Whenever Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli join hands, the planet is treated with extraordinary masterpieces. Since the 1980s, the duo has given multiple hits. All of his movies have been critically acclaimed. He won the Oscars with The Boy and the Heron. But there is another particular movie that could have won the Oscar.
Fans believe that The Wind Rises should have won the Oscar in 2014. Miyazaki’s work left everyone stunned. Unfortunately, Frozen won in the Best Animated Feature category, beating The Wind Rises. Frozen was also a great movie, but it was one scene from Miyazaki’s movie that won everyone’s hearts.
The Wind Rises Remains Is One Of The Most Underrated Animated Movies
Legendary movie director Hayao Miyazaki won his third Oscar with The Boy and the Heron. But many fans believe it should have been his fourth. He won his first with Spirited Away. In 2014, he received an Honorary Award and finally won in 2024. In 2013, he released The Wind Rises, one of his most underrated movies. It lost to Frozen in the following year’s Oscar.
Even though Frozen had a great story, one particular scene in The Wind Rises was mind-blowing. The Earthquake sequence of the movie took a staggering one year and three months to animate. Most animated films take less time to complete the entire story. The scene was based on the Kanto Earthquake in 1923, so several minute details had to be taken care of.
It was such a complex scene, and everything had to be perfect with it. Since it was an earthquake, the faces had to show signs of fear and worry. Studio Ghibli outdid themselves with the detailing, and their commitment was pictured in that scene. The tension almost grasps the viewer like they were there during the crisis. The movie remains criminally underrated. Maybe the sadness is what caused Miyazaki to retire.
Fans Are Upset With Frozen’s Oscar Win
It has been a decade since the 86th Academy Awards took place. But fans still cannot forget the moment when Frozen won the Best Animated Feature, leaving behind Studio Ghibli’s The Wind Rises. They were sure that Hayao Miyazaki would win his second Oscar after almost thirteen years. Unfortunately, that wish was never fulfilled. The earthquake scene still haunts them like it was yesterday.
One year and three months were long for an animated movie, yet the hard work was never appreciated. Fans have often raised their voices on social media. One of them said, “and still angry that Oscar went to Frozen that year.” Others commented, “Yeah, but that’s why Ghibli films are always masterpieces. That amount of work does not go unnoticed.” “Every single character looks so alive,” was said by another. An angry fan said, “the disrespect towards artists shows time and time again.”
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The Wind Rises will forever live within the fans’ minds rent-free. Maybe Hayao Miyazaki winning the Oscar in 2024 will make them relieved since it might be the last movie. He is 83 years old and might not have many years to live. But he has written his name amongst the stars. Not many can boast two Oscars and one Honorary Academy Award.
