An in-depth collection of the rich influences and sources of inspiration behind one of animated
cinema’s all-time greats and Japanese cinema’s most popular cultural export. Japanese
filmmaker director and anime artist Hayao Miyazaki has been described as the ‘godfather of
animation’ with a cultural output and level of influence to rival Walt Disney’s. In 1985 he
co-founded Studio Ghibli Japan’s most-successful animation studio and went on to direct the
vast majority of its most notable productions. His many films include My Neighbour Totoro
(1988) Spirited Away (2001) Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) and Ponyo (2008) each of which have
been enormous cult hits both inside and outside of Japan – Spirited Away is still the
highest-grossing film in Japanese cinema history but also received an Academy Award for Best
Animated Feature. Miyazaki’s worlds are painstakingly produced and deeply stylistically
inventive. Only he could have created ‘Totoro’ – a giant furry spirit inspired by a racoon dog
and a cat – and turn him into a global phenomenon. His influences encompass both Japanese and
broader Western influences. The Worlds of Miyazaki will bring these influences together to show
how Miyazaki creates his magical worlds and in doing so has become one of modern cinemas most
influential stylists.
