Today (yesterday in Japan) is the 85th birthday of Hayao Miyazaki.
When Studio Ghibli’s 12th feature film, The Boy and the Heron, came three years ago, an 82-year-old Miyazaki said once again he was retiring from the business saying he was “really serious this time!”
That didn’t happen, as the next year the studio Vice President said Miyazaki was still coming in everyday and thinking of new ideas. Today, the wonderful genius who co-founded Studio Ghibli more than 40 years ago, remains one of the greatest creatives in the world of animation.
In case you need your memory jogged, here is what Studio Ghibli has brought the world in past four decades:
Studio Ghibli was famous for its whimsical characters, its sometimes inspirational sometimes heartbreaking plots, but every bit a masterpiece in visual storytelling. Studio Ghibli fans numbers grow every day, as a result.
Of course, Miyazaki is also known by fans as a very outspoken curmudgeon. Here are a few memes and jokes about Ghibli and Miyazaki for fans of his everywhere (no Ghibli style AI included):
Found on Pinterest:
I particularly love the memes based on the difference between Miyazaki and master of horror mangas and anime Junji Ito. One’s work doesn’t always reflect one’s nature:
Well, no matter whether you like his spirit or his attitude, we wish this master of imagination a very Happy Birthday: