Studio Ghibli future hangs in balance

Famous Japanese animation producer Studio Ghibli looks set to close its production division.

The animé studio, best-known for Oscar-winning film Spirited Away, is considering cutting its staff and leaving just a skeleton crew to oversee and manager its existing portfolio.

Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki revealed plans on Japanese TV series Jounetsu Tairiku.

However, gaming news website Kokatu noted Suzuki had not definitely announced the end of the animé studio, but was considering either a full shut-down or a wide-scale restructuring.

The news comes just six months after Studio Ghibli announced production on its first ever TV series, Ronia – the Robber’s Daughter (pictured), which is due to broadcast on Japanese satellite channel NHK BS Premium in coming months.

Suzuki has been running the studio on a day-to-day basis since co-founder Hayao Miyazaki retired last year. The studio launched in 1985, and has gone on to make around 20 animated titles, plus numerous made-for-TV movies and commercials.