In 1996, The Walt Disney Studios signed a deal with Tokuma Shoten for distribution rights to the theatrical works of Studio Ghibli worldwide (excluding Asia except for Japan and Taiwan and excluding Grave of the Fireflies which was not published by Tokuma), including what then was the most recent film, Princess Mononoke.
I 1996 indgik Disney en aftale med Tokuma Shoten angående distributionsrettighederne for biograffilm-værkene fra Studio Ghibli verdenen over (eksklusiv Asien med undtagelse af Japan og Taiwan og eksklusiv Grave of the Fireflies som ikke blev udgivet af Tokuma), inklusiv den tids nyeste film, Prinsesse Mononoke.