Legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (Age 85) has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. At a Studio Ghibli press event held on March 17 in Tokyo, producer Toshio Suzuki shared an update on Miyazaki’s current condition, revealing that the veteran director remains highly active.
“He’s already 85, but he still wants to make movies.”
Suzuki said Miyazaki, who turned 85 in January this year, is doing far better than expected.
“He’s incredibly energetic.”
Also present at the event was Miyazaki’s son, director Goro Miyazaki, who gave a surprising insight into his father’s health.
“His blood test results are better than mine.”
Suzuki further explained that Miyazaki still strongly sees himself as active and continues to have the drive to create films, even at his age.
“He still has a very strong feeling of ‘I’m still active, I’m still going.’”
At the same time, he admitted that Miyazaki’s motivation can fluctuate depending on his condition.
“On days when he’s not feeling well, he’ll say things like, ‘I’m not going to make movies anymore.’”
“And then it repeats.”
During the event, Studio Ghibli also unveiled Miyazaki’s latest work, a new art format called a “Panorama Box.” The piece is designed like a layered picture box, where different elements such as backgrounds and characters are placed in multiple layers to create depth when viewed from the front, almost like a scene from a film.
Miyazaki began working on these during the final stages of production of his 2023 film The Boy and the Heron. The collection includes scenes inspired by his past works, from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind to his latest film, along with newly drawn original illustrations.
A total of 23 Panorama Boxes were revealed at the event. These works will be displayed at Ghibli Park, specifically inside the “Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse” exhibition area starting July 8.
Even now, Miyazaki continues to create new work, and according to Suzuki, his desire to make films hasn’t faded yet.
Source: Manten Web
