<center><b>From The Creators Of The Academy Award®-Winning Film “Spirited Away”
(2002 Best Animated Feature Film)
MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS POM POKO
<i>AVAILABLE ON DVD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA ON AUGUST 16, 2005</i>
<u>Animated Treasures Feature The Voice Talents of Jim Belushi, Molly Shannon, Clancy Brown, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and More</u></b></center>
BURBANK, Calif., July 14, 2005 –Walt Disney Home Entertainment and Studio Ghibli proudly present <b>MY
NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS</b> and <b>POM POKO</b>, two wonderful animated films from the master storytellers at
Studio Ghibli, creators of the Academy Award®-winning film “<i>Spirited Away</i>” (2002 Best Animated Feature Film)
and “<i>Howl’s Moving Castle</i>.” Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, is the
premiere animation studio in Japan. Both <b>MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS</b> and <b>POM POKO</b> are available
on DVD for the first time in North America on August 16. Each animated film includes a brand-new, stellar
English language voice cast and features the original Japanese language track. The DVDs also include complete,
original storyboards and the original trailers. <b>MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS</b> also features a “Behind-The-
Microphone” featurette with the English-language voice cast.
Brad Bird, the director of Disney/Pixar’s smash hit “<i>The Incredibles</i>,” praises <b>MY NEIGHBORS THE
YAMADAS</b> as “a wise, and comedically freewheeling look at suburban family life.” Come follow the ups and
downs of everyday life, from the hilarious to the touching, with the quirky Yamada family. This series of comedic
adventures is brilliantly presented in a unique, visually striking comic strip style.
<b>POM POKO</b> is an extraordinary tale of transformation and hope told as the human world begins to encroach upon
the animal world. The Racoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their forest by urban development. They
join together and master the magical art of “transformation” in an attempt to save their homeland, but will they be
successful?
<b>MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS</b> (single-disc DVD) and <b>POM POKO</b> (two-disc DVD) screenplays are both
written and directed by Isao Takahata. Each title is available for $29.99 (S.R.P.).
The English-language cast for <b>MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS</b> features the talents of
Jim Belushi (“<i>Snow Dogs</i>,” TV’s “<i>According To Jim</i>”), Molly Shannon (“<i>The
Santa Clause 2</i>”), Tress MacNeille (“<i>The Lion King 1 ½</i>”), Daryl Sabara (“<i>The Polar Express</i>,”
“<i>Spy Kids</i>”), Liliana Mumy (TV’s “<i>Higglytown Heroes</i>”) and David Ogden Stiers (“<i>Spirited Away</i>,”
“<i>Lilo and Stitch</i>”).
The English-language cast for <b>POM POKO</b> features the talents of
Jonathan Taylor Thomas (TV’s “<i>Home Improvement</i>”), Clancy Brown (“<i>The Spongebob
SquarePants Movie”</i>), J.K. Simmons (“<i>Spider-Man</i>,” TV’s “<i>Law and Order</i>”), Tress MacNeille (“<i>The Lion
King 1 ½</i>”), Olivia D’Abo (“<i>Tarzan & Jane</i>”) and Maurice LaMarche (“<i>Kim Possible: So The Drama</i>”).
<b><i><u>MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS</b></i></u>:
<b>MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS</b> is based on the long-running comic strip of the same name by Japan’s bestknown
comic-strip writer and artist Hisaichi Ishii. It is told in a series of episodic vignettes that center around a
middle-aged Japanese businessman, Takashi Yamada, and his family members. Besides Takashi, the “head” of his
household, there is Matsuko, his wife, who is good-natured and has absolutely no interest in or talent for
housework; Noboru, his teenage son, who hates studying, the main feature of his schoolboy life; Nonoko, his eightyear-
old daughter whose large mouth and loud voice are unusual for someone so small; Shige, Matsuko’s seventyyear-
old sharp-tongued mother who lives with them, and the family dog, Pochie.
<b>MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS</b> offers a close look, often touching and often humorous, at the kind of
traditional family that may be disappearing in an increasingly modern, increasingly Westernized Japan.
<b><u>“MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS” Bonus Materials</b></u>
• <b><u>Behind The Microphone With Voice Talent From The Film</b></u>
Includes interviews with Jim Belushi, Molly Shannon, Daryl Sabara and Liliana Mumy.
• <b><u>Complete Storyboards</b></u>
Get an insider’s look at the film’s artistry – in this bonus feature, the entire film is shown in storyboard
form.
• <b><u>Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers</b></u>
<b><u>MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS
STREET DATE: AUGUST 16, 2005</b></u>
<u>Suggested retail price</u>: $29.99 (DVD)
<u>Rated</u>: “PG” For Mild Thematic Elements
Bonus materials not rated nor close-captioned.
<u>Feature running time</u>: Approximately 104 minutes
<u>DVD aspect ratio</u>: 1.85:1 enhanced for 16x9 TV screens
<u>DVD Sound</u>: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
<u>Language</u>: English audio, Original Japanese audio
English subtitles
<b><i><u>POM POKO</b></i></u>:
<b>POM POKO</b> is an extraordinary tale of the clash between modern civilization and the natural world. The
Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their beloved forest by the rapid development of new houses and
shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The
clever Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are able to appear as humans. In
often hilarious ways, they use their powers to scare off the advancement of civilization into their ancestral
homeland. But will it be enough? Or will the Raccoons learn how to live in balance with all who share their land?
<b><u>“POM POKO” Bonus Materials</b></u>
• <b><u>Complete Storyboards</b></u>
Get an insider’s look at the film’s artistry – in this bonus feature, the entire film is show in storyboard
form.
• <b><u>Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers And TV Spots</b></u>
<b><u>POM POKO
STREET DATE: AUGUST 16, 2005</b></u>
<u>Suggested retail price</u>: $29.99 (2-Disc DVD)
<u>Rated</u>: "PG" for Violence, Scary Images and Thematic
Elements
Bonus materials not rated nor close-captioned.
<u>Feature running time</u>: Approximately 119 minutes
<u>DVD aspect ratio</u>: 1.85:1 enhanced for 16x9 TV screens
<u>DVD Sound</u>: Dolby® Digital 2.0 Surround Sound
<u>Language</u>: English audio, Original Japanese audio
English subtitles
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009MAO3M/thehomeimprovemz"><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0009MAO3M.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg"> Buy <b>My Neighbors the Yamadas</b> from Amazon.com</a>
<a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/myneighborstheyamadas.html">Read our <b>My Neighbors the Yamadas</b> DVD Review</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009MAO3W/thehomeimprovemz"><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0009MAO3W.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg"> Buy <b>Pom Poko</b> from Amazon.com</a>
<a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/pompoko.html">Read our <b>Pom Poko</b> DVD Review</a>
MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS
© 1999 Hisaichi Ishii • Hatake Jimusho • GNHB © Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc.
POM POKO
©1994 Hatake Jimusho • GNH © Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc.
Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, is the premiere animation studio in
Japan. Their films have become a beloved part of Japanese popular culture, in much the same way that
Walt Disney’s work has been embraced by Americans. Cultivating a creative force of many talented
directors, animators and storytellers under the revered brilliance of Miyazaki and Takahata, Studio Ghibli’s
films are praised for their originality, dazzling animation and epic storytelling. Walt Disney Home
Entertainment is proud to partner with Studio Ghibli to introduce these unique masterpieces to the North
American audience.
Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry
leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney,
Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.
Last edited by Luke on Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:59 pm, edited 7 times in total.
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