In this course we will be exploring both the fascinating differences and the surprising similarities that these two vastly influential animation studios share. Disney is known for almost a century as exporting a certain kind of American popular culture‚ optimistic, family-oriented and with easily understandable values of good versus evil. Its overall message is supported by the studio’s trademark brightly colored visuals and catchy song and dance numbers. In contrast, Ghibli Studios, along with other Japanese animation, started to catch fire internationally in the late twentieth century and was seen as offering an alternative to Disney’s (and Hollywood’s) happily ever after vision. While Ghibli, like Disney, creates immersive fantasy worlds that employ beautiful visuals and emotionally affecting musical scores, the studio’s overall vision is more complex and includes a willingness to tolerate ambiguity and an insistence on going beyond simplistic formulations of good versus evil. At the same time, both studios have important similarities in their brilliant use of animation techniques, their family orientation, broadly moral values system, choice of story and consistent use of the genres of fantasy and science fiction