Hayao Miyazaki

After his comments sparked fears that Studio Ghibli was done for, Toshio Suzuki clarified on NHK's Asa Ichi that the company isn't shutting down at all:

We're changing the way we make (animation). We wanted to make a dream company. We thought we would make what suited us and not make what didn't suit us. We were able to realize (that dream) to some extent and we're very happy about that. But now we're at a point where we've got to think about what we'll do next.

He didn't go into detail about what that means, but at least we know they aren't packing up shop. Suzuki also revealed that Miyazaki may come out of retirement again, but so far only to make a short film to be featured at the Ghibli Museum.

Yes, it seems the living legend, Hayao Miyazaki has one more ride in him just yet; the genius who sat at the very helm of films like 1984’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, 1988’s My Neighbor Totoro, 1997’s Princess Mononoke, and 2001’s Spirited Away, which claimed an Academy Award for best Animated Feature. 



The film in question, is Kemushi no Boro, which is set to be the tale of a tiny caterpillar that Miyazaki didn't feel he could fit in the space of 20 minutes. Here's a peek at the concept art that's since surfaced:



This is just the kind of uplifting news so many of us needed after an abnormally tumultous 2016. He's reporting that he hopes to have the film completed in five years, so here's to hoping that time does nothing but blow by until then.

This fantastic tribute to the directorial works of Hayao Miyazaki is just astounding. It has every thing you love and remember from the last three decades of his work.

With the official blessing of Studio Ghibli, it's revealed that a major UK theatre company is working on a stage adaptation of Princess Mononoke, slated for April 2013.

Tickets sold out in a matter of hours. According to MTV Geek,

The production will be comprised of giant puppets made of recycled materials and live, original music (although Joe Hisaishi's score is nothin' to sneeze at) to tell the story of Prince Ashitaka, cursed by a demon and exiled from his home as he seeks a cure.

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Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki has a reputation for being terrible at retirement; he's tried it six times over the years, always coming back to filmmaking, but it seemed like his most recent attempt had finally stuck. Except he's working on another new film. Miyazaki revealed in a press conference, 

I have just begun work on a new anime, it's a wonderful project. I’m working with some of my usual staff, as well as some staff from the computer graphics world.

The new film is a 10 minute short telling the story of a caterpillar named Boro for the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, and will take approximately three years to complete. With any luck, Boro will be at least as cute as the velvet worm named after Miyazaki's famous character Totoro:


(Nicky Bay)

How many Miyazaki references can you spot?

See more of Nakayama Chieko's amazing nail art on Tokyo Otaku Mode!

Set your phasers to crossover!

Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki has announced plans to build a 2.5 acre nature park for children in Japan. The park, "The Forest Where the Wind Returns," will create a space for visitors to experience nature with all five senses. 

Miyazaki is personally funding the $2.5 million project, which will be built using local resources and labor. "The Forest Where the Wind Returns" is expected to open in 2018. With any luck, it'll be filled with forest spirits to visit.

Miyazaki's announcement was made at a news conference at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday by Koju Hoshino, president of Miyazaki's production company, Studio Ghibli. Despite retiring sporadically since 1988's Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki turned 72 this year and many believe this will be the end of his movie making career.

His latest project, The Wind Rises, has been playing in Japanese theaters since late July, will be his last feature film.