Conan Movies and Ghibli Slots: Will This Year’s Release Feature a Digest Broadcast?

Conan Movies and Ghibli Slots: Will This Year’s Release Feature a Digest Broadcast?

Reader’s Question:
Will this year’s Conan movie not have a digest broadcast like before? I remember about a year ago, they aired the first five minutes of the million-dollar movie on some program. I guess it’s too much to expect something like that during today’s Ghibli slot, though…

Reflecting on Conan Movies
and Ghibli Slots

So, I was scrolling through some comments about this year’s Conan movie, and I stumbled upon a pretty interesting discussion. Someone was wondering if we’d get a digest broadcast like we did last year, where they aired the first few minutes of the movie on a variety show. It got me thinking about the whole experience of watching Conan movies and how they fit into the TV landscape, especially with the Ghibli slots taking up so much space these days. I remember the first time I saw one of those digest broadcasts. I was sitting on my couch, snacks scattered around me like I was preparing for a full-on movie marathon, and suddenly, there it was—the opening scene teasing the new Conan adventure. I couldn’t help but laugh at how excited I got just from those few minutes. It was like an appetizer for the full meal, you know? Then there was that comment about “猫の恩返し” (Neko no Ongaeshi, or “The Cat Returns”) being too short. I totally get that! When I watched it, I found myself thinking, “Wait, is it already over?” I mean, it’s a charming film, but it feels like they’re just getting started when it wraps up. The thought of filling the airtime with something else to make it fit into the Gold Frame (金ロー) just seems a bit off. I remember one time trying to stretch a short movie into a full family night, and we ended up watching silly behind-the-scenes clips just to fill the void. It was hilarious, but also a bit chaotic! I guess there’s something comforting about the classic length of a Ghibli film, like “紅の豚” (Kurenai no Buta, or “Porco Rosso”). It’s just the right amount of time to get lost in the story and still have a nice chunk of time for snacks and discussions afterward. It’s funny how we build these little rituals around movie nights—usually involving way too many snacks and some friendly debates on which character is the best. But you know, I really appreciate how these movies bring people together, whether it’s the laughter from Conan’s antics or the deeper themes in Ghibli films. It’s all about those shared moments, right? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Have you had a memorable experience with a Conan movie or a Ghibli film? Maybe you tried to fill some airtime with random clips too? Share your stories in the comments!