We look at legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki’s rise to success.
Somehow, his films managed to be both universal and deeply personal.
When he went to university, however, Miyazaki studied political science and economics rather than the arts.
Miyazaki wasnt content to simply sit at his work station and draw in-between frames, either.
Within one year of joining Toei Animation, hed become secretary of the studios labor union.
One of the most significant credits onHustle Punch an anarchic comedy series created by Yasuji Mori was Isao Takahata.
Prince of the Sunmarked the stage where Miyazakis dedication to his craft really came to the fore.
While he was in hospital recovering from appendicitis, he kept working away on early character designs.
(Interestingly,Prince of the Sunwouldnt be the first of Takahatas films to take an age to complete.
Instead, he was demoted to assistant director on TV anime, includingSecret Little AkkoandKitaro of GeGeGe.
The project would ultimately prove abortive, but Takahata and Miyazaki continued to work together through the 70s.
Go, Panda!(1972).
A wave comes rolling in, and the crabs briefly huddle down to avoid being swept away.
Such frustrations aside,The Castle Of Cagliostrowas and remains a stunning debut.
After years of honing his craft, Miyazaki had made his first mark as a film director.
Gigantic mutant creatures, the wormlike Ohmu, roam a landscape of toxic jungles and deserts.
Studio Ghibli
Theres one important person weve only briefly mentioned so far: Toshio Suzuki.
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