki InterviewIndieWire Isao Takahata InterviewIsao Takahata Reveals His Next FilmCredits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

[Bane voice]: The wind rises!! This week we fly with Jiro Hirokoshi and the mysterious Italian man of his dreams! It's Hayao Miyazaki's most personal film to date, featuring some of the most ravishing animation ever committed to film. And believe it or not, it's also the subject of controversy! We'll get into it. Next week it's the great Isao Takahata's final film, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA (2013). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special FeaturesTen Years With Hayao MiyazakiKingdom of Dreams and MadnessThe Art of The Wind RisesJapanese Policy Forum Toshio Suzuki InterviewPrincess Kaguya delayed to the FallAnother Double FeatureSuzuki Turns Down Ponyo SequelCredits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s Goro Day! This week we are going deep on the embattled, tragic, and nonetheless fascinating collaboration between Hayao Miyazaki and his fledging director son. Whatever you think of Goro’s movies, you’ve got to admit… the story of Studio Ghibli is incomplete without him! But it’s not just the rift between father and son this week. POPPY HILL is an impressive movie in its own right, and we have much to discuss. And it just so happens that fathers and sons also factor heavily into the film. Coincidence? Next week it’s the penultimate (?) film of Hayao Miyazaki, THE WIND RISES (2013)! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features10 Years with Hayao MiyazakiPost-Fukushima Earthquake Staff Speech and Press ConferenceBehind the MicrophoneInterview with Goro MiyazakiFilm4 Goro Miyazaki InterviewLA Times Goro Miyazaki InterviewThe New York Times Making OfReuters Goro Miyazaki InterviewCredits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Finally, a movie about a Pod who casts! This week we are putting the “mini” in miniseries for the Hiromasa Yonebayashi cottagecore classic that is equal parts HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS and TOY STORY. And yes, the dad’s name is Pod and he does at one point cast out a fishing line! Next week it’s Goro Miyazaki’s FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (2011). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod   References: Special FeaturesInterview with Hayao MiyazakiInterview with Hiromasa YonebayashiThe Art of The Secret World of ArriettyIGN Hiromasa Yonebayashi InterviewCredits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When it comes to Hayao Miyazaki, the ocean is full of mystery and calamity. But one thing is for certain: Ponyo loves ham! This week is Miyazaki’s late-career “movie for five-year-olds” that somehow combines the terror of complete environmental catastrophe with… the joy of floating around in a candle-powered speedboat. And cool jellyfish! Topics discussed: delicious-looking tea, delicious-looking ramen, whether or not the mad scientist/wizard Fujimoto represents Miyazaki, the perils of painting backgrounds for Ghibli, prehistoric fish, and Frankie Jonas. Next week we take a brief detour from the late works of Miyazaki and Takahata to cover Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (2010). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features The Five Geniuses of Ponyo Interview with Toshio Suzuki Behind the Microphone Creating Ponyo Ponyo & Fujimoto The Nursery Scoring Miyazaki The Art of Ponyo The Works of Hayao Miyazaki: The Japanese Animation Master by Gael Berton Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier Turning Point by Hayao Miyazaki Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Howl may be the worst type of early 2000s emo hunk. But listeners…We! Can! Fix! Him!!! This week is a real doozy. Dom and Adam are not particularly effusive about Miyazaki’s moody, dark magic sequel to SPIRITED AWAY. It’s bewildering, it’s bizarre, and some moments seem completely incomprehensible. But as an animated film, it’s a spectacle to behold, and we have a lot to celebrate, too. For instance…Calcifer! Next week, it’s Miyazaki’s child-friendly disaster film, PONYO (2008). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features: Behind the Microphone The Birth Story of the Film Soundtrack Interview with Diana Wynne Jones Explanation of CG: How to Move Howl's Castle  The Art of Howl’s Moving Castle Turning Point by Hayao Miyazaki The Works of Hayao Miyazaki: The Japanese Animation Master by Gael Berton Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier Hayao Miyazaki Takes Over Howl Variety Akihiko Yamashita Interview   Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listeners, it’s time to remember your name. We’re getting Spirited Away this week to a Studio Ghibli production that is often called the most influential animated film of all time. Joining us to help purify the stink spirits and return the river gods to their kingdom is our old friend Stephen Hilger. Topics discussed this week: the enduring mystery of No-Face, why the Radish Spirit rules, whether or not SPIRITED AWAY is the TENET of Miyazaki’s filmography, Ghibli’s art style in the digital era, and of course, MARIO ODYSSEY. Next week, it’s the most Hot Topic of Miyazaki’s oeuvre, the very moody HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (2004). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References:  The Art of Miyazaki's Spirited Away Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man by Steve Alpert Turning Point by Hayao Miyazaki The Works of Hayao Miyazaki: The Japanese Animation Master by Gael Berton Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier Spirited Away Making of Documentary Time Magazine Production History Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did Studio Ghibli really make a family sitcom? Kind of! It’s Isao Takahata’s second-to-last film, and we simply couldn’t resist adding it to our series. Joining us to revel in the brilliance (and surprisingly vindictive behavior) of the man they call Paku-San (aka Mr. Munch) is our dear friend and digital producer, Nik Long! Topics covered this week: whether or not YAMADAS is more like EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND or MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, the long-standing rivalry of Miyazaki and Takahata and its similarities to the film CHALLENGERS, our nostalgia for discovering movies on television, Takahata’s love of bananas, and so much more! Next week, at long last, we get SPIRITED AWAY (2001). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features The Secrets of My Neighbors the Yamadas Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before you listen to this episode, please join us in reciting the Ghibli prayer: Oh nameless god of rage and hate, we bow before you! This week we contend with what is unquestionably one of the greatest films ever made, animation or otherwise. It’s a period epic that encapsulates everything we know and love about Studio Ghibli while also somehow raising the bar even higher. And hey, there’s even a kaiju! Next week, it’s a last-minute addition to the series: Isao Takahata’s penultimate film, MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS (1999). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Princess Mononoke: The Art and Making of Japan's Most Popular Film of All Time Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation by Helen McCarthy Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man by Steve Alpert The Works of Hayao Miyazaki: The Japanese Animation Master by Gael Berton Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier The Guardian Hayao Miyazaki Interview Neil Gaiman on Scripting Princess Mononoke Cinefantastique Vol 31 No 4 Production History Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Country roads, take us home! Of the many, many movies that use the famous John Denver song, who would've expected the DEFINITIVE one to be about about a couple kids in Western Tokyo who fall in love with a really cool cat statue?  This week our old friend Stephen Hilger of the very great Into the Aether podcast is filling in as guest host! Topics explored by Dom and Steve: Zelda games (of course), Les Mis (obviously), doing improv comedy for no one (what?), learning to love yourself as an artist, and for some reason, pro wrestling! What an episode! Next week we worship at the altar of PRINCESS MONONOKE (1997). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features Behind the Microphone Starting Point by Hayao Miyazaki Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation by Helen McCarthy Studio Ghibli: The Complete Works 2nd Edition Cartoon Brew Atsushi Okui Interview John Lasseter Whisper of the Heart Introduction Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re back! Joining us after our one week hiatus is returning champion, the one, the only... Griffin Newman! We have so much to talk about this week, including: raccoon dogs, Isao Takahata’s hatred of modernity, the history of “serious” animation, Operation Goblin, Star Wars(?), Mr. Belvedere(??), Dave Matthews Band(????), and also How To “Ball Up” a Pipeline! Next week it’s our first non-Miyazaki/Takahata Ghibli entry, WHISPER OF THE HEART (1995) directed by Yoshifumi Kondō. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features Blu-Ray Booklet Studio Ghibli: The Complete Works 2nd Edition Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man by Steve Alpert TCM Pom Poko Production History Pom Poko Influences Hoppers Band Inspiration Toshio Suzuki Incorrectly Anticipates Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Farewell to freedom in the Adriatic and days of wild abandon! We’re soaring back over the sea this week to hang out with our close personal friend, Porco Rosso! This is… the best movie ever made, right? Topics discussed this week: whether or not Han Solo is just Porco in space, Italian antifascism, French antifascism, fascism in general, Looney Tunes, and of course, cool planes. Next week it’s all about raccoons as we go long on Isao Takahata’s POM POKO (1994)! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod References: Special Features Interview with Toshio Suzuki Behind the Microphone The Art of Porco Rosso Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation by Helen McCarthy Starting Point by Hayao Miyazaki Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History by Rayna Denison Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man by Steve Alpert The Works of Hayao Miyazaki: The Japanese Animation Master by Gael Berton Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier Credits: Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich. This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari. This episode was researched by Parth Marathe. Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling. Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord. Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.