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Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary Oscar-winning Japanese animator known for directing Studio Ghibli movies such as Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service, is retiring. Studio Ghibli president Koji Hoshino made the announcement at the Venice Film Festival, where Miyazaki, 72, was not in attendance. Hoshino gave no details except to say that a press conference will be held in Tokyo later this week where Miyazaki himself will speak about the decision. Miyazaki's latest — and apparently final — film is currently playing in Japanese theaters, and is in competition at Venice. Kaze Tachinu ("The Wind Rises") is a fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the Mitsubishi Zero aircraft used in World War II. Miyazaki directed eleven feature-length films in total, and also acted as producer and writer on other Ghibli movies such as Whisper of the Heart and Arrietty. http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/1/4684268/studio-ghibli-says-hayao-miyazaki-is-retiring |
Alright, this makes me remarkably sad... Hayao Miyazaki's and Studio Ghibli's films are easily among my favorite movies and cinematic expreiences that I have ever watched. I can easily say, that words cannot express how much his films mean to me, they represent both my immense love for cinema, and animation, all wrapped up into a wide array of masterpieces. So, is anyone else sad to see him leaving the industry?
