The Tale of the Princess Kaguya: Why This Guinness World Record Anime Movie Cost So Much To Make

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is one of the most beautiful anime films ever made. It holds the Guinness World Record for being the most expensive anime movie of all time. With a production budget of around $49.3 million, this Studio Ghibli masterpiece stands out not only for its cost but also for its unique animation and deep storytelling.

But why did The Tale of the Princess Kaguya cost so much to make? Unlike other big-budget anime films, this one didn’t rely on CGI or high-action sequences. Instead, it was a passion project by legendary director Isao Takahata, who wanted to create something completely different. From its hand-drawn animation to its emotional depth, every aspect of the film played a role in its massive budget.

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A Masterpiece From Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli is known for making visually stunning and emotionally touching films. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is no exception. It was directed by Isao Takahata, the same genius behind Grave of the Fireflies. This movie took nearly eight years to complete, as Takahata wanted every scene to feel like a moving watercolor painting.

Unlike other Ghibli films that follow a more traditional animation style, this one looks like an ancient Japanese picture scroll brought to life. The use of hand-drawn sketches and soft pastel colors makes it stand out. But this kind of animation takes a lot of time and effort, which greatly increased the film’s cost.

Hand-Drawn Animation: A Costly And Time-Consuming Process

One of the biggest reasons The Tale of the Princess Kaguya became so expensive is its animation style. Unlike modern anime films that use a mix of digital tools and hand-drawn elements, this movie is almost entirely hand-drawn. The goal was to capture the beauty of traditional Japanese culture and art, which required an insane level of detail.

Every single frame is carefully sketched and painted, making the process extremely slow. The animators had to ensure that each scene flowed smoothly while maintaining the rough, sketch-like feel of the drawings. This level of dedication led to higher production costs and a longer production time.

A Passion Project That Took Years to Complete

Director Isao Takahata was known for being a perfectionist. He didn’t rush his work, which is why this film took nearly eight years to finish. Unlike other directors who try to meet deadlines, Takahata focused on making every moment of the film feel meaningful.

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This long production period meant that Studio Ghibli had to pay animators and staff for years, which added to the film’s budget. In many cases, anime films are completed within two to three years, but The Tale of the Princess Kaguya took almost a decade.

Star-Studded Voice Cast And Music Of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Another factor that contributed to the high budget and bringing the movie to the Guinness World Record book was the voice cast and music. The film featured famous Japanese voice actors, and their performances added to the film’s emotional weight. Hiring top voice talent always comes with a high price, but for a film of this scale, it was necessary.

The soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaishi, was another masterpiece. His music perfectly captured the emotions of the film, from joy to sorrow. Creating an original score for such a unique movie required a lot of time and effort, which also added to the film’s cost.

Did The Movie Recover Its Budget?

Despite being an artistic masterpiece, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya struggled at the box office. It made around $27 million worldwide, which means it didn’t fully recover its $49.3 million budget. However, over time, the film gained recognition as one of the greatest anime movies ever made.

Critics and audiences praised it for its emotional storytelling and stunning visuals. It was even nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, proving its worth despite its financial struggles.

Final Verdict

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a work of art. Its high budget was the result of years of dedication, hand-drawn animation, and deep storytelling. While it didn’t make a huge profit, it left a lasting impact on anime history.

If you haven’t watched this film yet, it’s definitely worth checking out. It’s a rare masterpiece that captures the beauty of traditional Japanese storytelling in a way that no other anime has done before.

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