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One of the most famous and respected creators of anime, or Japanese animated films.
Miyazaki is the creator of many popular anime feature films, as well as some manga (Japanese comics). Although largely unknown in the West outside of animation circles until Miramax released his film Princess Mononoke in 1999, his films have enjoyed huge box-office and critical success in Japan and East Asia for many years. Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is the top-grossing film of all time in Japan; Princess Mononoke held the same title for a short period until the release of Titanic later in the same year.
Miyazaki’s films are distinguished by recurring themes, such as humanity’s relationship to nature and technology, and the difficulty of maintaining a pacifist ethic. The protagonists of his movies are often strong, independent girls or young women; the “villains” often turn out to be ambiguous characters with redeeming qualities.
Miyazaki’s films have generally been financial successes. His success has invited comparisons with American animator Walt Disney. However, Miyazaki does not see himself as a person building an animation empire, but as an animator lucky enough to have been allowed to make films with his own personal touch. With that statement, one might compare him to Yuri Norstein, Frederic Back, or Chuck Jones as an animator’s animator.
Tags: Hayao Miyazaki, Japanese comics, Walt Disney
