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Topcraft
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Foundation date 1 january 1972
Topcraft (トップクラフト, also written "Top Craft") was a Japanese anime studio established in 1971 by former Toei Animation producer Toru Hara. It was famous for doing animation for hand-drawn animation titles by Rankin/Bass and for the production of the Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind film. The studio went bankrupt and dissolved in June 15, 1986, allowing Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki and Isao Takahata to buy the studio and change its name to Studio Ghibli. Many Topcraft animators later joined Ghibli or went to work for other anime studios, thus making this studio the birth studio and start of Studio Ghibli.
Best films
Filmography of Topcraft (6 films)
Production
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, 1h55Directed by Shōji Kawamori, Katsuhito Akiyama (秋山勝仁), Noboru Ishiguro
Genres Drama, Science fiction, War, Action, Adventure, Musical, Animation, Romance
Themes Feminist films, Political films, Space opera, Children's films, Robot films
Actors Mari Iijima, Mika Doi, Akira Kamiya, Michio Hazama, Hirotaka Suzuoki, Ryūsuke Ōbayashi
The film begins in medias res with the space fortress Macross trying to evade the Zentradi at the edge of the Solar System. The Macross houses an entire city with tens of thousands of civilians who are cut off from Earth, after it had executed a space fold on the first day of the Earth/Zentradi war - taking the city section of South Ataria Island with it. During the latest assault, Valkyrie pilot Hikaru Ichijyo rescues pop idol Lynn Minmay, but are both trapped in a section of the fortress for days. Even after their eventual rescue, this fateful meeting leads to a relationship between the singer and her number one fan.
, 1h56Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Animation
Themes Films about animals, Environmental films, Feminist films, Post-apocalyptic films, Films about religion, Transport films, Aviation films, Films set in the future, Films about insects, Political films, Dystopian films, Children's films, Disaster films, Mise en scène d'une plante
Actors Sumi Shimamoto, Yoji Matsuda, Hisako Kyōda, Gorō Naya, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Ichirō Nagai
One thousand years have passed since the Seven Days of Fire, an apocalyptic war that destroyed human civilization and gave birth to the vast Toxic Jungle, a forest swarming with giant mutant insects in which everything is lethal to humans. Scattered settlements exist wherever the Toxic Jungle relents, with the Valley of the Wind being one such settlement. The Valley's settlers have a prophecy about a saviour, "clothed in blue robes, descending onto a golden field, to join bonds with the great earth and guide the people to the pure lands at last".
The Last Unicorn (1982)
, 1h32Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
Themes Feminist films, Films about magic and magicians, Political films, Children's films
Actors Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Tammy Grimes, Robert Klein, Angela Lansbury
In an enchanted forest, a unicorn learns she is the last of her kind. A butterfly reveals that a demonic animal called the Red Bull herded her kind to the ends of the earth. Venturing into unfamiliar territory beyond the safety of her home, the Unicorn journeys to find them and bring them back.
The Wizard of Oz (1982)
, 1h18Directed by Fumihiko Takayama
Genres Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
Themes Feminist films, Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Le pays d'Oz, Political films, Children's films
Actors Mari Okamoto, Ichirō Nagai, Masashi Amenomori, Jōji Yanami, Naoki Tatsuta, Taeko Nakanishi
Alors que son oncle et sa tante sont partis pour la ville, la jeune Dorothée est emportée avec sa maison par un puissant cyclone. A son réveil, elle découvre qu'elle est arrivée dans un étrange pays du nom d'Oz...
The Return of the King (1980)
, 1h38Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
Themes Feminist films, Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Middle-earth films, Political films, Children's films
Actors Orson Bean, John Huston, William Conrad, Roddy McDowall, Theodore Bikel, Brother Theodore
During the 129th birthday celebration for Bilbo Baggins in Rivendell, Frodo begins his story with Samwise Gamgee, his friend and companion, treading through Mordor as Ring-bearer in Frodo's absence, when Frodo is captive in the orc' fortress of Cirith Ungol. During his journey, Sam ponders claiming the Ring himself; but rejects the idea and rescues Frodo.
The Hobbit (1977)
, 1h18Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Animation
Themes Films about animals, Feminist films, Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Middle-earth films, Films about dragons, Political films, Children's films
Actors Orson Bean, Richard Boone, Hans Conried, John Huston, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard
The plot of the animated production is in most respects similar to that of the book, which was already styled as a classic children's novel, and so is adapted in that vein for a younger audience; but certain plot points are significantly compressed due to the time limitations of the format. In addition, certain scenes are obviously edited for commercial breaks. In general, alterations include simple omission of additional detail, as the producers expressed their desire to adhere to the written text, including lyrics adapted from the songs in the book but in much longer and greater format.