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Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away continues to attract audiences from all over the world, not only for its wonderful visuals and intriguing characters but also for its ability to incorporate complicated cultural nuances into a globally accessible plot. His masterpiece features several awe-inspiring moments, in which some scenes leave fans especially the younger fans puzzled.

Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

One such scene involves Chihiro smashing a little worm-like organism inside Haku. After that a somewhat mysterious encounter in which Kamaji tells Chihiro to “cut the line!” This specific scene may appear unclear to international audiences, and even younger Japanese viewers, however its origins may be traced back to a traditional Japanese ‘good luck charm.’

Cultural symbolism: what does “Cut the Line!” mean?

In the specific scene of Spirited Away, Chihiro expels a black, worm-like thing from Haku’s body after he consumes a healing dumpling she gives. Kamaji, while watching the incident,...

Hayao Miyazaki is the celebrated maestro of animation and has managed to capture the hearts of fans all across the world. Not just that, he has delivered some of the most unforgettable films in cinematic history.

Mahito in a still from the movie ‘The Boy and the Heron’ | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Of all the Japanese animated movies, Hayao Miyazaki’s film Spirited Away was the first to receive an Oscar. It was a much-deserved win for Studio Ghibli, which set a precedent for the Japanese animation industry as well.

All of this led to hype around the making of his latest venture, The Boy and the Heron, to be a topic of extreme excitement and controversy. While the film has received widespread acclaim and even managed to get an Oscar, it also holds the unfortunate tag of being the lowest-rated Miyazaki film.

The Boy and the Heron is the lowest-rated...

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is a masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences to this day with its rich storytelling, mesmerizing animation, and deeply symbolic characters. Among the intriguing cast of characters, a name particularly stands out: Kaonashi Aka No Face, whose silent demeanor and puzzling motives have fascinated fans since the movie’s release in 2001.

No Face and Chihiro is the famous train scene of Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

While the creature’s actions in the film; ranging from gentle companionship to uncontrollable greed, have sparked endless speculation, a recent revelation from Hayao Miyazaki himself sheds new light on this mysterious figure. The director’s insight reveals that No Face represents something far more relatable and closer to home; making the character’s journey both complex and heartbreaking.

Who is No Face in Spirited Away? The puzzle that stumped fans for decades

The moment No Face arrives in Spirited Away,...

The Spirited Away stage play, based on the 2001 fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli, is heading to Shanghai, China for the summer season of 2025. The production will run from July 7 to August 3, 2025 at the Shanghai Culture Square venue. The main cast for the Shanghai production has not yet been revealed. Related: Spirited Away Stage Play Shows Off New Stars in Beautiful Posters Spirited Away began production as a stage play in March 2022 at the Imperial Theater venue in Tokyo, Japan with Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi double-cast as Chihiro, the protagonist. Actors Rina Kawaei and Momoko Fukuchi joined the cast of the play as Chihiro in 2024. The play has also been staged at the London Colosseum venue in London, England, where it ran from April – August, 2024. Gkids releases a filmed version of the stage play under the title Spirited Away: Live On...

Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki are names that resound across the entire world as hallmarks of quality creation and excellent direction. But it was not always the case, as even these legendary names had struggled to penetrate into the Western market a few decades back.

Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki. [Credit: Studio Ghibli]

When Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke premiered in the United States in 1999, it marked a pivotal moment for Studio Ghibli and was going to be their ticket to fame and recognition in the international market. This was the studio’s first major uncut release in the country since there was the infamous heavy editing of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Determined to protect the film’s artistic integrity and deliver only the best content and entertainment to the audience, Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki had famously sent Miramax’s Harvey Weinstein a samurai sword with the note, “no cuts.

Hayao Miyazaki, the genius behind Studio Ghibli, has created some of the most influential and beloved animated films in history, including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and The Boy and the Heron. Environmentalism, social justice, feminism, and other issues happening in real life are deep-set themes in most of his acclaimed work.

Hayao Miyazaki | Image by 文部科学省ホームページ, licensed under Cc By-sa 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While other directors of his caliber will measure success with the likes of the Oscars, Miyazaki’s vision is greater than that. Having been at the helm of Studio Ghibli as a company face, he has filled so many hats with his fantastic career, such as director, writer, producer, and animation director for studio productions.

Miyazaki, a self-proclaimed cynic, has many times demonstrated an extreme aversion to most practices related to the anime industry. The focus of this practice has immensely complemented the golden rule provided...

Hayao Miyazaki is often regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time in the field of animation, and his works have expanded beyond cultural and generational boundaries to become an integral part of the global cinematic industry. Among his most beloved works are Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, both of which stand as monumental achievements in the world of animation.

Prince Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Spirited Away has achieved remarkable success worldwide; becoming the first and still only non-English language animated film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. However, it is often Princess Mononoke that remains overlooked, despite being arguably Miyazaki’s finest and most complex creation.

Princess Mononoke: A darker and more mature masterpiece

Princess Mononoke is often considered the more complex, mature, and thematically ambitious than Spirited Away. Released in 1997, it was a departure from the more fantastical and...

Director George Miller is best known for the Mad Max series of films, but his singular Oscar win actually came from a different franchise altogether, Happy Feet. With Mel Gibson in the titular role, the original Mad Max debuted in 1979 to critical acclaim and a successful box office run. As a result, Miller, who also served as co-writer, joined Gibson in achieving mainstream recognition. This led to several more Mad Max movies being released across the years.

The most recent of those was Mad Max: Fury Road, which came thirty years after the Tina Turner-starring third outing, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. The movie saw Tom Hardy take over the titular role from Gibson. And he was joined by the likes of Charlize Theron as Furiosa, a character that would later receive her own prequel. Despite Mad Max: Fury Road's long production turnaround, it received some of the best...

Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001-released movie, Spirited Away has been constantly enchanting people worldwide to this day. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003, this Studio Ghibli masterpiece transcends age and culture; weaving a tale that resonates with both children and adults. However, aside from its empowering themes, an insight offered by Miyazaki cast the movie’s conclusion in a more melancholic light.

Spirited Away’s ending also represents the bittersweet message of moving on | Credit: Studio Ghibli

According to the legendary filmmaker, Spirited Away is not just a tale of victory but also of loss and the inevitable passage of time. This reflection unveils a bittersweet truth about Chihiro’s journey; one that forever changes how fans perceive her final moments.

Hayao Miyazaki’s perspective on Spirited Away‘s ending Chihiro and Kaonashi in train | Credit: Studio Ghibli

In an interview featured on page 224 of Turning Point...

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner’s relationship took the world by storm, and while many fans surprisingly never saw this coming, the couple seemed very in love with each other. Perhaps it’s because the actor has had several potential lovers in the past with whom he shared effortless chemistry, whether they were on screen or not.

Timothée Chalamet / Credits: MTV

Not many know about this 2022 romantic horror film from renowned Italian director Luca Guadagnino, but Chalamet starred alongside Taylor Russell as young cannibals in Bones and All. The pair had previously displayed affectionate friendship on social media that many speculated they were an item.

Fans believed Timothée Chalamet was so ‘down bad’ for Taylor Russell

Working with Taylor Russell on the set of Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All was very easy for Timothée Chalamet in the sense that their chemistry just unfolded naturally. He told Buzzfeed in an...

Hayao Miyazaki’s name is associated with endless creativity, beauty, and the human condition. As a co-founder of Studio Ghibli, he has transformed the world of animation by creating masterpieces that transcend countries and generations. However, while many filmmakers similar to his caliber assess their success through awards such as the Oscars, Miyazaki’s aspirations extend far beyond prizes.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning work Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Instead, the legendary animator revealed a deeply personal and existential goal: to craft films that touch the “soul level” of children. But what does this “soul level” actually mean? Let’s look at the idea behind his storytelling, the difficulties he sees in the world, and how his films aim to give future generations hope and meaning.

Hayao Miyazaki’s true legacy: A vision beyond awards

In an introspective interview with Xan Brooks via The Guardian in 2005, the iconic filmmaker, Hayao...

Hayao Miyazaki is a celebrated name in the Japanese film industry. To say he is popular would be an understatement, considering his massive impact on artists. His views alone have stirred the pot frequently.

From technology to AI, the Ghibli animator has opened up about his qualms. One of the most notable controversies is his stance on anime and action shows. But there is a director so esteemed that he’d put the Ghibli animator to shame with his stance.

Chihiro in a still from Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Among the likes of Akira Kurosawa, Takeshi Kitano holds a ground-breaking record. But that is not all considering his disdain for the Ghibli Director and anime on the whole.

Interestingly, his beliefs and ideas are resounding about the reality of the Japanese film industry. The auteur, artist, and creators are treated differently as the Director points out.

Legendary Japanese Director...

Modern advancements in writing and technology have greatly contributed to anime’s rise as a mainstream medium. While the current anime landscape has significantly boosted its popularity, older works still hold their unique charm.

Many iconic anime, including Code Geass, Ghost Stories, Cowboy Bebop, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Samurai Champloo, and many more, are timeless classics. While studios achieved remarkable success with original anime in the 2000s and 2010s, they seem to struggle to capture the same magic with today’s original releases.

Luffy from One Piece, the face of Shonen Jump. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Not every older anime has aged well, but many classics remain worth watching, whether for their excellent writing or surprisingly enduring animation. One such gem is Ghost Stories, a classic that gained immense popularity, transcending borders with its hilarious English dub, which preserved its comedic essence despite the language barrier.

How the Ghost Stories English Dub turned...

For years, Hayao Miyazaki has been revered as one of the esteemed animators and auteurs of the Japanese film industry. His works have shaped and revolutionized the animation industry in most aspects.

Be it his methods or his opinions, Miyazaki isn’t the one to shy away from making bold statements. This is reflected in most of his movies, including a controversial film that made waves and stirred the pot consequently.

Jiro and Nahoko in The Wind Rises | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Even after a decade, the Ghibli film stands controversial in its portrayal of war and militarisation. And while the director had most fans throwing brickbats at him, there were exceptions to this as well.

In an interview, Miyazaki expressed his heartfelt gratitude toward Americans for their tolerant stance regarding the film. This is valid considering the controversy and contention surrounding it. In retrospect, it also highlights the political undertones...

For a long time, Western audiences have largely viewed animation, particularly Japanese anime, as a medium restricted to children or as something “vulgar”. However, in 2001, Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece Spirited Away introduced a seismic shift in the global perception of anime.

This Studio Ghibli movie did something unthinkable: it not only captivated audiences worldwide but also became the first anime film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003.

The famous train scene of Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Spirited Away wasn’t just a movie; it was a statement that elevated anime from a niche subculture to global acclaim. And, behind the film’s success lies a complex history of challenges, cultural perceptions, and a director who refused to compromise his artistic integrity.

Spirited Away: The theme that resonated globally

For years, animation in the West was often dismissed as childish entertainment or a popular comedy medium.

Studio Ghibli is often idolized as the best anime studio in Japan. Ghibli fans hero-worship Hayao Miyazaki and cannot tolerate any kind of criticism regarding the popular director. However, very few of them know the reality of Studio Ghibli.

Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Ghibli might be better than the average anime studio in Japan and has continued to wow audiences with its quality, animation, and capturing storylines. But what lies underneath the revered name, is a cruel work environment, take it from an ex-Ghibli staff and an industry veteran, Hirokatsu Kihara.

Those who work at Ghibli leave soon, never to return Ghibli’s toxic work culture is exposed by ex-staff member who worked on Kiki’s Deliver Service | Credits: Studio Ghibli

In an interview with Dazed, Hirokatsu Kihara expressed some of his spicy opinions regarding Studio Ghibli. Kihara was the production coordinator of Nausicaä of the...

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is often celebrated as a masterpiece of animated storytelling, capturing the imagination of viewers with its enchanting visuals and timeless narrative. On the surface, the story appears to have a pleasant conclusion: Chihiro escapes the surreal world of spirits; reclaiming her human form and leaving behind the magical bathhouse with her parents who turned into pigs.

Chihiro had one of the biggest transformation in Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

However, Hayao Miyazaki himself once revealed a strikingly different interpretation of the ending of the story of Spirited Away. His perspective challenged the widely held notion of a happy ending, emphasizing the darker undertones of the film and its reflection on modern Japan. So, does Spirited Away not have a happy ending? Let’s dive into the details!

Chihiro: An unlikely heroine in a cynical world

Released in 2001, Spirited Away follows the journey of Chihiro...

Chris Sanders is no stranger to the Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination. Every animated feature he has directed — “Lilo & Stitch,” “How to Train Your Dragon” and “The Croods” —has been nominated. But none, so far, have won. Some of this is understandable (“Lilo & Stitch” lost to Hayao Miyazaki’s undisputed masterpiece “Spirited Away”) but it still seems odd that one of the kings of modern animation is still empty-handed.

That could change with his latest marvel, “The Wild Robot.” Based on the beloved book by Peter Brown, “The Wild Robot” follows Rozzum unit 7134 (voiced with delicacy and humor by Lupita Nyong’o), a high-tech service robot who washes ashore on a deserted island populated only by animals. That’s where she accidentally destroys the nest of a gosling (voice by Kit Connor), whom she later raises as her son. The film is another wild stylistic swing from DreamWorks Animation, pushing...

Studio Ghibli is known for its breathtaking visuals, timeless stories, and its profound ability to capture the imagination of audiences worldwide. One of the primary flagbearers of this unparalleled success is Hayao Miyazaki; the filmmaker whose works like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke have secured his legacy as one of the greatest pioneers in the history of animation.

Hayao Miyazaki’s most recent film The Boy and the Heron | Credit: Studio Ghibli

However, despite his towering achievements, there’s an untold side to Hayao Miyazaki’s creative journey. Beneath the whimsical tales of magic and nature lies a bunch of unmade projects, that Miyazaki has candidly described as too “serious” and “not entertaining”. What would anime and Studio Ghibli look like today if Miyazaki had been free to create these more serious films?

The stories that Hayao Miyazaki never told

Hayao Miyazaki has always been an enigma.

From witches to warlocks, Hayao Miyazaki’s world is filled with fantasy and magic. It is imbued with surrealistic elements enmeshed with conflict and war. And it would be a gross understatement to call it a wonderland.

Amidst the beauty and chaos, the Ghibli filmmaker has set a benchmark with his use of traditional and handcrafted methods of animation. This isn’t to say he’s aversive to technology, but he has a solid reason behind it.

Kiki and Jiji in a still from Kiki’s Delivery Service | Credit: Studio Ghibli

This holds especially true for his opinions regarding CGI animation. With new-age films incorporating advanced technologies, Ghibli has stuck to its guns for the most part. It has inspired several films, including The Glassworker and so on.

But that is not all considering its influence on storytelling and filmmaking on the whole. For decades, Ghibli has inspired other studios...

Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Jan 3-5) Total gross to date Week 1. Mufasa: The Lion King (Disney) £3.3m £20.7m 3 2. Nosferatu (Universal) £3.1m £5.3m 1 3. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Paramount) £2.7m £18.7m 2 4. Moana2 (Disney) £1.8m £38.2m 6 5. We Live In Time (Studiocanal) £1.7m £2.8m 1

Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.25

Robert Eggers’ vampire horror Nosferatu scared up a £3.1m opening weekend at the UK-Ireland box office, with an impressive £5.3m start including previews; as Mufasa: The Lion King held top spot.

Holding the crown for an impressive third consecutive weekend, Mufasa: The Lion King dropped just 23% across its latest outing with £3.3m. Barry Jenkins...

The legendary filmmaker and the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki has always been a revered name in the anime industry for his deep introspective storytelling. However, there was one movie that sparked immense skepticism even from someone like Miyazaki, and that movie is none other than The Wind Rises; which was released in 2013.

Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises was different from his most works | Credit: Studio Ghibli

This animated historical drama, which was later nominated for an Academy Award, almost didn’t make it to the big screen. The Wind Rises is perhaps one of Studio Ghibli’s most divisive works, dealing with themes of war, love, and ambition through the lens of historical figures; which was drastically different from Hayao Miyazaki’s earlier works like Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro.

Hayao Miyazaki’s initial vision for The Wind Rises

In an interview via Animation World Network...

Hayao Miyazaki is known for creating strong female protagonists in his movies. From the brave and vicious heroine of Princess Mononoke, the adventurous little witch in Kiki’s Delivery Service, to the two adorable siblings in My Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli movies have always created exceptional female leads.

Chihiro with her parents in Spirited Away | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Miyazaki’s first Oscar winner, Spirited Away, is no different. However, you might find a slight difference in this movie as compared to the rest of his filmography. As opposed to others, Chihiro is just a simple girl who has been put in the spot by unseen circumstances,

Hayao Miyazaki found Chihiro to be a dull character while creating Spirited Away Hayao Miyazaki intentionally avoided making Chihiro an eye candy | Credits: Studio Ghibli

In an interview with Animage in 2001, Hayao Miyazaki pointed out some of the the biggest difficulties he faced while creating Spirited Away.

Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey Skywalker in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and Ashley Eckstein, who voices Ahsoka Tano in animation, once worked together in an unexpected place: a Studio Ghibli movie. Both Ashley Eckstein and Daisy Ridley have had massive impacts on Star Wars as a whole. Eckstein was the first person to voice Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Ridley portrayed Rey Skywalker throughout the sequel trilogy of Star Wars movies. As important as they were, however, their paths only crossed once.

Interestingly, Ridley and Eckstein have actually appeared in the same Star Wars movie together. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Rey heard the voices of several past Jedi speak to her as she had her final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine. One of The Rise of Skywalker's voice cameos was Ahsoka Tano, voiced by Ashley Eckstein. While it was the first time Rey...

The legendary director and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki is known for crafting films that resonate across age groups and cultures. His works, such as My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, and Kiki’s Delivery Service, often explore themes of growth, environmentalism, and human connection. However, with his groundbreaking movie, Spirited Away, Miyazaki set out to do something entirely unconventional: rebel against the prevailing trends in anime culture.

The transformation of her parents catalyzed Chihiro’s growth | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Released in 2001, the story of Spirited Away follows a 10-year-old girl, Chihiro’s journey of self-discovery and resilience in a fantastical world; subverting the traditional coming-of-age storylines that are often dominated by external validation or romantic undertones. This movie became monumental in anime history, which still serves as a rebellion against the genre’s norms and a display of inner strength and authenticity.

The premise of Spirited Away...

Studio Ghibli, an emblem of Japanese animated storytelling, has long been mainly associated with the name of its co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki. With films like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki has not only defined Ghibli’s aesthetic and ethos but has also left an indelible mark on global cinema.

However, with Miyazaki now in his 80s and the speculations about his retirement looming over, a question emerges: can Studio Ghibli continue to thrive in a post-Miyazaki world?

Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

The answer, as many believe, lies in finding a successor; someone who can carry the torch of Miyazaki while honoring the studio’s legacy. In this context, there is one particular person who comes to our mind first: Makoto Shinkai, who has often been hailed as “the next Miyazaki”. But given Miyazaki’s controlling nature, would he ever agree to make Shinkai his successor of Studio Ghibli?...

RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Dec 27-29)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Mufasa: The Lion King (Disney) £4.2m £12.6m 2 2. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Paramount) £4m £11.8m 1 3. Wicked (Universal) £2.7m £53m 6 4. Moana2 (Disney) £2.2m £33.8m 5 5. Better Man (Efd) £1.3m £1.6m 1

Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.25.

Disney animation Mufasa: The Lion King held off Paramount’s Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in the final UK-Ireland weekend box office of 2024.

Mufasa fell a slim 4% on its second session, taking £4.2m; the film had £12.6m by the end of Sunday, December 29, from 10 days in cinemas.

This is well down on the £36.9m of 2019’s The Lion King...

With a career spanning decades and a legacy immortalized through Studio Ghibli classics, Hayao Miyazaki has redefined storytelling in animation. While his most renowned and award-winning works are Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and The Boy and the Heron, his older works are nothing short of spectacular. Among them, the 1992 classic Porco Rosso particularly stands out for its unique blend of humor, melancholy, and the exhilarating romance of aviation.

Porco Rosso (1992) | Credit: Studio Ghibli

However, the most fascinating fact is that Miyazaki once declared that he was preparing to create a sequel to Porco Rosso, titled, Porco Rosso: The Last Sortie. Although the vision still hasn’t come to fruition yet, Miyazaki can make another grand comeback by delivering a marvelous narrative with this idea.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Vision for the Sequel: Porco Rosso: The Last Sortie

In the September 2010 issue of the Japanese film magazine Cut, Hayao Miyazaki shared tantalizing...

Image Credit: Jordan Knight Have you ever been on the internet before? If so, you’ve probably heard a song by Chase Atlantic. The Australian trio have exploded over the past few years, and have taken that popularity to new heights with their latest release, Lost In Heaven , charting across the world. The more astute Chase Atlantic fans have probably noticed that anime permeates into their music on a regular basis, almost like an additional instrument within the songs. With songs like “Consume” directly referencing Tokyo Ghoul , to the way the band dresses, to their electric live shows, it’s clear that everyone’s favorite medium is lurking in their brains at all times. Vocalist Mitchel Cave was nice enough to tell me all about the story behind “Consume” and more about their new album! Related: The Black Dahlia Murder: Anime Has Always Been Cool Can you tell me a little about your anime journey?...

The creator of Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, Tatsuki Fujimoto, also achieved great success with Look Back, a highly emotive one-shot manga that struck a deep chord with readers all across the world. The story received a lot of praise for its exploration of friendship, tragedy, and artistic growth. However, what really makes Look Back unique is not just the touching story but also the unorthodox strategy Fujimoto relied on for the anime adaptation.

Look Back | Credit: Studio Durian

During production, Fujimoto granted director Kiyotaka Oshiyama a great deal of creative freedom. One of the greatest anime films ever made, this unconventional decision enabled the adaptation to include a unique perspective without sacrificing the integrity of the original manga. The industry norm, where creators often exercise strict control on adaptations, differs greatly from this cooperative approach.

Tatsuki Fujimoto and Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s collaborative vision Fujino and Kyomoto from Look Back...

While he is celebrated for his slasher-style series Chainsaw Man, Tatsuki Fujimoto is multifarious. The mangaka has worked on several notable projects that deserve their due recognition.

The year 2024 is precisely a boon for all the creators including Fujimoto. This is especially true for his film which is making the rounds on the Internet. But there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Fujino and Kyomoto in a still from Look Back | Credit: Studio Durian

Based on the one-shot manga of the same name, Look Back is soaring heights in more ways than one. The film has garnered a positive reception along with accolades. Not only that, Kaiju No. 8 and the film’s success cemented the Japanese animation industry’s glory.

But most of all, it exemplifies the splendid and stellar nature of the studios in reviving manga. Both film and the anime are markers of brilliance and finesse.

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most celebrated storytellers of our time, founding Studio Ghibli, home to iconic films like Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron, and more. The Studio Ghibli co-founder is regarded as a legendary director and animator whose entire filmography is exceptional.

Hayao Miyazaki | Image by 文部科学省ホームページ, licensed under Cc By-sa 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While fans admire Miyazaki-sensei’s storytelling, the animation studio’s ability to craft breathtaking scenery never fails to leave them in awe. Miyazaki, known for his cynicism, has often expressed disdain for many practices in the anime industry.

He once shared his harsh views on the hugely popular Pokémon series and criticized the negative influence the industry has on today’s youth.

Hayao Miyazaki’s harsh views on the globally beloved Pokémon series

Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli have been often considered to be the greatest duo in the anime industry.

Beneath the vibrant art style and engaging narratives of anime and manga lies a darker side: the pervasive over-sexualization of female characters. Among them, the legendary Studio Ghibli co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki strays away from this trope by creating grounded, realistic, and self-reliant female characters. However, Miyazaki is not the only exemplary one, several others have fought against the irritating trope, and one of them is none other than Satoshi Kon.

Satoshi Kon’s Paprika | Credit: Studio Madhouse

The late filmmaker has challenged these conventions with his groundbreaking films, offering complex portrayals of women that transcend harmful stereotypes. Yet, as the anime industry grew, series like One Piece and Bleach amplified the very tropes these visionaries sought to critique, perpetuating fan service that often undermines character depth.

Anime visionaries’ challenging stereotypes with harsh realities

Anime’s treatment of women has long been a point of heated debate, both within and outside the fandom.

The ending of Your Name explained the end of the beautiful and emotional story, but it also seemed somewhat confusing due to its time travel storyline. In Your Name, Taki and Mitsuha are two high school students who seem to have a strong bond even though they do not know each other. The way Your Name explained its narrative is not exactly linear. Still, despite its complex time travel plot, Your Name charmed audiences with a heartwarming story about a connection so strong that it could travel time and space.

Your Name earned $382 million worldwide at the box office (via Box Office Mojo), which ranks alongside films like one of the best Studio Ghibli movies Spirited Away. With a story spanning from 2013 to 2021, Your Name explained from the start that Taki and Mitsuha are somehow switching bodies, but the reasons why and how are only revealed towards the end of the movie.

For many years, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have brought together some of the most beautiful and carefully animated projects for fans and audiences around the world. Each film features a distinct plot and iconic characters that will leave a lasting impression in the minds of the viewers. Even though Miyazaki-Sensei has a collection full of memorable films that include names such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and so many more.

Marco Pagot, popularly known as Porco Rosso. Credits: Studio Ghibli

However, one name stands above all his masterclass creations. Released in 1992, Porco Rosso quickly rose to fame for taking its viewers on a rollercoaster of emotions; the film was colorful, somber, witty, and a real tearjerker. Nevertheless, choosing a pig to be a hero in the film felt quite odd to the eyes of the viewers, but Miyazaki-Sensei had a genius idea behind it.

Hayao Miyazaki’s...

Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” roared to the top of the U.K.-Ireland box office in its debut weekend with £4.4 million ($5.5 million), according to numbers from Comscore through Dec. 23.

As the holiday season reaches its peak, Universal’s “Wicked” continues to enchant in its fifth frame, conjuring £2.5 million for a robust £48.2 million running total. Disney’s “Moana 2” sailed to third place with £2 million, pushing its four-week cume to £29.7 million.

Studiocanal’s “Paddington in Peru” remained steady in fourth, adding £653,489 in its seventh weekend for a £31.3 million total. Paramount’s “Gladiator II” rounded out the top five with £497,569, reaching £29.6 million after six weeks.

In sixth place, Black Bear’s “Conclave” collected £331,308 for a £4.9 million total, while Trafalgar Releasing’s “Ivanov/Wright The Nutcracker” Royal Opera House ballet presentation earned £227,082 in seventh. Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter” collected £171,942 in eighth position for a total of £1.2 million, while Park Circus...

In an era when anime’s global appeal is soaring, the thought of Hayao Miyazaki’s potential retirement already sends ripples of uncertainty across the industry. Miyazaki; the creative genius behind Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and many more Studio Ghibli films, has long been regarded as the guardian of meaningful storytelling in anime.

Chihiro from Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

However, one particular element of anime will suffer a great loss if Miyazaki really retires: the depiction of empowered and dynamic female characters. With industry giants like Eiichiro Oda and Tite Kubo embracing narratives filled with battles and often leaning into hypersexualized portrayals of female characters, the absence of Miyazaki’s voice could leave a void in anime that no one is ready to fill.

Hayao Miyazaki’s world: Female portrayal done right

One of Hayao Miyazaki‘s greatest contributions to anime is his portrayal of female protagonists who...

For decades, Studio Ghibli has captivated audiences with its breathtaking animation and lovable stories, bringing fantastical worlds to life with unforgettable characters. From the quiet magic of My Neighbor Totoro to the epic journey of Princess Mononoke, Studio Ghibli has consistently proven its ability to adapt folklore and mythology into amazing tales. But it has been years since we have seen a groundbreaking new anime from the studio. With the upcoming release of Okami 2, there is no better time for Ghibli to adapt the beloved Okami video game series into an anime.

Despite its critical acclaim, Okami has never received an anime adaptation. The game's story is full of Japanese folklore, following Amaterasu, the sun goddess reincarnated as a white wolf, on her quest to restore light to a darkened world. This mythological foundation is the kind of material that Studio Ghibli thrives on, and an anime adaptation would not...

A current conceit for some pop concerts, if you will, be they Madonna, Beyoncé or Taylor Swift, entails the performer flashing their hits across a spectacle of costume changes and jazzed-up set pieces.

Billie Eilish, on the other hand, doesn’t need such tricks. In fact, the singer only has one getup throughout her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour, which is closing out its North American leg at the Kia Forum in her L.A. hometown this week. Her performance wattage is what’s bedazzling in how she can take the singles from her recent chill, self-reflective album Hit Me Hard and Soft and turn them up onstage to 11 (in Spinal Tap volume speak), whether it’s bass or belting.

Witness her first tune of the evening, “Chihiro,” an ode to the character in Spirited Away. Not exactly a dance-party number from the album, but Eilish mushrooms the ditty out of the gate,...

The IMDb top-250 is a curious portrait of populist taste. The list is, it's worth remembering, culled only from user ratings on the IMDb website, and, judging by the films on the list, the average IMDb user seems to be a college-age white male with a taste for crime, guns, fantasy, and the ultra-masculine. The top movies on the list all seem to be the types of movies that young men would own posters for, proudly displayed on their dorm room walls. There are many unassailable classics, to be sure, and young teens could easily look to the list as a rudimentary introduction to the world of cinema, but the list seems ... skewed. There's not a lot of variety. It's not curated by a single critic, nor even a panel of critics. It's just a general consensus of the taste of the types of people who like to rate movies on IMDb.

Hayao Miyazaki is a perfectionist through and through, and Studio Ghibli movies are proof of his undeniable nature. And when you are a perfectionist, it is hard to look past the smallest of mistakes. Miyazaki is the same, as he constantly finds things that he hates about his projects.

It is due to his perfectionist nature that Ghibli has produced one international hit after another. But what happens when he is no longer involved in the creative process? Will he be able to accept new changes brought about by new-gen directors? Or will Miyazaki only focus on the things he could have done differently?

Hayao Miyazaki hated a Studio Ghibli movie scene due to its resemblance to Neon Genesis Evangelion Princess Mononoke | Credits: Studio Ghibli

A Reddit post highlights the perfectionist nature of Hayao Miyazaki with a behind-the-scenes shot from the production process of a Ghibli movie. In the post,...

Studio Ghibli is known for its comfortable family movies that romanticize slow life. But the studio is also a forerunner in including revolutionary messages in movies. Hayao Miyazaki has often set Ghibli movies in the background of war-torn countries, and even the most tame, family-friendly films have grave messages behind them.

Disney and Pixar might be the leading animated film producers in the West but Hayao Miyazaki has been ruling over the anime movie market for decades. Two of his films have won the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature, while others have set records at the Japanese box office.

Studio Ghibli’s movie-making process is devoid of Disney and Pixar’s test screening ritual Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Pixar and Disney prefer an integrative approach for their films and use audience test screenings to gauge the reaction of the audience. The studios show a randomly...

If you think you know Hayao Miyazaki well, the person behind some of the most mind-blowing anime films such as The Boy and The Heron and Spirited Away, then think again! Beneath his status as a genius filmmaker, he holds strong opinions regarding some Western films for which he absolutely despises them.

A still from the Oscar-winning Hayao Miyazaki film, The Boy and The Heron | Credits: Studio Ghibli

And surprisingly, one of the least-liked franchises includes the famous Indiana Jones series. In a past interview, Miyazaki did not just criticize these Harrison Ford movies but also the fans who love them. Who knew this master anime movie director had such a feisty side?

Not every day you hear a highly acclaimed director trash a beloved franchise like this, but Miyazaki’s candid comments are definitely making us wonder – what exactly made him dislike these movies so much? Here’s what he explained.

Very few filmmakers have been as passionate about their craft as Hayao Miyazaki. Throughout his extended career, he wanted to end his creative venture for good multiple times, only to come back again due to his endless thirst for animated storytelling. However, his decision to retire during the late 1990s marked a significant turning point; although the decision didn’t last long, in exchange it marked the creative inspiration for his timeless masterpiece, Spirited Away.

Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Spirited Away was initially intended by Hayao Miyazaki for 10-year-olds but was lauded by critics and audiences of all ages. It not only became a cultural phenomenon but also shattered box office records in Japan, surpassing James Cameron’s Titanic to become the highest-grossing film in the country at the time.

Spirited Away: A film made out of Hayao Miyazaki’s creative block

In 1999, after pouring all his passion into filmmaking,...

Although there is no shortage of Christmas movies out there, very few of them end up lasting a long time in the public consciousness. The last movie to truly prove itself long-term was the 2003 comedy "Elf," which is up there on most people's rewatch list every time the holidays come around. For the most part, though, our favorite Christmas movies are the older ones, like "Home Alone" (1990), "A Christmas Story" (1983), "A Christmas Carol" (1951), or "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947).

Before all of those was "It's a Wonderful Life," which came out in 1946 and is now considered the absolute best film the Christmas genre has to offer. With a score of 8.6 out of 10 on IMDb, the movie is ranked 21st among the site's top movies ever. In 2024, at least, nobody's got a bad thing to say about the film. It's a heartwarming story about a guy who learns to value the wonderful life he has,...

Hayao Miyazaki’s stories are a wonderland with their enchanting themes and surreal visuals. Be it My Neighbor Totoro or Princess Mononoke, the movies underline the intricacies of humans and their relationship with nature.

But that is not all considering the thought-provoking themes and metaphors the director incorporates in his films. The fantasy is fused with realism which is what makes up for the compelling narrative. Such is the case with this iconic Ghibli movie.

Howl Pendragon in a still from the movie | Credit: Studio Ghibli

With one of the most popular movies from the studio, Miyazaki hired this famous star to represent Japan. Not only was this a smart move but it marked one of the iconic moments in Ghibli’s history.

On top of that, Ghibli’s subtle anti-war stance along with their previous works highlight the diversity and versatility in storytelling. The studio set a benchmark when it comes to Japanese animation.

Hayao Miyazaki is a genius in his own right, and that is proved by the popularity of Ghibli movies. He is a one-of-a-kind director and someone irreplaceable in the field of anime films. But what is Ghibli’s future after Miyazaki?

Miyazaki is a cynical man who cannot stand most of the practices in the anime industry. For decades, he has ruled over Ghibli with an iron hand and has refused to retire after several hoaxes. But dissecting his interviews gives rise to an unpopular opinion about him.

Hayao Miyazaki Might Lead to the Downfall of Studio Ghibli with His Controlling Nature

Hayao Miyazaki has announced his retirement quite a few times. He first announced his retirement in 1997 following the release of Princess Mononoke. After the extraordinary success of Spirited Away, the director stated that he could no longer work on feature-length films but returned to direct Ponyo in 2009. He...

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, from My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited 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, especially Disney, 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.

Experience Spirited Away in All of Its Magical Beauty on the Big Screen This Christmas on Boxing Day Re-release

London, 10 December 2024 – Elysian Film Group and Anonymous Content are thrilled to unveil the official trailer and poster for the highly anticipated UK and Roi re-release of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning animated masterpiece, Spirited Away. Longtime fans and new viewers of Studio Ghibli alike can experience the fantastical film on the big screen once again on 26th December 2024.

The Standard call it “Awe-inspiring”, and Financial Times wanted to award it “Six stars out of five” for a treasure that lives and breathes on the big screen. To experience Spirited Away back in the cinema since its 2003 release means all audiences will once again get to have that “magical experience” (Empire).

Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Spirited Away is a “must see masterpiece” (Digital Spy) that follows...

Mechanic Rocky Ott Release Update ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

The Vishwak Sen starrer Telugu action-comedy film Mechanic Rocky was released into the theatres on November 22, 2024, with a lot of expectations. However, it witnessed a dismal box office performance. Now, the movie is ready to be released on the Ott platform.

Mechanic Rocky Plot

The Vishwak Sen starrer revolves around a happy-go-lucky mechanic named Rocky who has to go against a dangerous landgrabber, Ranki Reddy (Sunil), to save his ancestral car garage. He faces several obstacles during his quest to do so. He furthermore also discovers some unexpected revelations while treading this tumultuous path.

When And Where To Watch Mechanic Rocky Online?

According to a new report in Track Tollywood, the Vishwak Sen starrer will be released on the Ott streaming platform Amazon Prime Video. The movie will be released on the streaming platform on December 19, 2024. It will be interesting to see...