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Hayao Miyazaki isn’t new to criticism; the renowned Ghibli director has received negative feedback on almost all of his anti-war movies. Unfortunately, for haters, Miyazaki movies will never stop delivering strong commentaries on war and other disasters created by human follies.
FromThe Wind Rises, Howl’s Moving Castle,andPrincess MononoketoThe Grave of the Fireflies, all of these Studio Ghibli films depict or reference different wars. The magic of Miyazaki is that he never portrays outright battles but the struggles of those affected.
Hayao Miyazaki Wants Japan to Remember the Atrocities it Had Committed
In August 2024,Hayao Miyazakiwas awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations in Asia who have achieved distinction in their respective fields. It also honors their public service and contributions to Asia. Duringthe acceptance speech, Hayao Miyazaki talked about his experience with war as he attempted to unearth the atrocities committed by Japan during the Second World War.
The Japanese did a lot of terrible things back then, they killed many civilians. The Japanese people must not forget this. It will always remain. With such history, I solemnly accept the Ramon Magsaysay Award from the Philippines.
In anofficial statementreleased to the Foundation, Miyazki shared that he was delighted to receive the prestigious award if it were the result of his films being accepted by Asian people and children who were given the strength to live through his films.
Hayao Miyazaki’s anti-war stanceis reflected in his movies and the filmography of Studio Ghibli. He has faced criticism more often than not for his ideologies, but the director stays undaunted by them. Several Ghibli movies depict the effect that war has on humans. While the movies themselves don’t show the heat of war, the long-lasting effects of it are clearly portrayed.
Hayao Miyazaki Has Been Called a Traitor For His Views in Ghibli Movies
The Wind Rises, a 2013 Ghibli movie, portrays a fictional account of Jiro Horikoshi, a Japanese aeronautical engineer. Horikoshi designed the A6M ‘Zero’ fighter plane, which was used during World War II. But the movie itself focuses on the character’s life rather than the war. While the movie received praise from a large audience, it was not received positively by East Asian countries like Japan, China, and Korea.
Hayao Miyazaki’s comments on the issues of comfort women and disputed island territories received plenty of hatred aspeople were quick to call him a traitor and anti-national element.His latest movie, The Boy and the Heron, also depicts Japanese citizens who were working for the empire despite not directly being involved in the conflict.
Miyazaki was born in pre-war Japan and grew up with first-hand knowledge of the country’s atrocities as well as sufferings. The widespread destruction that he witnessed has influenced his outlook. Despitehis movies being largely catered to children, he believes that they are capable of being imbibed with complex concepts if their imagination can be provoked suitably.
Aaheli Pradhan
Anime Content Writer
Articles Published :1558
Aaheli is an Anime Content Writer at FandomWire with 1300+ published articles. With five years of experience under her belt, she is a living, breathing encyclopedia for anime and manga. From Shonen and Shojo to the most niche anime, nothing escapes her radar. Her poisons of choice are Assassination Classroom, Gintama, Ouran High School Host Club and every Ghibli movie ever. She believes in living a slow life, surrounded by incomplete art projects and her beloved cats.
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Hayao MiyazakiStudio Ghibli
