Hayao Miyazaki is a legend in the world of animation. Director,
manga artist, producer, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki is one of the most beloved and
well-known Japanese artists of all time — and for good reason. When you watch a Miyazaki film,
it’s easy to see the care and attention that goes into every single frame.
But why is his style so distinguishable, even among thousands of other great anime films?
The incredible aesthetics and unique sense of wonder that characterize each film’s universe
certainly contribute to Miyazaki’s signature style, but there is also
something more. His visionary films all have recurring themes,
symbols, and unique elements from Miyazaki’s own life and imagination.
For example, have you ever noticed that Miyazaki’s protagonists are often strong,
female characters? And what about the presence of natural, uncontaminated, landscapes?
is it an aesthetic choice, or does it tell us something about the director’s worldview?
And among the multitude of bizarre creatures and characters, have you ever wondered if
there are any real villains? These are just a few of the questions Miyazaki's films raise!
So, in today’s video, we will try to go beyond mere technique to grasp the philosophy
and underlying vision of one of Japan’s greatest directors — Hayao Miyazaki. So, let’s get started!
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Born in 1941, Hayao Miyazaki started work as an animator in 1963, when he was just
22 years old. He quickly became a central figure in the growing film industry of Japan
and is still praised to this day for his insightful stories and beautiful imagery.
From a technical standpoint, Miyazaki is a strong advocate of hand-drawn art;
historically, nearly all of his films have been drawn by hand. Only recently did the
director introduce small segments of CGI, but his films still retain the same natural creativity
that they have for decades. Looking Beyond Good and Evil
In Miyazaki’s narratives, there is never a clear dichotomy between good and evil.
Instead, the characters are dynamic and free.
Even the antagonists are not completely evil, so you won’t find any cookie-cutter Disney
endings in which the good guys triumph over the bad guys in a Miyazaki film.
In fact, villains are often absent or shown to have redeeming qualities.
For example, in Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle, Miyazaki teaches us
to go beyond superficial appearances and try to understand human beings — with all
of their innate complexities. The Importance of Environmentalism
One of the most obvious recurring themes in Miyazaki’s films is an intense focus on the
natural world and all of its beauty. Moreover, Miyazaki's films often emphasize environmentalism
and Earth's fragility in an attempt to develop ecological awareness among his viewers.
The Japanese director has often expressed his concerns regarding the excessive urbanization
and modernization of Japan. This is why Nausicaa’s character in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
struggles to find something clean in a post-apocalyptic landscape,
while the young Chihiro in Spirited Away must fight against the "stink spirit"
of the polluted river. Respect for nature plays an important role in My Neighbor Totoro and
Princess Mononoke as well. A Passion for Flying
Another recurring theme that Miyazaki’s most attentive fans have probably noticed is his love
of flight and flying machines. The director's father was the co-owner of an aircraft parts
factory, and this almost certainly contributed to his love of aeronautics.
The protagonist of Porco Rosso is, for example, a curious aviator, while the protagonists in Kiki's
Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle also experiment with flight.
For Miyazaki, flight is the ultimate expression of freedom — a unique way for humans to liberate
themselves from the natural bounds of gravity. Mixing Fantasy and Japanese Mythology
Miyazaki is known for his bizarre characters, but many viewers may not realize that they
are frequently inspired by Japanese folklore, mythology, and religious tradition. Although
the director is not a strict disciple of Shinto, influences from the Japanese religion can be seen
throughout his cinematic universe — particularly in the form of spirits. The most striking example
comes from his Magnum Opus, Spirited Away, in which an entire city is inhabited by otherwordly
spirits who frequent the local bathhouse to be cleansed. It is a concept that is deeply
rooted in Shinto culture: everything in the natural world has its own spirit,
and all of these spirits seek purification. Even some of the main characters and creatures from his
films are taken from Japanese folklore, including Totoro, a giant furry creature of the woods,
Yubaba, Ghibli's iteration of Yama-Uba, a female entity from Japanese folklore, as well as the
sacred water dragon, Haku, from Spirited Away. Strong, Brave Heroines
Finally, how can you not fall in love with the heroines of Miyazaki's films?
Princess Mononoke, Nausicaä, Chihiro, Kiki, and Sophie are all independent young women who do
not adhere to traditional gender roles. Miyazaki often expresses his feminist sentiments through
his heroines and even some of the tertiary women in his films. For example, strong women repair
the plane in Porco Rosso and work in a hot furnace in Princess Mononoke. In this way,
Miyazaki challenges the stereotypes perpetuated by the film industry — and society at large.
As you can see, Miyazaki's worlds can be explored and analyzed in so many different
ways! They stimulate our natural sense of wonder and curiosity, while also subtly critiquing
a society threatened by overconsumption and techno-industrialism. Despite their
distinctly Japanese visual style and themes, all of Miyazaki’s films are universal pieces of art
that help break down stereotypes, arouse ecological consciousness,
and reimagine the relationship between the natural and spiritual world.
So what do you think about the worlds that Miyazaki has created?
Are there any particular films or characters that speak to you on a personal level?
If so, be sure to share your thoughts in the comments!