Hayao Miyazaki, the renowned Japanese animator and director, begins planning the production of the animated film Ponyo, inspired by the fairy tale 'The Little Mermaid'.
The animation and production work for Ponyo officially starts under Studio Ghibli, directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Ponyo is first shown publicly at the Cannes Film Festival, marking its debut to an international audience.
Ponyo is released theatrically in Japan, attracting significant box office success and critical acclaim.
Ponyo receives its theatrical release in the United States, introducing the film to a broader international audience.
Fujimoto the sorcerer creates Ponyo, a goldfish who is capable of human-like thought and feelings.
Ponyo, trapped in a bottle, is found by a small boy named Sosuke who lives by the sea. They quickly become friends.
To become more human, Ponyo drinks Fujimoto's magical water that transforms her into a human girl partially but disrupts the underwater balance.
Ponyo's transformation causes sea levels to rise and powerful storms to form, threatening the coastal town.
Sosuke pledges to protect Ponyo no matter what form she takes as she continues to become human.
Ponyo becomes fully human, but must pass a test of love and trust to remain so.
Ponyo's father comes to accept her choice to live on land as a human, restoring balance to the sea.
