The Japan Academy announced its five nominations for Best Animated feature last week. The nominees are:
• The Wind Rises (Directed by Hayao Miyazaki) Studio Ghibli
• The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Directed by Isao Takahata) Studio Ghibli
• Lupin III vs Detective Conan Movie (Directed by Hajime Kamegaki) TMS/Toho
• Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: The Rebellion Story (Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo) Aniplex, Warner Bros., Eleven Arts
• Space Pirate Captain Harlock (Directed by Shinji Aramaki) Toei Animation
The 37th Japanese Academy Awards accepted films released between December 16th 2012 and December 14th 2013. The winners will be announced on March 7th in Tokyo. Previous winners of the Animation prize include The Wolf Children, From Up on Poppy Hill, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars. In 1998 and 2002, Studio Ghibli won the Best Film Award (which included animation and live-action titles) with Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.