Student Feature: A Biography of Miyazaki Hayao

11th April 2014

Our students come from all over the world and love sharing knowledge about their countries and culture. We are delighted to now be able to share all of this knowledge on the Celtic School blog! Please enjoy our first ‘Student Feature’ written by one of our Japanese students, Minano Matsue.

Biography: Miyazaki Hayao

Miyazaki Hayao is the most popular and famous Japanese movie creator. Do you know Ghibli? Ghibli is an anime company. He made anime. Ghibli’s animes are popular in Japan and many foreign countries.

He was born in 1941 in Tokyo. His father’s company made parts for planes so there are many planes in his anime. He has been affected by his father’s company. In 1963, he graduated from University in economics. After, he wanted to be a cartoonist. When he was working at an animation company, he felt bored making the animation but on year later when he watched The Snow Queen, the Russian anime, he was moved and thought: “I want to become an anime creator”.

Also, he had created many anime in Japan. However, at first his animes were not popular when the movies were showing. But the movies became popular after showing. The dolls, like character were sold and these sales supported the company’s income.
In 1985, he established the company, Studio Ghibli. He created, for example, My neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Heidi, girl of the Alps and so on. They have been very famous and very popular. In 1997, Princess Mononoke was a big hit. The movie was a box-office smash and more successful than E.T for the first time in fifteen years. In 2001, Spirited Away won a prize and has become famous.

His anime are created for many children, but the movies are loved by younger and older people alike. He isn’t creating now as he is 73 years old and it is difficult to create long movies. Although, his anime will be loved by many people, not only Japanese but also other nationalities, I believe.