Disney announces three more Studio Ghibli titles for Blu-ray combo pack

Fans of Studio Ghibli can mark May 22 on their calendars. That's when Disney is releasing three more titles on Blu-ray combo pack. Here are the details:

BURBANK, Calif., April 13, 2012 –– Walt Disney Studios and the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Ponyo” & “Spirited Away”) proudly open the doors to “The Secret World of Arrietty” on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, on May 22, 2012. This visually stunning animated masterpiece stars an illustrious voice cast that includes Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Bridgit Mendler, Moises Arias, David Henrie and the iconic and much beloved Carol Burnett.

Based on the acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers,” by Mary Norton, “The Secret World of Arrietty” is an imaginative tale of “little people” living furtively among us, and the unlikely friendship that forms when their hidden world is discovered. The heartwarming family adventure features beautiful, stylized animation and timeless themes of friendship, courage and determination.

In addition to the stunning Blu-ray hi-definition picture and digital sound, the 2-DiscCombo Pack includes an array of bonus features that will fascinate animation fans, including a storyboard version of the film and the original Japanese trailers and TV commercials. Additional features include music videos for the songs “Summertime” performed by Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler, who is the speaking voice of Arrietty; and the movie’s theme song “Arrietty’s Song” performed by French singer/songwriter Cécile Corbel.

An enthralling story, with the English language version directed by 7-time Academy Award-winner Gary Rydstrom, “The Secret World of Arrietty” is a remarkable filmmaking achievement that families will want to add to their home entertainment collections and enjoy over and over.

"The Secret World of Arrietty" bonus features:

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack: (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD)

• Storyboard presentation of the film
• Original Japanese Trailers and Television Commercials
• “Summertime” Music Video – Performed by Bridgit Mendler, the speaking voice of Arrietty.
• The Making Of “Summertime” Behind the Scenes – Bridgit Mendler hosts a look at the making of the music video.
• “Arrietty’s Song” Music Video – Experience the movie’s theme song, performed by innovative singer and harpist Cécile Corbel, who also wrote the lyrics.

1-Disc DVD: (1 DVD)

• “Summertime” Music Video
• The Making Of “Summertime”

Synopsis:

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered. Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasionalcovert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts.

But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”

The film was directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and produced by Toshio Suzuki. Gary Rydstrom directed the English-language version of “The Secret World of Arrietty” from a screenplay written by Karey Kirkpatrick. The producers include Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall. The original Japanese screenplay was written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa.

“Castle in the Sky,” a timeless story of courage and friendship, is now more thrilling than ever with the magic of Blu-ray! The pristine hand-drawn animation fromacclaimed Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, “Spirited Away”) and a new digital master––featuring the original Japanese score––make this epic adventure soar like never before!

Pazu, an engineer’s apprentice, finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky, and discovers they are both searching for a legendary floating castle, Laputa. Together, they embark on a daring quest and encounter greedy pirates, secret agents and astounding obstacles that keep them from the truth––and from each other.

For the first time ever on Blu-ray, “Castle in the Sky” is a must-own for families!

Cast: Anna Paquin (Academy Award-winner, “The Piano”) as voice of Sheeta, James Van Der Beek (TV’s “Dawson’s Creek”) as voice of Pazu, Cloris Leachman (TV’s “Raising Hope”) as voice of Dola, and Mark Hamill (“Star Wars” franchise) as voice of Muska.

Bonus Features:                                 

• Disc introduction by John Lasseter
• Original Japanese Storyboards
• The World of Laputa
• Creating “Castle in the Sky”
• Character Sketches
• Scoring Miyazaki
• Original Japanese Trailers
• Behind the Microphone – with voice talent from the film

“Whisper of the Heart” inspires like never before in Blu-ray! A new digital master reveals the true brilliance of this heartwarming  coming-of-age classic from Studio Ghibli, the studio that brought  you “Ponyo” and the Academy Award-winning “Spirited Away” (Best Animated Feature Film, 2002).

A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a quiet schoolgirl, on a quest for her true talent. Challenged by Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on curious adventures beyond the boundaries of her imagination.

Now in Blu-ray high definition for the first time ever, this beautiful tale based on the screenplay from legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki will delight and amaze families!

Cast: Brittany Snow (“Harry’s Law”) as voice of Shizuku Tsukishima, Courtney Thorne-Smith (“According to Jim”) as voice of Shiho Tsukishima, Cary Elwes (“The Adventures of Tintin”) as voice of The Baron, and David Gallagher (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) as voice of Seiji Amasawa.

Director: Yoshifumi Kondo.

Blu-ray bonus features:                             

• 4 Masterpieces of Naohisa Inoue – Watch the evolution of four different scenes by master artist Naohisa Inoue
• Original Japanese Storyboards
• Behind the Microphone––With voice talent from the film
• Original Japanese Trailers and TV Commercials