11/12/2025 | Press release | Archived content
"My Neighbour Totoro", "Grave of the Fireflies", "Princess Mononoke", "Spirited Away"… The masterpieces of Studio Ghibli, Japan's internationally renowned animation studio, have been brought together for the first time in the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) photo album. This exceptional 80th edition is a rare departure from the albums' traditional "100 Photos for Press Freedom", transforming into "100 Drawings". The album's launch marks two 40th birthdays - both Studio Ghibli and RSF were founded in 1985.
For 40 years, Studio Ghibli's animated films have transformed the way we see and experience the world. Created in the same year, RSF pays tribute to this visionary studio with a remarkable book filled with enchanted forests, mischievous spirits, resilient children, and comforting creatures.
"An exceptional year calls for an exceptional issue. The 80th RSF book celebrates the 40th anniversaries of two parallel yet never-before-linked stories: Ghibli and RSF. By evolving and renewing themselves over the years amid the shifting realities of the modern world, they seem to have woven a common thread, with humanity at the heart of their visions and concerns. Their shared pursuit of excellence, their constant drive to confront life's unpredictability with purpose, underpin the confidence with which both Ghibli and RSF imbue their daily work. Projecting the shadow of their past achievements towards the future, we trust that the next 40 years will continue to unite journalists and illustrators in relating the real and fictional (but never fake) stories of tomorrow."
This 140-page journey into the studio's exuberant universe includes layouts, backgrounds and sketches. Each page unveils the behind-the-scenes craftsmanship of works that have become legendary, revealing the artisanal methods and multitude of talents required to bring these animated masterpieces to life. Behind this creative odyssey stand two complementary figures - Hayao Miyazaki, the tireless dreamer and brilliant draftsman, and Isao Takahata, the sensitive and daring storyteller who died in 2018.
Though unmistakably Japanese, Studio Ghibli's art transcends borders and generations, as proven by the worldwide enthusiasm that greets each new release. Its films connect without conflating, share without overpowering, move without overwhelming - and their beauty leaves an indelible mark on our collective memory and popular culture.
This exceptional issue also offers an opportunity to reflect on 40 years of RSF's battles - and the many yet to come - above all by means of a long and fascinating conversation between journalists Pierre Haski and Margaux Benn.