Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese animator. Throughout his projects; both those he has directed, written, or both, there are elements in his life that repeat themselves within his films. Born in 1941, Miyazaki grew up in a war-time environment. Typical of the post-war feeling of the time amongst children, Miyazaki wanted to become an artist, specifically a Japanese Mangaka. Miyazaki had to work on developing his own style, having been infuenced by his Father's association with the war, directing himself from drawing war-time machinery (such as planes, tanks etc) into expanding his horizations to human form, environments etc. Miyazaki was inspired by other Japanese manga artists at the time, most notably Osamu Tezuka (famous for his films Astroboy, and Kimba the White Lion), helping him focus on achieving his goals. As a side effect, however, he got criticism for having a style very similar to Tezuka's. Only when Miyazaki began to study animation, did he distance himself from Tezuka's works.
Although Miyazaki originally wanted to become a mangaka, he changed his mind through watching a film which he found inspirational. This film was Japan's first full-feature animated movie, titled The Tale of the White Serpent by Taiji Yabushita. It was this impression that would shape Miyazaki's career, leading him to dedicate himself to animation.
Logic is using the front part of the brain, that's all. But you can't make a film with logic. Or if you look at it differently, everybody can make a film with logic. But my way is to not use logic. I try to dig deep into the well of my subconscious. At a certain moment in that process, the lid is opened and very different ideas and visions are liberated. With those I can start making a film. But maybe it's better that you don't open that lid completely, because if you release your subconscious it becomes really hard to live a social or family life. - Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki started out reletively unknown. In April 1963, Miyazaki got his first job as an animator working for Toei Animation, a couple of years later his first work was as an 'in-between' artist for the film Gulliver's Travels Beyond the Moon (Garibā no Uchuu Ryokō) in 1965. In 1971, Miyazaki joined the animation company 'A Pro' where he co-directed the episodic series 'Lupin III' with Isao Takahata. The first film in which he had full control over the direction was The Castle of Cagliostro (1979), a Lupin III adventure film.
Although Miyazaki enjoyed reletive success with his direction over feature films, it is Miyazaki's own work in which has gained him his famed recognition. His first major written and directed film was Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Hailing back to Miyazaki's original goal of becoming a manga artist, the full feature film is an adaptation of his manga of the same name that was serialized from 1982 until 1994 in Japan. It is through Nausicaa that we first see the themes in which reocurr in Miyazaki's subsequent films. The film follows the journey of Princess Nausicaä, throughout a strife ridden land caused by two great nations warring. Miyazaki's film is described as having 'a concern with ecology and the human impact on the environment; a fascination with aircraft and flight; pacifism, including an anti-military streak; feminism; and morally ambiguous characterizations, especially among villains.'
For Miyazaki, Nausicaä Valley of the Wind was the prelude to the true beginning of his career, and is often credited as part of his portfolio of work for the animation company 'Studio Ghibli'. Miyazaki founded Studio Ghibli alongside Isao Takahata with whom he had previously worked with, establishing itself from the success of Nausicaä. Hayao Miyazaki has written, directed, and produced many successful films, such as My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, etc. There are two films of his however that are his most prominent, and are the most inspiring to both animators and illustrators in general.
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