The list of animated features qualifying for Oscar consideration was released last week, and the anime feature Ghost in the Shell 2:  Innocence, directed by Mamoru Oshii, was among the 11 titles on it.   This is an improvement over last year, when no anime features, including Millenium Actress, which arguably should have been included, were eligible (see 'Anime Shut Out at the Oscars').  Two years ago Miyazaki's Spirited Away won the Oscar, the first time an anime feature has been so honored.  Nominations will be released in late January. 

 

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence had a limited theatrical release in the U.S., with good results on a per theater basis (see 'Ghost in the Shell 2:  Innocence Tops Box Office'), perhaps driven by a television advertising campaign on targeted outlets (see 'TV Campaign for Ghost in the Shell 2:  Innocence'), but a total take of under $1 million in U.S. box office revenues.    

 

The DVD of GIS 2 will be out in December, allowing retailers to take advantage of any pre- or post-nomination Oscar buzz (see 'GIS 2:  Innocence DVD').  And, of course, there are the numerous other Ghost in the Shell products, including the manga from Dark Horse and anime series DVDs from Manga/Bandai. 

 

The other ten titles eligible for consideration include a number of titles with products already available or in stores soon, including:

 

The Incredibles

Shrek 2

Shark Tale

Polar Express

Spongebob Squarepants Movie

Teacher's Pet

Home on the Range

Cliffford's Really Big Movie

Legend of Buddha

Sky Blue