Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese animator/writer/director who is of legendary status. Although he still does not enjoy mainstream success in his country of origin, Miyazaki's brilliant animated works are loved and cherished by all who see them. This particular entry will provide a brief biography of Miyazaki as well as a summary of his work.

About Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki was born in Tokyo on January 5, 1941. His animation career started in 1963 as an animator at the studio Toei Douga*. From the start he earned attention through his incredible ability to draw, and his seemingly endless proposals of movie ideas.

In 1971, he moved to A Pro, then to Nippon Animation in 1973, where he was heavily involved in the World Masterpiece Theater TV animation series for the next five years.

In 1978, he directed his first TV series, Conan, The Boy in Future, then moved to Tokyo Movie Shinsha in 1979 to direct his first movie, the classic Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. In 1984 he premiered Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind*, based on the manga of the same title he had started two years before. The success of the movie allowed him to start the animation studio, Studio Ghibli*, where Miyazaki has since written, directed, produced and animated countless films-all of which enjoyed critical and box office success. Princess Mononoke received the Japan Academy Award for Best Film and was the highest-grossing (about US$150 million) domestic film in Japan's history until it was taken over by another Miyazaki work, Spirited Away*.

Miyazaki also works in the manga field. His most successful work was Nausicaä, an epic tale he worked on intermittently from 1982 to 1994 while he was busy making animated films. His manga Hikoutei Jidai was later turned into his 1992 film Porco Rosso*. Most of his movies are also available in manga format, allowing the fan to take their favorite films to be easily transported with them.

Hayao Miyazaki's Works

Film and Television

• Lupin III TV - 1971 and 1980 (TV)
• World Masterpiece Theater TV - 1973 (TV)
• Conan, The Boy in Future - 1978 (TV)
• Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro - 1979
• Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind - 1984
• Laputa: The Castle in the Sky* - 1986
• My Neighbor Totoro - 1988
• Kiki's Delivery Service* - 1989
• Porco Rosso - 1992
• Sora Iro no Tane - 1992 (TV SPOT)
• Nandarou - 1992 (TV SPOT)
• On Your Mark* - 1995
• Princess Mononoke - 1997
• Spirited Away - 2001
• Howl's Moving Castle* - 2004

Enjoying Miyazaki-In Your Own Language

In 1996 the Disney-Tokuma Deal agreement was made between the Walt Disney Corporation and Tokuma Publishing. As a result of this agreement, Disney was granted:

• The worldwide (including Japan, but excluding the rest of Asia) home video distribution rights to certain Studio Ghibli works*
• The worldwide (excluding Asia) theatrical distribution rights to the film Princess Mononoke.
• The worldwide distribution rights to several live action movies produced by Tokuma Publishing, such as "Opium Wars" and "Gamera 2."

Not included in the original agreement:

• Disney's worldwide film and video distribution rights do not include Asia.
• Disney's worldwide video distribution rights do include Japan, as an exception to the above.
• DVD rights were not included in the deal.
• "Grave of the Fireflies"* is not included in the deal because Tokuma Publishing does not hold the rights to it. It was produced by a company called Shinchosha. English-subbed and dubbed "Grave" is currently available from Central Park Media.
• "I Can Hear the Sea/Ocean Waves"* was not included either, probably because it was a film made specifically for television.

Changes from original agreement:

• DVD rights are now included.
• "I Can Hear the Sea/Ocean Waves" - released on DVD by BVHE Japan.
• Home video distribution in Taiwan through BVHE Taiwan.

Striking a Chord - Miyazaki and Joe Hisaishi

The music of Miyazaki's have a very unique and whimsical feel that add to the senses of fun, drama, and love in his movies. This is no coincidence. The majority of the music in Hayao Miyazaki's films is composed by Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi.

In 1993 he created the Image Album for Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind. Although the soundtrack was to be produced by a famous composer, Isao Takahata*, Miyazaki was so impressed with the Image Album that he often played it during the movie production, and strongly recommended that Hisaishi should do the soundtrack as well.

Hisaishi composed the music for many Miyazaki films, including Laputa, Kiki, Porco Rosso, Mononoke Hime, Spirited Away, and Howl's Moving Castle.

"Hisaishi Joe" (family name first) came from "Quincy Jones". The kanji for "Hisaishi" could be read as "Kuishi", which is close to the Japanese pronunciation of "Quincy", and "Joe" of course came from "Jones". He chose the name himself when he was in need of a stage name.

Celebrities and Miyazaki

Over the years, the English dubbing of Miyazaki's films have attracted a few stars.

The most noteable of these include Mark Hamill* and Andy Dick in Castle in the Sky, Daveigh Chase* Lauren Holly and John Ratzenberger in Spirited Away, and most recently, Christian Bale*, Emily Mortimer and Billy Crystal in Howl's Moving Castle.

The Future of Miyazaki

Miyazaki has said that he is leaving Ghibli to make way for young people. However, he also stated that he "may assist in some capacity in the future," such as producing and writing scripts.

Miyazaki formally "quit" Ghibli on January 14th, 1998. He built a new studio, "Butaya" (Pig House), near Studio Ghibli as his "retirement place." On January 16th, 1999, Miyazaki "formally returned" to Studio Ghibli as Head of Office.

In 2001, Miyazaki completed Spirited Away. At a press conference held after the completion of the film, Miyazaki stated that it will be the last feature-length film he'll direct.

Thankfully, he back peddled on this statement too. Miyazaki's took over the director's role Howl's Moving Castle after the original director* abruptly left the project.

No matter what happens in the future of Miyazaki's filmmaking career, it seems that people will be enjoying his classic works for many years to come.