The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)

Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthrals all who encounter her. But, ultimately, she must confront her fate.

Directed by: Isao Takahata

Written by: Riko Sakaguchi, Isao Takahata

Music by: Joe Hisaishi

Starring: Aki Asakura, Takeo Chii, Nobuko Miyamoto, Kengo Kora, Atsuko Takahata, Tomoko Tabata, Shinosuke Tatekawa, Takaya Kamikawa, Hikaru Ijūin, Ryudo Uzaki

Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy

Released: 2013-11-23

Runtime: 137 minutes

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The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013): trivia & fun facts

Fun facts

• However, in 2013, Joe Hisaishi replaced Ikebe as the composer.
• Takahata announced at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival in 2009 that he intended to direct a film based on the anonymous Japanese literary tale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.
• The film debuted at first place during its opening weekend in Japan, grossing ¥284 million ($2.8 million).
• Studio Ghibli revealed that Isao Takahata was working on a feature-length film in 2008.
• The Tale of the Princess Kaguya was financed by Nippon TV, whose late chairman, Seiichiro Ujiie, gave ¥5 billion (approximately $40 million) towards the project.
• With a budget of US$49.3 million, it was the most expensive Japanese film.
• In 1960, Takahata was preparing for a potential adaptation for his employer Toei Animation, which eventually was abandoned.
• This would be the only time Hisaishi scored a film directed by Isao Takahata.
• By 2 February 2014, it had grossed ¥2,313,602,733 ($22,613,153) at the Japanese box office.
• In February 2014, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya placed 4th in both Kinema Junpo's Best Ten and their Reader's Choice Awards.
• In July 2025, it was one of the films voted for the "Readers' Choice" edition of The New York Times' list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century," finishing at number 279.
• The film was selected to be screened as part of the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
• Its production was the subject of the feature-length documentary Isao Takahata and His Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

Source: Wikipedia

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