Mark your calendars for a enchanting evening! On January 9, 2025, starting at 9:00 PM, the “Kinyou Roadshow” will broadcast the complete, uncut version of Studio Ghibli’s 2013 film, Kaguya-hime no Monogatari (which can be translated as “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”). This article dives into the beautiful world of the film, exploring its story, introducing the talented cast and crew, and highlighting what makes it a timeless masterpiece.
Here Are the Highlights!
This film is a stunning reimagining of Japan’s oldest tale, “Taketori Monogatari” (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter), brought to life by the legendary director Takahata Isao. The story of a princess born from bamboo who grows into a beautiful woman only to return to the moon on the fifteenth night is presented with breathtaking animation that resembles a vibrant picture scroll or a moving watercolor painting. This visual splendor, set against landscapes that feel deeply Japanese, frames the journey of Kaguya-hime from her birth through her girlhood into a refined princess. At its heart, the film is a radiant expression of life’s brilliance and the pure joy of living.
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』（C）2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK
Synopsis
An old bamboo cutter, Okina, discovers a shining stalk of bamboo. In a nearby bamboo shoot, he finds a beautiful, tiny princess. He and his wife, Ouna, decide to raise her as their own. The girl grows at an astonishing rate, becoming a young child in mere months. Nicknamed “Takenoko” (Bamboo Shoot) by the local children and a boy named Sutemaru who admires her, she spends her days running freely through the fields and mountains. One day, Okina finds gold and gorgeous robes inside another glowing bamboo stalk. Believing it is heaven’s will for him to raise the girl into a lady worthy of such finery, he decides they must move to the capital… but this decision will change everything.
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』(c) 2013 Hata Jimusho・GNDHDDTK
Broadcast Information
Date & Time: Friday, January 9, 2025, from 9:00 PM to 11:54 PM (Extended by 60 minutes)
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』 scene photo
Cast & Voice Actors
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Kaguya-hime | Asakura Aki |
| Sutemaru | Kora Kengo |
| Okina | Jii Takeo |
| Ouna / Narrator | Miyamoto Nobuko |
| Sagami | Takahata Atsuko |
| Otodo | Tabata Tomoko |
| Inbe no Akita | Tatekawa Shinosuke |
| Ishitsukuri no Miko | Kamikawa Takaya |
| Abe no Udaijin | Ijuuin Hikaru |
| Ootomo no Dainagon | Uzaki Ryuudou |
| Mikado | Nakamura Shichinosuke |
| Kurumamochi no Miko | Hashizume Isao |
| Kita no Kata | Asaoka Yukiji |
| Sumiyaki no Roujin (Charcoal Maker) | Nakadai Tatsuya |
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』 scene photo
Staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Original Concept, Screenplay, Director | Takahata Isao |
| Producer | Nishimura Yoshiaki |
| Production | Ujie Kiichirou |
| Production Representative | Okubo Yoshio |
| Planning | Suzuki Toshio |
| Original Story | “Taketori Monogatari” |
| Screenplay | Sakaguchi Riko |
| Music | Hisashi Joe |
| Theme Song | “Inochi no Kioku” by Nikaido Kazumi |
| Insert Songs | “Warabe Uta”, “Tennyo no Uta” |
| Art Director | Oga Kazuo |
| Animation Director | Konishi Kenichi |
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』 scene photo
Characters
Kaguya-hime (Voice: Asakura Aki)
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』 scene photo (C) 2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK
Sutemaru (Voice: Kora Kengo)
Sutemaru (c) 2013 Hata Jimusho・GNDHDDTK
Okina (Voice: Jii Takeo)
Okina (c) 2013 Hata Jimusho・GNDHDDTK
Ouna / Narrator (Voice: Miyamoto Nobuko)
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』 scene photo (C) 2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK
Sagami (Voice: Takahata Atsuko)
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』 scene photo
Otodo (Voice: Tabata Tomoko)
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』 scene photo (C) 2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK
Inbe no Akita (Voice: Tatekawa Shinosuke)
Ishitsukuri no Miko (Voice: Kamikawa Takaya)
Abe no Udaijin (Voice: Ijuuin Hikaru)
Ootomo no Dainagon (Voice: Uzaki Ryuudou)
Mikado (Voice: Nakamura Shichinosuke)
『Kaguya-hime no Monogatari』 scene photo (C) 2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK
Kurumamochi no Miko (Voice: Hashizume Isao)
Kita no Kata (Voice: Asaoka Yukiji)
Sumiyaki no Roujin (Charcoal Maker) (Voice: Nakadai Tatsuya)
Music
Kaguya-hime no Monogatari Soundtrack / Hisashi Joe
The soundtrack features a beautiful score by the renowned composer Hisashi Joe, including pieces like:
- Hajimari (The Beginning)
- Hikari (Light)
- Chiisaki Hime (The Tiny Princess)
- Ikiru Yorokobi (The Joy of Living)
- … and many more, culminating in the theme song “Inochi no Kioku” by Nikaido Kazumi.
You can listen to the full soundtrack on Apple Music.
Streaming Information
Looking to watch Kaguya-hime no Monogatari online? Check out our dedicated guide for details on where you can stream it, including services that might offer free viewing options.
Read more about streaming services for “Kaguya-hime no Monogatari” here.
Written by Inoue Shinzou
_
