Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary Japanese animator and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has an almost mythical status among fans of animated cinema. Known for his deeply emotional stories, breathtaking art, and commitment to hand-drawn animation, Miyazaki’s works are often very different from the flashier, digital-heavy productions of many Western studios. His masterpieces, fromMy Neighbor TotorotoSpirited Away,have a timeless aspect to them that draws views into their fantastical worlds rooted in deeply human truths.
Despite his international acclaim, Miyazaki’s relationship with Western animation, especiallyDisney, has always been intriguing. While he respects the technical brilliance of American animation,his early reaction to Disney films as a child was surprisingly dismissive. In a 2001 interview, Miyazaki revealed that Disney’s movies “amused” him, but they failed to move him emotionally. This initial impression, paired with his later, more in-depth critiques, shows how Miyazaki compares his work against the Western animation giants.
When Disney Fell Short for Young Miyazaki
The Lack of Depth in Disney’s Golden Age Turned Miyazaki Off
Young Miyazaki’s exposure to Disney films shaped his early views on storytelling in animation. Disney’s classics, with their catchy songs, princesses, and happy endings, entertained him butleft him yearning for deeper emotional impact. He admitted in a 2001 interview that while the films were amusing, they failed to evoke any real or deep feelings. For a creative mind like Miyazaki’s, who was already drawn to complex storytelling, this lack of emotional depth was a huge problem.
“You go mad and die”: Hayao Miyazaki Confirms The Heartbreaking Toll of Creating the Boy and the Heron
Studio Ghibli’s Miyazaki spent all of his creative energy making The Boy and the Heron the masterpiece that it is.
This sentiment might explain whyhis films later put an emphasis on including emotion and moral ambiguity. Unlike Disney’s clear-cut heroes and villains,Miyazaki’s characters are multidimensional. InSpirited Away, for example, Chihiro’s journey is less about defeating a villain and more about growing up as a person through a tough situation. Miyazaki likely sought to create the kind of emotional connection he found missing in the films of his youth.
The contrast also highlights a cultural difference in storytelling. While Disney leaned heavily on Western fairy tales with predictable structures, Miyazaki’s stories often drew on Japanese folklore and Shinto traditions. This cultural base gave his films a unique emotional perspective that resonated with different people around the world.
Miyazaki Has a Clear Favorite Between Disney and DreamWorks
Miyazaki’s Take On Western Animation’s Evolution
Miyazaki’s later reflections on Disney, as well as DreamWorks, reveal even more of the feelings he has towards Western animation’s strengths and limitations. In a 2004 interview, he praised early Disney works likeSnow White and the Seven Dwarfsfor their craftsmanship but noted how animation evolved over time.He described Disney as classical ballet and DreamWorks as modern pop music, a sharp and honestly accurate metaphor that shows the stylistic and thematic differences between the two.
DreamWorks’ “anti-traditional” approach, marked by edgy humor and a reliance on 3D animation, contrasted sharply with Disney’s classicism. Miyazaki acknowledged the appeal of DreamWorks’ modern sensibilities but suggestedthey lacked the timeless quality of Disney’s earlier films. The comparison shows more about Miyazaki’s perspective on art and animation and what it should be. He values tradition, timelessness, and emotional storytelling over trend-chasing.
For Miyazaki, the shift in Western animation’s focus, from the meticulous and beautiful artistry of hand-drawn works to the sleek efficiency of computer-generated imagery, was a big cultural difference. He viewed animation as an art form that is meant to inspire and move audiences, a perspective that is not shared with the commercialized nature of Hollywood Studios. This belief fueledhis commitment to hand-drawn animation, even as the anime industry moved increasingly toward 3D techniques.
The Ghibli Way of Timeless Stories and Artistic Integrity
How Miyazaki’s Philosophy Shaped Studio Ghibli
Miyazaki’s critique of Western animation directly influencedthe ethos and storytelling methods of Studio Ghibli. His disdain for overly simplistic or trend-driven storytelling inspired him to create films that were both visually stunning and emotionally deep and resonant. This approach is obvious through the complex stories of films likePrincess Mononoke,which explores environmental warfare and harm, andHowl’s Moving Castle,which tackles themes of war, aging, and self-acceptance.
Unlike Disney, which often focuses on external conflicts and clear resolutions,Miyazaki’s films emphasize internal struggles and personal growth. Characters like Chihiro, Sophie, and Ashitaka face challenges that transform their understanding of themselves and the world around them. This focus on inner struggles and emotions gives Ghibli films their lasting appeal.
Miyazaki’s philosophy also extended to the visual aspects of his work. While Western studios embraced CGI, Ghibli remained committed to hand-drawn animation, believing it captured a warmth and humanity that digital techniques could not replicate. This dedication to hand-drawn anime is one of the reasons Miyazaki admired parts of the early Disney films, even as he diverged from their typical storytelling conventions.
Ghibli’s success shows the power of staying true to one’s artistic vision. By prioritizing emotional storytelling and traditional animation, Miyazaki created an entire studio full of works that appeal to people of many different cultures and continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
Why Studio Ghibli’s Emotional Depth Will Last
Miyazaki’s Vision Is a Reminder of Animation’s True Potential
Hayao Miyazaki’s relationship with Western animation is a fascinating study in contrasts. While he respected the artistry of early Disney films, he critiqued their lack of emotional depth and the industry’s increasing reliance on CGI and formulaic storytelling. His analysis of Disney as classical ballet and DreamWorks as modern pop music reveals his deep understanding of animation as both an art form and a cultural product.
Hayao Miyazaki’s 10 Most Iconic (and Sometimes Chaotic) Quotes
While some may say that the artist resembles their art, Miyazaki proves to be a bit of a conundrum.
Ultimately, Miyazaki’s critiques were not just about what he disliked in Western animation, they were aboutwhat he believed animation should and could be. By creating films that were visually appealing, deeply emotional, and culturally grounded, Miyazaki set a high standard for animated storytelling. His works are a reminder that animation is not just entertainment, but a powerful tool that can show people about the human experience.
Miyazaki’s “brutal” first impression of Disney might seem harsh, but it shows thehigh standards he holds for himself and anime in general. In a world increasingly dominated by fast-paced, technology-driven productions, Studio Ghibli’s committment to tradition and emotional storytelling stands out as an amazing example of artistic integrity. For fans of animation,Miyazaki’slegacy is a reminder of the power of stories that move the heart and inspire the mind.
Source:nausicaa.net
Hayao Miyazaki
Discover the latest news and filmography for Hayao Miyazaki, known for Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
