Director Deep Dive: Hayao Miyazaki
In our culture, I often come across a strange belief that animation is something just for children and should not be taken seriously, but this closed-minded thinking is proven so wrong by the master of animation: The great Hayao Miyazaki.
Miyazaki is a Japanese artist and filmmaker known for his stunning animation and iconic characters. As a co-founder of the legendary Studio Ghibli, he has helmed iconic films such as Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), and Ponyo (2008) among others.
Miyazaki’s first feature film, which is also one of his most underrated, is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984). This film, though it may be his debut, is one of the most beautifully animated and well-structured in his entire collection. The plot of this film, in short, centers around our protagonist Princess Nausicaa as she looks to protect one of the last strongholds in a post-war world from the ever-growing poisonous jungle. The spectacular set pieces and important environmental messages incorporated add even more depth to an already great film from Miyazaki; it’s evident you need to watch it for yourself.
The most iconic film from his early filmography has to be one of the sweetest films ever, My Neighbor Totoro (1988). We follow two sisters as they move to the countryside to be closer to their hospitalized mother and they soon discover that the surrounding forests are inhabited by Totoro’s. If there were ever a film I would want to live in, it would be this one by far. Our protagonists Mei and Satsuki, and their relationship, are at the heart of this film, and along with them, Totoro is just an icon; you simply need to watch it unfold for yourself.
By far Miyazaki's most adventurous film is Princess Mononoke (1997). Here, we follow Ashitaka, a tribal young boy, after he is cursed by a boar god and is subsequently sent on a journey to find a cure. On the way, he bumps into a conflict between San, who is trying to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, who is doing everything in her power to destroy it. This film includes my favorite score of all of Miyazaki's films and also includes some beautifully created set pieces that help capture the grand sense of adventure that is so intoxicating.
The most creative and unique film in Miyazaki’s filmography is Ponyo (2008). In this film, we follow Sosuke, a young boy, who finds a goldfish stuck in a bottle and names her Ponyo. What he doesn’t know, however, is that she is the daughter of a wizard and sea goddess. This is a rather unconventional love story, to say the least, but still manages to get viewers to buy into their unconventional relationship and the pure magic behind it all. Additionally, the oceanside landscapes are truly a work of art and contribute to yet another beautifully animated film from Miyazaki.
My favorite film of Hayao Miyazaki’s has to be Spirited Away (2001). We follow Chihiro, whose parents undergo a terrible transformation at the hands of a mysterious force and is sent on an enthralling journey to bring her parents back. I enjoy everything about this film, especially the iconic characters Chihiro, No-Face, Haku, and Yubaba; never have I felt so entangled in a character's journey! Not only that, but they’re relatively simple too, as that is the magic of Hayao Miyazaki and his films.
Some of the other iconic films in Hayao Miyazaki’s filmography include Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), KiKi’s Delivery Service (1989), Porco Rosso (1992), and his most recent and final film The Boy and the Heron (2023). Miyazaki is one of the greatest filmmakers to ever do it, yet, he often gets overlooked because of the medium he uses for his films: Animation. Regardless of this stigma, Miyazaki’s work truly is life-changing and gives you new perspectives on some ordinary things you would’ve normally overlooked. Unfortunately, with that being said, The Boy and the Heron (2023) is supposedly Miyazaki’s final film. If that is the case, he was able to go out on top and finish off a stellar filmography with a product that encapsulates everything that has come before it.
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