TLDR : My Youtube channel was terminated. I will try to re-start it, if possible at all (unlikely).
Long story – About 2 weeks ago, I uploaded the flip-through video for the art book Painting The Worlds Of Studio Ghibli on my youtube channel. Shortly after, the video was removed by youtube after Ghibli Studio submitted a copyright claim. The studio then combed through my past videos and submitted numerous other copyright claims for other Ghibli Studio art books like the Castle In The Sky and Nausicaa Imageboards books, among others.
Once the total number of copyright strikes received exceeds 3 in total, Youtube will proceed to terminate the channel, which is exactly what happened.
Of course, Ghibli Studio had every right to assert their copyright claims. That said, my primary purpose in creating these flip-through videos is to give readers who might be interested in picking up these art books a preview so that they can make an informed choice, an endeavor in my opinion, not entirely devoid of merit.
According to Youtube regulations, I will not be able to create a new channel, so I am not sure what else can be done at this point. I’ll provide further updates if anything new comes up.
I want to thank all the previous 9700+/- subscribers to my channel for all your support, and I hope you’ll continue to support my book reviews through my website.
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Painting The Worlds Of Studio Ghibli Art Book Review
February 22nd, 2025 at 3:35 pm
That’s sad! Good thing that you have your website, so we can still follow your awesome reviews!
February 22nd, 2025 at 4:23 pm
Here to stay and will go wherever you go because feel and believe your intentions was good without question. And your cherry blossoms of reviews planted the seeds that helped us grow and be in the know, leading us to the lake to buy the books that is delicious like a fresh baked cake with sprinkled coconut flakes.
February 23rd, 2025 at 4:40 am
I source books for several school libraries and regularly use your channel to find good books. The concern, particularly with art books, is that the content could be inappropriate for the students. By your flicking through them I am able to make decisions whether to purchase them or not. Ironically it was your posting of several Ghibli books that prompted me to order them for the libraries I am affiliated with. I appreciate what you do.
February 23rd, 2025 at 6:28 am
I love your work and have been following you since the day I found your site. Through your recommendations, I have acquired numerous books, and I am very grateful for that
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:15 pm
Yeah, what a shortsighted approach by them. I frequently buy artbooks that you’ve reviewed, and the flip-throughs only help get word out to people who are interested. Ghibli’s decision doesn’t make a lot of sense in this day and age (and I say that as a middle-aged guy!).
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:11 pm
I’ve bought a good amount of artbooks that I wouldn’t have heard about due to your website and videos.
Thank you for your recommendations. Maybe if the videos were set to link only from the website? The flipthroughs were very helpful to inform a purchasing decision, although I did use the website more and the video as a supplement.
February 24th, 2025 at 5:06 am
Thats unfortunate.
I’m willing to bet they made a good amount of sales thanks to your flip through videos.
You had one of the only reliable sources of artbook preview videos.
I have definitely purchased books after seeing some of your videos and blogs.
I will continue to look at your blog for new artbook reviews.
February 24th, 2025 at 6:46 am
Dude! I’m so sorry. Especially after you went of your way to show less of the book in your recent review the backgrounds book for youtube.
Your channel was awesome. If anything, Ghibli specifically made a lot of money through purchases thanks to your reviews. So many of the Ghibli books I bought were specifically *because* of this channel. (other people have mentioned this, but I don’t think I would have bought all of those e-konte books if it wasn’t for your reviews)
Have you considered contacting the studio directly about this, as you know Japanese?
Echoing the sentiment of everyone here. You have my full support.
February 24th, 2025 at 7:13 am
the reason i knew of the latest ghibli book was because of your website.
the reason i have bought ghibli art books in the past is because of the flip throughs you have done on your youtube channel.
your website is a valuable resource for artists and lovers of artbooks.
ghibli need to rethink this decision.
February 24th, 2025 at 8:53 am
What a pity!
Your website is one of my favourites when it comes to check some good reviews of japanese animation books. In fact, thanks to you, I could get the Evangelion 3.0 groundworks.
Honestly, I understand the copyright claims, but in this case, no, cause you just were making some flipthroughs of these books. Is funny cause there are a lot of these kind of videos in the Internet, and no claims have been made…
I hope you can continue with this website.
February 25th, 2025 at 2:50 am
Thank you so much for the support everyone ! I’m really glad my reviews and the videos have been helpful in making informed purchasing decisions.
I will try to appeal to youtube and Ghibli, but my expectations are low that they will respond favorably. Nonetheless, I will also explore options on how to create a new channel and will provide updates whenever available.
Once again, thank you for all the support !
February 25th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
I’m sorry to hear that the community has lost a valuable resource. Your website has always been my primary source of artbook discovery so I’m grateful that it is still going strong. Personally I avoid flip-throughs as they feel a bit like a spoiler!
February 26th, 2025 at 12:51 am
Sorry to hear that!
I’ve really enjoyed your videos, and often used them to make informed purchasing decisions.
I’ll continue reading posts here regardless, but hope that your appeal offers favourable resolve.
February 26th, 2025 at 5:19 am
Sad news indeed, but your website still is very enjoyable even without the videos. I’ve been following your website for years now, and plan to do so for many more. Thank you very much for all the work and reviews!
February 28th, 2025 at 7:34 am
I’m very sorry, I often use videos to understand if an artbook it’s interesting to buy. Your videos were definitely helpful.
Unfortunately there are some copyright rules that go beyond commercial “common sense”: Whoever owns the rights to something must demonstrate that he defends them regularly, vice versa he creates a new situation that generates a precedent that can be used by those who violate (for much more serious reasons) that owner’s copyright. It’s a very convoluted concept that has led to paradoxical situations.
Below an odd example of that “rule”:
https://www.autoblog.com/news/total-croc-porsche-suing-popular-shoe-company-over-naming-right
It’s essentially not a question of economic damage, but of demonstrating that they are protecting their IP (for future situations).
I’m sorry you ended up in this.
March 5th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
Mark/Bryan/Dan – Really appreciate the support ! I hope you will continue to find my reviews useful and enjoyable ! :]
Cristiano – Thank you for the information. As you mentioned, Ghibli most definitely acted assertively to protect their IP…
March 9th, 2025 at 6:24 am
This is absolutely ridiculous… The only way you could possibly affect Ghibli by making these movies is promote their stuff and rev up the sales… which is FREE marketing they get.
Insane. I’m glad we still have your site.. you’ve been quite a benchmark of my art book purchases for quite a few years now 🙂 Thank you for that
March 11th, 2025 at 1:35 am
That’s brutal. And of course YouTube does not care to listen to any objections. Your reviews and favourites of the year serve as my inspirations for quite some time. I received Iain McCaig’s Once Upon a Time in the Sketchbook and AKIRA Layouts & Key Frames not so long ago. Thank you for the reviews and all the work you’ve put in YouTube and the blog. Keep up the good work.
March 11th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
That’s really sad, but you take it really well and reasonably. But on the upside … maybe personal blogging isn’t as dead as many claimed. Of course you, me or everyone can get into trouble because of copyright claims concerning e.g. photos of sources in blogs. But in the end the blog still remains and not all of the work is lost.
I’m usually a really silent reader of your blog, so this is what it takes for me to write a comment (sad). Keep up the amazing work. In RL as in blog.
March 16th, 2025 at 3:17 am
Chris – I agree, but Ghibli doesn’t see it that way unfortunately. I’m really glad that you enjoy my site and thank you for the support !
Oleg – Yeah, I wrote in to appeal but got no reply whatsoever. Just gotta move on…but thank you for the support ! Hope you’re enjoying the AKIRA layout book and Iain McCaig’s sketchbook !
Miss Booleana – haha, (I’m screaming internally). Just kidding…I’ve made peace with it and will move on and try to restart it if possible. Thank you for silently supporting my blog all this time, I hope you’ll continue to enjoy my reviews !