Japanese Anime Film Academy Award Nominees Announced

The Nippon Academy-Sho Association, Japan’s equivalant to America’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has announced the 2008 nominees for the 32nd Japan Academy Prizes.

Nominees in the animated film category are:
Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear (TMS Entertainment)
Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend (Shinei Animation)
One Piece: Episode of Chopper + Winter Bloom, Cherry Blossom Miracle (Toei Animation)
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (Studio Ghibli)
The Sky Crawlers (Production I.G)

In other anime/manga related nominees, Ken’ichi Matsuyama has been nominated for a best actor award for his performance in Detroit Metal City, the adaptation of Kiminori Wakasugi’s manga. Shota Matsuda has been nominated for a “best rookie” award for his role in Ikigami, based on the manga by Motoro Mase. Composer Joe Hisaishi has been nominated for outstanding music awards for both Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea and Okuribito.

Studio Ghibli will be awarded the Shigeru Okada Prize for producing high-quality films that contribute to arts and entertainment through original creativity and high production values.

Winners will be announced on February 20, 2009.

Source: Anime News Network