The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki

An in-depth collection of the rich influences and sources ofinspiration behind one of animated cinema’s all-time greats, andJapanese cinema’s most popular cultural export.Japanese filmmaker, director and anime artist Hayao Miyazaki hasbeen described as the ‘godfather of animation’, with a cultural outputand level of influence to rival Walt Disney’s. In 1985 he co-foundedStudio Ghibli, Japan’s most-successful animation studio, and wenton to direct the vast majority of its most notable productions.His many films include My Neighbour Totoro (1988), Spirited Away(2001), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), and Ponyo (2008), each of whichhave been enormous cult hits both inside and outside of Japan –Spirited Away is still the highest-grossing film in Japanese cinemahistory, but also received an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.Miyazaki’s worlds are painstakingly produced and deeply stylisticallyinventive. Only he could have created ‘Totoro’ – a giant furry spiritinspired by a racoon dog and a cat – and turn him into a globalphenomenon. His influences encompass both Japanese and broaderWestern influences.The Worlds of Miyazaki will bring these influencestogether to show how Miyazaki creates his magical worlds, and indoing so has become one of modern cinemas most influential stylists.