Based on the classic work of children's fantasy literature by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren from 1981, the forthcoming computer-animated cel shaded anime series Ronja the Robber's Daughter is the latest directorial effort from noted Japanese filmmaker Gorō Miyazaki - who is most notable for being the son of Oscar-winning animator and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. Following his work on the feature length productions Tales from Earthsea in 2006 and From Up on Poppy Hill in 2011, it would appear that Gorō's latest project will be in the form of an anime series for television.
Such as was the case with the original book by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, the Studio Ghibli co-produced TV series Ronja the Robber's Daughter centers around the exploits of the young Ronja, the only child of a local bandit chief, whose explorations of the surrounding woodlands of early-Medieval Scandinavia bring her into contact with all manner of mythical beasts - in addition to a young boy named Birk, born of a rival robber clan. Subsequent to its premiere in Japan back in 2014, the new show will be narrated by Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) for English speaking audiences - and the latest word has the series slated to premiere online for American audiences.
According to Kotaku, Amazon has just picked up the rights to stream Ronja the Robber's Daughter for viewers in the U.S. - and other Western territories - with an Amazon Prime account. Standing as an exciting and fantasy filled new TV series from Studio Ghibili that is meant to appeal to both children and older viewers alike, director Gorō Miyazaki quite possibly has a minor hit on his hands with his latest directorial effort.
Whether or not American viewers will tune in to see the latest Studio Ghibil co-production in the form of a cel shaded TV series remains to be seen; though with any luck, the Miyazaki name alone will drum up some interest and support for the series as it makes its way to Western audiences via Amazon. It's too bad that Ronja the Robber's Daughter isn't a hand-drawn masterpiece to match the very best works of the acclaimed Japanese animation studio, yet the property that it seeks to adapt should provide for a thrilling bit of fantasy fiction nevertheless.
Hayao Miyazaki's outstanding legacy will loom large over the domestic release of Ronja the Robber's Daughter no matter what - even as his son and series director Gorō Miyazaki has largely made a name for himself by now, on the back of two feature-length theatrical productions. It remains to be seen how well the new Studio Ghibli TV series will fare with American viewers, so here's to hoping that it proves to be another worthy effort from the renowned Japanese animation studio.
Screen Rant will keep you posted with any information related to Ronja the Robber's Daughter.
Source: Kotaku