Hayao Miyazaki

Born:January 5, 1941

Place of Birth:Tokyo, Japan

Known For:Directing

Biography

Hayao Miyazaki, born on January 5, 1941, in Japan, is a legendary figure in the world of animation. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Miyazaki has become renowned for his work as a manga artist, film director, and animator. Alongside Isao Takahata, he co-founded Studio Ghibli, a powerhouse in the animation industry known for producing captivating and imaginative films that have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

Miyazaki's journey in animation began at Toei Animation, where he started as an in-between artist before eventually making his mark as a director with his debut feature film, "Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro," in 1979. This marked the beginning of a prolific career that would see him create beloved classics such as "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" and "Princess Mononoke," which showcased his unique storytelling and artistic vision.

While Miyazaki's films had garnered acclaim in Japan, it was the release of "Princess Mononoke" in 1997 that introduced him to a wider international audience. The film's success not only solidified his reputation as a master storyteller but also drew comparisons to animation giants like Walt Disney and Robert Zemeckis, underscoring his influence on the industry.

One of Miyazaki's most iconic works, "Spirited Away," further solidified his status as a visionary filmmaker. The film's enchanting narrative, coupled with its stunning animation, resonated with audiences around the globe and earned Miyazaki accolades, including an American Academy Award, a testament to his unparalleled talent and creativity.

Miyazaki's films often delve into profound themes, exploring humanity's relationship with nature, technology, and the complexities of maintaining a pacifist ideology. His protagonists, often strong and independent young women, reflect his feminist beliefs, while his narratives challenge conventional storytelling norms by featuring morally complex characters and thought-provoking dilemmas.

Beyond his creative endeavors, Miyazaki is known for his outspoken views on capitalism and globalization, using his platform to critique societal issues and advocate for a more sustainable and compassionate world. His contributions to the animation industry have left an indelible mark, inspiring generations of artists and filmmakers to push boundaries and embrace storytelling that resonates on a deeper level.

Hayao Miyazaki's legacy as a visionary filmmaker and storyteller continues to endure, with his films standing as timeless classics that transcend cultural boundaries and speak to the universal themes of love, courage, and the enduring power of the human spirit. His impact on the world of animation is immeasurable, solidifying his place as one of the most influential and revered figures in cinematic history.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron

Self

2024

A documentary that chronicles the making of The Boy and the Heron, filmed with exclusive access to Studio Ghibli across an astonishing seven years.

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

Self

2013

Follows the behind-the-scenes work of Studio Ghibli, focusing on the notable figures Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki.

Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature

Self (stock footage)

2025

A documentary that focuses on Hayao Miyazaki’s deep connection to nature and the environmental themes expressed through his films.

Production

Spirited Away

Writer

2001

A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Thanks

2015

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Howl's Moving Castle

Director

2004

Sophie, a young milliner, is turned into an elderly woman by a witch who enters her shop and curses her. She encounters a wizard named Howl and gets caught up in his resistance to fighting for the king.

My Neighbor Totoro

Director

1988

Two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest. When the youngest runs away from home, the older sister seeks help from the spirits to find her.

Princess Mononoke

Writer

1997

Ashitaka, a prince of the disappearing Emishi people, is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. Along the way, he encounters San, a young human woman fighting to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, who is trying to destroy it. Ashitaka must find a way to bring balance to this conflict.

The Boy and the Heron

Director

2023

While the Second World War rages, the teenage Mahito, haunted by his mother's tragic death, is relocated from Tokyo to the serene rural home of his new stepmother Natsuko, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to the boy's mother. As he tries to adjust, this strange new world grows even stranger following the appearance of a persistent gray heron, who perplexes and bedevils Mahito, dubbing him the "long-awaited one."

Toy Story 3

Thanks

2010

Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy's toys haven't been played with in years. With Andy about to go to college, the gang find themselves accidentally left at a nefarious day care center. The toys must band together to escape and return home to Andy.

Kiki's Delivery Service

Director

1989

A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.

Ponyo

Writer

2008

When Sosuke, a young boy who lives on a clifftop overlooking the sea, rescues a stranded goldfish named Ponyo, he discovers more than he bargained for. Ponyo is a curious, energetic young creature who yearns to be human, but even as she causes chaos around the house, her father, a powerful sorcerer, schemes to return Ponyo to the sea.

Castle in the Sky

Writer

1986

A young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle.

Whisper of the Heart

Author

1995

Shizuku lives a simple life, dominated by her love for stories and writing. One day she notices that all the library books she has have been previously checked out by the same person: 'Seiji Amasawa'.

The Secret World of Arrietty

Executive Producer

2010

14-year-old Arrietty and the rest of the Clock family live in peaceful anonymity as they make their own home from items "borrowed" from the house's human inhabitants. However, life changes for the Clocks when a human boy discovers Arrietty.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Comic Book

1984

After a global war, the seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind remains one of the last strongholds on Earth untouched by a poisonous jungle and the powerful insects that guard it. Led by the courageous Princess Nausicaä, the people of the Valley engage in an epic struggle to restore the bond between humanity and Earth.

The Wind Rises

Comic Book

2013

A lifelong love of flight inspires Japanese aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi, whose storied career includes the creation of the A-6M World War II fighter plane.

The Cat Returns

Production Coordinator

2002

Young Haru rescues a cat from being run over, but soon learns it's no ordinary feline; it happens to be the Prince of the Cats.

Porco Rosso

Comic Book

1992

In Italy in the 1930s, sky pirates in biplanes terrorize wealthy cruise ships as they sail the Adriatic Sea. The only pilot brave enough to stop the scourge is the mysterious Porco Rosso, a former World War I flying ace who was somehow turned into a pig during the war. As he prepares to battle the pirate crew's American ace, Porco Rosso enlists the help of spunky girl mechanic Fio Piccolo and his longtime friend Madame Gina.

Pom Poko

Executive Producer

1994

The Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans in hilarious circumstances.

From Up on Poppy Hill

Screenplay

2011

Yokohama, 1963. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the 1964 Olympics—and the mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi and Shun—but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.

Only Yesterday

Executive Producer

1991

In lyrical switches between the present and the past, Taeko contemplates the arc of her life, and wonders if she has been true to the dreams of her childhood self.

Tales from Earthsea

Original Story

2006

Something bizarre has come over the land. The kingdom is deteriorating. People are beginning to act strange... What's even more strange is that people are beginning to see dragons, which shouldn't enter the world of humans. Due to all these bizarre events, Ged, a wandering wizard, is investigating the cause. During his journey, he meets Prince Arren, a young distraught teenage boy. While Arren may look like a shy young teen, he has a severe dark side, which grants him strength, hatred, ruthlessness and has no mercy, especially when it comes to protecting Teru. For the witch Kumo this is a perfect opportunity. She can use the boy's "fears" against the very one who would help him, Ged.

Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro

Storyboard Artist

1979

After a successful robbery leaves famed thief Lupin the Third and his partner Jigen with nothing but a large amount of expertly crafted counterfeit bills, he decides to track down the forgers responsible—and steal any other treasures he may find in the Castle of Cagliostro, including the 'damsel in distress' he finds imprisoned there.

Mary and The Witch's Flower

Thanks

2017

Mary Smith, a young girl who lives with her great-aunt in the countryside, follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest where she finds a strange flower and an old broom, none of which is as ordinary as it seems.

Panda! Go Panda!

Screenplay

1972

The plot follows Mimiko, a bright little girl left alone when her grandmother leaves on a trip. Making a few stops at some local stores, Mimiko comes home to her house in a bamboo grove and finds a baby panda named Panny sleeping on the back doorstep. She quickly makes friends with the little panda, and invites him in for a drink. His father, PapaPanda, soon comes to visit, and they decide to become a family after PapaPanda offers to.