As expected, Miyazaki has yet again changed his mind about retiring. This is not uncommon for the renowned animation director, as he has made similar announcements at least three times in the past. The real question now is whether the 83-year-old will ever truly retire.
According to reports, Miyazaki’s final work, The Boy and the Heron, would have been a fitting conclusion to his successful career had it won the Best Animated Feature award. Intended as a legacy for his grandchildren, the film was meant to serve as his farewell piece.
Despite his consistent pattern, whenever his mind and body recuperate from the strain of producing a new masterpiece, he effortlessly convinces himself to abandon his retirement aspirations, ultimately benefiting everyone.
Despite the physical and creative demands of hand-drawing the majority of frames in his own films, Miyazaki perseveres and often reconsiders his retirement plans when he successfully overcomes the strain.
According to Susan Napier, a professor at Tufts University, Miyazaki will only retire once he is unable to hold a pencil. The author of Miyazakiworld also shares that retirement is not in the director’s plans as his work holds the utmost significance in his life.
According to Roland Kelts, author of Japanamerica, Miyazaki is completely devoted to his craft and excels at it. Kelts also notes that Miyazaki is highly competitive, which may be why Ghibli has not been able to find or train a successor.
Despite apparent competition, Miyazaki’s motivation to surpass his rivals was also a driving force. Even with the possibility of other artists emerging in the wake of his “retirement,”it seems that no one can match his talent and Miyazaki will continue as long as he desires.
During the NHK broadcast documentary, Miyazaki stated, “I feel the urge to create a work by unearthing the depths of my being,”which does not suggest that he has any intention of giving up on his work anytime soon.
It is speculated that Miyazaki is back to work and may come back with a brief animation. According to Junichi Nishioka, vice-president of Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki is filled with fresh ideas to collaborate with. Even if the Oscar winner does not have plans to animate, he will continue to write.
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