Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki at an important event. (http://twitchfilm.com/news/2011/11/hayao-miyazakis-new-film-will-not-be-one-that-everyone-can-relax-and-watch.php (Hugo Ozman))

      "I never read reviews. I'm not interested. But I value a lot the reactions of the spectators" (Hayao Miyazaki). A quote from the man himself, Miyazaki admits to cherishing the "reactions of the spectators" and not the reviews. Miyazaki was born on the outskirts of Tokyo in 1941, and as a result, spent his childhood growing up in a country at total war with much of the world. "Graduating from university in 1963 he did not go into industry or academics, but took a job with the animation studio of Toei-Cine," (Hayao Miyzaki). "Hayao Miyazaki is one of the premiere creators of anime: Japanese animation films, comic books or manga, and television series." (Miyazaki Hayao). All of the aspects of where and how Miyazaki grew up all have some part in his films. Incorporating his own memories or experiences into his films add to the sentimentality of his films, making them more attuned to reality. Hayao Miyazaki uses his heart-warming and passionate animations to serve as a sort of 'warning' to his audience to thoroughly think through our decisions, appreciate life, and to leave each place better then how we found it. 

Princess Mononoke (http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Mononoke-Hayao-Miyazaki/dp/B00003CXBK (Hayao Miyazaki))

     Hayao Miyazaki is recognized for his outstanding ingenuity that supplies his audience entertainment and moral awareness. Miyazaki's films have earned him many nominations and awards in the movie business. "Golden Bear, Berlin Film Festival, best animated film award, New York Film Critics' Circle, and Cinekid Film Award, all 2002, Annie Awards for best feature film, best direction, and best writing, International Animated Film Association Hollywood, and Oscar for best animated film, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, both 2003, and best animated film awards, Los Angeles Film Critics Association and Broadcast Film Critics Association, all for "Howl's Moving Castle." (Miyazaki Hayao). Miyazaki has found popularity and respect as a premiere animator by the pure genius behind all of his films. His want for perfection and creativity cause him to exceed the standards of animation. He also comes up with thrilling storylines and purposes for each and every one of his animations. It is set in feudal Japan, and centers on a young princess who is raised by wolves, and who tries to defend the forest from encroaching human occupation." (Hayao Miyazaki). His theme for one of his hit film, "Princess Mononoke", is the disruption, destruction, and distrust that humans are creating to the environment and to their peers. Hayao creates his stories by addressing a few of the flaws humans tend to have. He always cleverly sneaks in a lasting message into his films. Miyazaki's ingenuity shines through in all of his works. This creativity brings joy and understanding to his audience.

     Known for the deep morals in his films, Miyazaki tells people to be wary of their actions and their consequences. At the end of each film, the protagonist and the audience learn the whole meaning of the film. "'I've come to the point where I just can't make a movie without addressing the problem of humanity as part of an ecosystem.'" (Metro Magazine). Miyazaki himself admits that the human population is currently causing much more damage to the ecosystem and to their own morals than improving them. Those topics are often the theme of his films. Some of his films also influence audience to be environmentally aware. "An avid environmentalist" (Hayao Miyazaki). He is a hardcore environmentalist. Some of his animations have to do with human activity ruining the natural environment. He tries to convince people to stop with all of the excessive activity in our ecosystems. Miyazaki clearly shows his environmental side in a few of his films, he also shows the unhappiness hasty decisions can cause. 

My Neighbor Totoro (http://www.squidoo.com/my-neighbor-totoro-coloring-pages-and-printables (Hayao Miyazaki))

     Miyazaki shows his perspicacity by illustrating the relationship between humans and other deities. In "Princess Mononoke", he bases the plot in Japan during the olden days. The conflict involves spirits, gods, and careless humans. In these films. pre-modern expressions of Shintoism are visually transformed and introduced to a largely urban audience through symbolic moments that offer a resonant connection, albeit a mediated one, with the natural and spiritual worlds revered by the Japanese." (Metro Magazine). Hayao takes Japanese traditional beliefs and molds then into his stories, creating his other-worldly films. He ties the conflict usually between fantasy characters and humans. Hayao also uses people he has met in real life as inspirations for his characters. "He also admits to using real people as his inspiration for characters, and many films are therefore quite personal. My Neighbor Totoro is about two sisters whose mother has been hospitalized - just as his own mother had been during his childhood." (Hayao Miyazaki). People he has met have sent him that good/emotional vibe that may sometimes be inspiring to him. His films may sometimes have emotional and real ties to some tough times in people's lives. Miyazaki shows the true nature of humans and how their actions could cause hardships in the future.

      Hayao Miyazaki without a doubt, inspires millions of people. "The 21st century is a complex and unforeseeable epoch. Our thinking habits and our values, which until now looked settled, are being challenged." (Hayao Miyazaki). Miyazaki is an inspiration because he knows of the flaws that plague the human race as a whole. He addresses those faults in his films, trying to spread the awareness of them. Miyazaki wants to have a better world for the upcoming generations. He addresses those faults in his films, trying to spread the awareness of them. "Personally I am very pessimistic. But when, for instance, one of my staff has a baby you can't help but bless them for a good future. Because I can't tell that, 'Oh, you shouldn't have come into this life.' And yet I know the world is heading in a bad direction. So with those conflicting thoughts in mind, I think about what kind of films I should be making."(Hayao Miyazaki). That is one of his most admirable traits, caring for the generations to come, hoping that they don't have to live in a 'fault riddled' economy like us. Typically at the end of his films, everything is great and everyone wants to start anew. Hayao Miyazaki will keep getting recognized for his films for many, many years for his genius, inspirational films, and a hero to many. 

Ashbolt, Alice. "Biography Reference Center." EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. Web. 13 Dec. 2011

Clode, Jerry, and Lucy Wright. "The animated worlds of Hayao Miyazaki: filmic representations of Shinto." Metro Magazine 143 (2005): 46+.Academic OneFile. Web. 13 Dec. 2011

"Hayao Miyazaki." Authors and Artists for Young Adults. Vol. 37. Detroit: Gale, 2001.Gale Biography In Context. Web. 13 Dec. 2011.

"Miyazaki Hayao." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 13 Dec.