In the tunnels, they meet Uncle Pom, who shows them deposits of the glowing mineral Aetherium, the same material as Sheeta's crystal. They are attacked and fall into a mine shaft, but are saved again by the crystal, which lowers them deep into the pit. However, they are found and pursued by Dola's gang as well as the army and Muska. Determined to clear his father's name, Pazu vows to find Laputa. The next morning, Pazu shows Sheeta a picture his father took of Laputa, a mythical flying island. She is caught by Pazu, who takes her to his home. Attempting to escape, Sheeta falls from the airship, but is saved by the magic of the now-glowing crystal, which lowers her slowly. It has been cited as an influential classic in the steampunk and dieselpunk genres.Īn airship carrying Sheeta - an orphan girl abducted by government agent Muska - is attacked by Dola and her gang, seeking Sheeta's crystal necklace. Laputa has had a strong influence on Japanese popular culture, and has inspired numerous films, media and games, in Japan and internationally. In Japanese polls asking about the greatest animations, it was voted the second-best animated film at the 2006 Japan Media Arts Festival and was voted first place in a 2008 Oricon audience poll. It went on to gross a total of approximately $157 million in box office, home video and soundtrack sales, as of 2021. The film received positive reviews and grossed over $16 million at the box office. The film won the Animage Anime Grand Prix in 1986. Set in a fictional late 19th century, it follows the adventures of a boy and girl who are trying to keep a powerful crystal from the army, a group of secret agents, and a family of pirates, while searching for a legendary floating castle. It is the first film by Studio Ghibli, produced for Tokuma Shoten and distributed by the Toei Company. Laputa: Castle in the Sky ( Japanese: 天空の城ラピュタ, Hepburn: Tenkū no Shiro Rapyuta), known simply as Castle in the Sky in North America, is a 1986 Japanese animated fantasy adventure film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

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