Hayao Miyazaki

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One of the most widely-recognized anime directors in Japan and probably the most well-known outside of Japan, Hayao Miyazaki is known for his whimsical films, created by the animation studio he co-founded, Studio Ghibli.

Hayao Miyazaki started his career as an animator at Toei, where he met long-time collaborator Isao Takahata. The two jumped from Toei to A-Pro, then to Nippon Animation, where the two worked for some time on World Masterpiece Theater, a collection of anime adaptations for kids based on literature from around the world (like Heidi of the Swiss Alps).

Miyazaki got his first shot at directing with the TV series Future Boy Conan, and then directed his first movie with Tokyo Movie Shinsha. That film was Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, considered by most to be the best of the Lupin III franchise. In 1984 he created the film version of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, and the success of the film led to the founding of Studio Ghibli with Takahata, where the two have worked together on any number of projects.

It wasn't until Princess Mononoke received a large-scale theatrical release in the U.S. that Miyazaki earned significant recognition in the west, but since then most of his films have earned some time on movie screens in America.

Miyazaki's son Goro has attempted to follow in his father's footsteps, eventually being handed the task of directing an adaptation of Ursula K. LeGuin's Tales of Earthsea. This led to a rift between father and son, as Hayao Miyazaki didn't feel that his son had the experience necessary to direct the film. Why Miyazaki the elder didn't direct it himself-- as LeGuin had been promised --isn't entirely clear. However, the project ended up earning rancid reviews from critics-- and from LeGuin --though Hayao Miyazaki is said to have sent a note to his son saying that it was at least heartfelt in its attempt. The status of Hayao and Goro's relationship is not entirely clear.

Currently, Hayao Miyazaki has just released the film Gake no Ue no Ponyo (official English title: Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea), a loose adaptation of The Little Mermaid in which a goldfish princess works with a human boy so that she can become human herself. The film was also influenced by the traditional Japanese tale Urashima Tarou, in which a fisherman rescues a turtle and earns himself a trip to the underwater palace of the Dragon King. The main human character is said to be based on Miyazaki's son Goro. The film is scheduled for a July 19, 2008 release in Japan. A US release has been confirmed but not scheduled.
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General Information Edit
Full Name: Hayao Miyazaki
Japanese Name: 宮崎 駿
Gender: Male
Birthday: Jan. 5, 1941
Death: n/a
1st manga book:
1st anime episode:
1st anime movie: Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro
Hometown: Tokyo
Country: Japan
Website: http://www.ghibli.jp/
Email Address: None
Aliases Teruki Tsutomu
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