Profile: Hayao Miyazaki

Seen as a cinematic titan in Japan, and over time has become much loved around the world.
Animation film director Hayao Miyazaki is soon to be bowing out with his eleventh and final feature film, The Wind Rises.

After a promising success in 1979 with The Castle Of Cagliostro and huge hit in 1984 with Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind, Miyazaki founded Studio Ghibli. Located on the edge of Tokyo, the Studio Ghibli museum and studio has become quite an attraction for many tourists. It may not be like Disneyland, but there is still a certain magic in the air that just fills everyone with happiness.

With nine of Miyazaki's films being part of Studio Ghibli, eleven others have contributed to the efforts of this highly successful studio. But in terms of box-office and awards success, Miyazaki's films are the reason for Studio Ghibli being a worldwide phenomenon. With four of his films in my top 100 of all-time and couple of others narrowly missing out, he is as successful as Spielberg, Scorsese and Cameron.

With multiple box-office number ones in Japan, many cult groups around the world and a few major awards including an Oscar, Miyazaki will be sorely missed and everyone is wondering if the team in Tokyo can find another man like him.
With his love and dedication to hand drawn animation, his stories having a complex morality compared to the rest of major family blockbusters. I am not sure if we will get someone like him ever again.

Despite his love for fantasy, his final installment 'The Wind Rises' is based on a true story and is a bit more personal. It is based on the life Jiro Horikoshi who invented the Zero fighter. It got nominated for Best Animated film at this years Oscars and it seems to have more of an adult tone and is a bit light on the fantasy level which could put the lovers of fantasy off, but the themes are still like all his previous work. I think just to see Miyazaki's swansong is enough for the hardcore fans to attend this wondrous event.

Here are my reviews of his entire feature film collection:

The Castle Of Cagliostro - The story about a gang known for their heists get caught up in saving a princess from a castle that holds a treasure, where she is the key to get to.
I found it quite wacky, but really fast-paced and has nice witty humor. Nothing like any of Miyazaki's other back catalog, but a good solid animated caper.

Rating: 7/10

Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind - The first breath-taking fantasy epic which has as a pacifist called Nausicaa who is trying to prevent two clans from destroying each other and possibly, the planet.
This film really struck on what you could do with animation and can easily appeal to adults.

Rating: 9/10

Laputa: Castle In The Sky - A highly enjoyable swashbuckling fantasy adventure about a boy and girl racing against pirates to find the last of the legendary floating castles. It is definitely the type of film Hollywood would have made a franchise out of.

Rating: 8/10

My Neighbor Totoro - A lot of peoples personal favorite. When two girls move to the country with their father, they discover a number of forest spirits and go on numerous adventures.
Great animation, wonderful set-pieces, fascinating characters and has such an emotional tone.

Rating: 9/10

Kiki's Delivery Service - Not as much as a phenomenon as Totoro, but still a really impressive feature. It features a young witch beginning her independent life and decides to help out a small community.
It is probably more kid friendly, but as enjoyable as the rest of Miyazaki's work.

Rating: 8/10

Porco Rosso - A terrific mix of vintage Miyazaki weirdness and old fashioned romance story.

It stars a fight pilot in the 1930's who has been cursed to look like a pig.

Rating: 8/10

Princess Mononoke - Some people call this the 'Star War's of animation. It involves wars, forest gods, many other mythical creatures.

This could very well be the most imaginative and the scareist of Miyazaki's works.

Rating: 9/10

Spirited Away - Universally known as Miyazaki's masterpiece and my favorite. During a journey to a new home, a 10-year old wanders into a world ruled by gods and spirits.

Not only it is an amazing creation, it's artistry gives that extra praise from not jut the fans, but people who have never experience Miyazaki before.

Rating: 10/10

Howl's Moving Castle - This is probably the one that gets better and better with each viewing.

When a young woman is cursed with an old body by an evil witch, she then embarks on a journey to a wizard to break the spell.

Rating: 9/10

Ponyo - Basically a re-telling of The Little Mermaid.

Miyazaki's portrayal involves a five-year boy and his relationship with his goldfish that wants to be human.

Rating: 8/10

The Wind Rises - Such a touching story to cap off his career.

This story portrays the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed Japanese fighter planes in World War II

It has a great inspiring feel to it along with an emotional love story to give it that variety.

Rating: 8/10



So with Miyazaki leaving, what will happen now? His son Goro has made some promising films with From Up On Poppy Hill being his most recent project. But I cannot see any major heir to the Studio Ghibli throne. It is like if Nick Park departed the Wallace and Gromit franchise or John Lasseter left Pixar.
One thing is for certain, the magic will be missed and I will be very interested to see where Studio Ghibli go from here. But for the time being, let us all remember the great man that is Hayao Miyazaki. If you do not know him, then make people feels envious of you and watch his entire collection this week.