An image processing apparatus comprising: an encoding processing unit operable to generate a plurality of encoded streams of different display sizes with respect to each of a plurality of picture contents, to encode the picture contents in units of predetermined blocks using the encoded streams, and to generate an encoded stream of a multi-picture reproduction image to display the plurality of picture contents at the same time, wherein, when a parameter regarding encoding of an original block that is a block of the picture contents corresponding to one of the predetermined blocks, which is included in the encoded streams of the picture contents, is a prohibition parameter prohibited in the encoded stream of the multi-picture reproduction image, the encoding processing unit decodes an encoded stream of the original block, reencodes the stream so that the prohibition parameter is not included, and sets the reencoded stream as an encoded stream of the predetermined block, and when no parameter of the original block is the prohibition parameter, the encoding processing unit sets the encoded stream of the original block as the encoded stream of the predetermined block; wherein the prohibition parameter is an intra prediction mode showing a prediction direction of the original block which is prohibited for the predetermined block in the encoded stream of the multi-picture reproduction image when the predetermined block is positioned at a boundary of a slice or a frame of the multi-picture reproduction image which does not match, respectively, a boundary of a slice or a frame of one of the picture contents; and the image processing apparatus comprises: a receiving unit operable to receive display information showing a change of a display range of the multi-picture reproduction image, wherein, when the display information is received by the receiving unit, the encoding processing unit determines whether a parameter of the original block is the prohibition parameter. an encoding processing unit operable to generate a plurality of encoded streams of different display sizes with respect to each of a plurality of picture contents, to encode the picture contents in units of predetermined blocks using the encoded streams, and to generate an encoded stream of a multi-picture reproduction image to display the plurality of picture contents at the same time, wherein, when a parameter regarding encoding of an original block that is a block of the picture contents corresponding to one of the predetermined blocks, which is included in the encoded streams of the picture contents, is a prohibition parameter prohibited in the encoded stream of the multi-picture reproduction image, the encoding processing unit decodes an encoded stream of the original block, reencodes the stream so that the prohibition parameter is not included, and sets the reencoded stream as an encoded stream of the predetermined block, and when no parameter of the original block is the prohibition parameter, the encoding processing unit sets the encoded stream of the original block as the encoded stream of the predetermined block; wherein the prohibition parameter is an intra prediction mode showing a prediction direction of the original block which is prohibited for the predetermined block in the encoded stream of the multi-picture reproduction image when the predetermined block is positioned at a boundary of a slice or a frame of the multi-picture reproduction image which does not match, respectively, a boundary of a slice or a frame of one of the picture contents; and the image processing apparatus comprises: a receiving unit operable to receive display information showing a change of a display range of the multi-picture reproduction image, wherein, when the display information is received by the receiving unit, the encoding processing unit determines whether a parameter of the original block is the prohibition parameter. a receiving unit operable to receive display information showing a change of a display range of the multi-picture reproduction image, wherein, when the display information is received by the receiving unit, the encoding processing unit determines whether a parameter of the original block is the prohibition parameter.