JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York — Studio Ghibli, ‘Final Fantasy’ @ 30, ‘Mary and the Witch’s Flower’

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.Start 2018 off right by heading down to your local concert hall, cinema, or arts center for some fantastic new year’s fare. Whether you enjoy movies, travel, or orchestral performances classic video games, treat yourself and catch a break from the cold.This month’s highlights include:Jan. 1-11The Complete Studio GhibliIFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue$15 adults, $11 childrenIn collaboration with GKIDS, IFC Center is pleased to present the return of this smash-hit retrospective of Japan’s famed Studio Ghibli animation house. Don’t miss your chance to see some of the greatest films of all time on the big screen! Titles include the favorites Spirited Away, Nausicaä and My Neighbor Totoro—with select screenings on 35mm prints! All films shown prior to 6 p.m. will be screened in the English-language version; evening shows will be subtitled in English. For a list of all films and dates, click here.Jan. 11-14Mugen Noh OthelloJapan Society, 333 East 47th Street$35, $30 Japan Society membersFollowing a sold-out run of Medea in 2011, Satoshi Miyagi and his company SPAC return to New York with another literary masterpiece, Othello. Miyagi re-tells Shakespeare’s famed tragedy through noh theater’s most distinct storytelling structure, mugen noh, or a play that features a spirit. Told from the perspective of Othello’s wife Desdemona, who returns as a ghost after her death, Miyagi’s production is replete with stunning masks and costumes as well as powerful live music and chanting. Performed in Japanese with English titles. The Friday, Jan. 12 performance is followed by an artist Q&A.Saturday, Jan. 13, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.Distant Worlds: Music from Final FantasyCarnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage), 881 Seventh Avenue$28-$120Distant Worlds brings its concert production to one of the world’s most famous orchestral venues. With composer Nobuo Uematsu in attendance, the Distant Worlds Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dessoff Choirs under the direction of Grammy Award-winner Arnie Roth celebrate the 30th anniversary of Final Fantasy. These special performances feature exclusive HD video presentations from Square Enix alongside classic scores and new premieres.Friday, Jan. 18Mary and the Witch’s FlowerEmpire 25, Kips Bay 15, Edgewater 16 (NJ, subtitled only)$15Fathom Events and GKIDS are proud to present this special one-night premiere event in select movie theaters nationwide, English-dubbed at 7:00 p.m. local time and subtitled at 8:00 p.m. local time. Studio Ponoc's debut film is by Academy Award-nominated director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who directed Studio Ghibli’s When Marnie Was There and The Secret World of Arrietty, and was an animator on the classic masterpieces Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo and others. Based on the 1971 young adult novel The Little Broomstick, Mary and The Witch’s Flower is an all-ages action fantasy adventure that hearkens back to some of the most beloved animated films of all time, full of ingenious characters, jaw-dropping imaginative worlds, and the simple, heartfelt story of a young girl trying to figure her place in the world. The English language version features the voice talents of Ruby Barnhill, Kate Winslet, and Jim Broadbent.Jan. 26-28The New York Times Travel ShowJacob K. Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street$20-25Calling all travel professionals: Set your wanderlust free! Now celebrating its 15th year, this annual event features over 30,000 travel professionals, with over 550 exhibitor booths representing more than 170 destinations. Get the latest information you need for planning your next global destination with over 40 destination-specific seminars, and focused niche topics from cruises to family travel, exclusive trade-only exhibition hours, and an industry reception.Want to stay in the loop on future events? Follow Justin on Facebook and Twitter.