Seriously, where does this heck of a man get his energy?!
On the red carpet for the international release of Hayao Miyazaki’s latest (and supposedly, last) film “The Boy and The Heron,” Studio Ghibli executive Junichi Nishioka revealed to the media that the renowned director will not be retiring and “is currently working on ideas for his next film.”
This, by the way, is the fourth time Hayao Miyazaki has come out of retirement. The first time was in 1997 following the release of “Princess Mononoke,” which garnered astounding praise and cemented his legacy in Japanese animation. Then came 2001, when he also said that “he can no longer work on feature-length animated films” after the multi-awarded movie “Spirited Away.”
The next one was after the release of the 2013 animated historical film “The Wind Rises,” when he then said that if he wanted to make another film, he’d be “an old man saying something foolish.” Then, well, a decade later, he came out with the critically acclaimed “The Boy and The Heron,” and was revealed to not be retiring after all.
The 82-year-old Japanese animator is well-loved around the world and at the same time, people have gotten quite used to his “I’m going to retire!” phase, so this news doesn’t seem to be…well, a surprise. It’s actually, incredibly pleasant to see someone actually love their work so much.
Studio Ghibli VP Junichi Nishioka says ‘THE BOY AND THE HERON’ will no longer be Hayao Miyazaki’s final movie.
The director has already come back to the office with new ideas for another movie.
(Source: @glasneronfilm) pic.twitter.com/y9FZhnqleh
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki's best running gag.
(by @Bouletcorp, 2017) pic.twitter.com/Zw1qeMQunH— Catsuka 💙 (@catsuka) September 8, 2023
I will pretend to be upset every time Hayao Miyazaki retires and pretend I believed him every time he changes his mind I think he’s earned the right to be humored in this way
— JP (@jpbrammer) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki on his deathbed upon hearing his son will be in charge of making movies pic.twitter.com/MhUJnaSPEC
— alaber-month (@KarlMaalab) September 9, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki comes out from retirement againhttps://t.co/pkOSayPLxg pic.twitter.com/XxqnM0uIws
— pannchoa (@pannchoa) September 8, 2023
why is this yoongi core in 40 years pic.twitter.com/rS5IKHW9xD
— yuki⁷ (slow) (@joon_lovebot) September 9, 2023
“I love da game, I love da hustle”
-Hayao Miyazaki https://t.co/xy8cJi2Qp8— ƎSOᒐ ƎƧOᒐ 3SOJ (@by_joseA) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki is not retiring from filmmaking.
Studio Ghibli V.P. Junichi Nishioka says he’s already return to the office with new movie ideas. pic.twitter.com/iinR95xwuE
— Anime News And Facts (@AniNewsAndFacts) September 8, 2023
hayao miyazaki saying every movie is his “last movie” only to come back with yet another one pic.twitter.com/0NHUGeL5wo https://t.co/AbLLc5oMSi
— sami ✨ (@seokjeanist) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki is so real because I to would dramatically retire only to un-retire.
— Minnie (@saintdutchess) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki every few years after saying he’s retired: https://t.co/JvyxtPmccY pic.twitter.com/2qWRtfQj45
— ajaya! (@ajayajones_) September 6, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki after not retiring from filmmaking for the 10th time pic.twitter.com/kkFvba8Oih
— dre (@v2TokyoGhost) September 8, 2023
BREAKING NEWS: Hayao Miyazaki will not be retiring after all.
Studio Ghibli's vice president, Junichi Nishioka, tells us that he is already coming into the office with new ideas! pic.twitter.com/iCJS7kj93w
— Studio Ghibli (@StudioGVibes) September 9, 2023
I genuinely think Hayao Miyazaki hates retirement. I remember him saying in the documentary Never Ending Man I'd rather die working than die doing nothing" after he decided to make The Boy and the Heron. If he wants to keep making films though, I'd still happily watch them. https://t.co/j1xtyFJB2o
— Animated Antic (@Animated_Antic) September 8, 2023
Studio Ghibli’s Junichi Nishioka says Hayao Miyazaki “announces his retirement after making a film because he's put all his energy into it & thinks he can't make any more.
This time he's not saying so. He's making exhibits for Ghibli Park & has movie ideas”
(via: @HertzBarry) pic.twitter.com/nlMRrc9H18
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki entering the meeting room and enthusiastically writing The Boy$ and the Heron$ on a whiteboard
— Jared Gilman (@realJaredGilman) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki continuing to make films is a win for cinema https://t.co/5APePgiSKk
— Okiro (@TheFirstOkiro) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki realizing he can never retire b/c he's a perfectionist workaholic with a terrible relationship with his family that he's ignored while he's been at Ghibli forcing the animators to slave tirelessly to bring his visions to life: "Guess I'll (direct until I) die."
— Mel in Hell (@meronichan) September 9, 2023
-It will be the last movie from Hayao Miyazaki
Mr. Miyazaki: https://t.co/MWusTgeOP3 pic.twitter.com/jdPvrjH2DJ— Vo (@Vo_Memes) September 8, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki studied the art of Profesional Wrestling Retirement.
— Summer Break Steve (@SteveYurko) September 8, 2023
hayao miyazaki – the grumpy workaholic that refuses to retire even when he says so https://t.co/WXpK2LwNyI
— katherine (@chaalavida) September 8, 2023
At the very least, we’re still certain that one of our favorite childhood animation film directors are still cooking up something good—even when we’re all adults struggling to find sense in the world.
He, undeniably, brings out certain emotions in his films that people have a hard time expressing on their own. His artistry is amazing, work ethic inspiring, and dedication to filmmaking is top-tier. No one ever does it like Hayao Miyazaki, well, at least for me.
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