Hayao Miyazaki has a reputation for being one of the most renowned animators not only in Japan but throughout the world. The image set by Ghibli Studios is one worth commending and it leaves an impression of great character and world understanding, as well as the audience’s perception of the art. He has often been compared to some of the biggest animators and filmmakers.
Not only that, but his work has inspired many across the world. His ability to inspire isn’t limited to anime enthusiasts alone but even the biggest Hollywood film directors and producers. There have been many who have openly praised him and some of the biggest Hollywood starts have contributed their voice for the English dubbing of his works.
Hayao Miyazaki is Not the Walt Disney of Japan
During an interview (via Brian Dana Camp), Hayao Miyazaki talked about Walt Disney Studio’s hand in distributing Studio Ghibli movies worldwide and the credit he refused to take for it. He admitted that although they are contributing to the films’ worldwide releases, he has nothing to do with them, especially the business side of things. On being compared to Walt Disney himself, Miyazaki refused almost immediately.
Walt Disney was a great producer. I’m just an animator. You can’t compare us. It’s apples and oranges. I have no interest in becoming an owner-manager. I have my hands full being an artist.
He stated that both Miyazaki and Disney are completely different people with even more contrasting jobs. Disney was a businessman and a producer, one that the Ghibli CEO finds himself respecting through and through. However, to compare oneself to him would be unfaithful to those who understand both Miyazaki and Disney.
According to him, a producer is not something he would be able to describe himself as. Instead, Miyazaki sees himself solely as an animator and nothing more. His first and foremost priority is to create art, not just for himself but for the world.
Hayao Miyazaki Would Rather Take a Backseat
Although Hayao Miyazaki sees himself primarily as an animator and as an artist, he stands as the head of Studio Ghibli. Moreover, there have been some films of the studio where he acted as a producer. Whisper of the Heart, Pom Poko, and Only Yesterday being a few examples.
I do but actually I don’t do anything. I choose the director. I help approve of the concept and then I bow down to my investors.
To justify that, Miyazaki admitted that although he helmed the role of a producer, there wasn’t much he did except perhaps decide who the director would be. He would simply take a backseat and let the others do their jobs.
He would not interfere, seeing that his job as the animator was long since over with others to take up their tasks. As a result, he never found any conflicted interests, accepting his own ability as an animator while letting the others do what they knew best.
