It’s official: Studio Ghibli’s Kazu Tachinu, or “The Wind is Rising”, will be released in Japanese cinemas from July 20 this year.

Announced last December together with Kaguya Hime no Monogatari, this will be the first feature film that Hayao Miyazaki has both written and directed since 2008’s Ponyo.

The story is believed to be loosely based on one of Miyazaki’s own manga series, which in turn derived from a work by Japanese author Tatsuo Hori. Kaze Tachinu was originally intended to be joined by slightly darker tale Kaguya Hime no Monogatari for a simultaneous release, but that feature has sadly slipped back until autumn this year.

There has been no word yet regarding of the western release dates for either film, but we’ll be sure to keep all of you Studio Ghibli fans posted!

Source: IT Media (Japanese)