Studio Ghibli was briefly in the news earlier this week with word that Shimizu Takashi (The Grudge, Ju-on) would be directing a live-action adaptation of Eiko Kadono’s children’s fantasy novel Kiki’s Delivery Service.  Today, we’ve got a double-shot of Ghibli: a live-action short film titled Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo (Kyoshinhei Tokyo ni Arawaru) from director Higuchi Shinji (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and new images from Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises.

The first one needs little explanation beyond the title, but it’s fun to see Studio Ghibli getting in on some live-action throwbacks to the days of Godzilla and Ultraman.  As for Miyazaki, The Wind Rises is based on his most recent comic and centers on Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed the Zero Fighter used by Japanese pilots in World War II.  Hit the jump to watch the short and to check out some images from Miyazaki’s new project. 

Fans of Studio Ghibli will be happy to hear they’ve added two new films to their upcoming slate from two of the medium’s most acclaimed directors.  First up from Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) comes The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu). Based on his most recent comic, The Wind Rises centers on Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed the Zero Fighter used by Japanese pilots in World War II. In an interesting note, the manga’s characters happen to be anthropomorphic pigs.

Also added to Studio Ghibli’s list is Princess Kaguya Story (Kaguya-Hime no Monogatari), the new film from director Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies). This film is based on the Japanese folk story, “Tale of the Bamboo Cutter,” which was also referenced in Takahata’s 1999 work, My Neighbors the Yamadas. Hit the jump for a look at images from Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises manga.