Japanese Filmmaking Triumphs at Oscars with Miyazaki's Second Win and Godzilla's Debut Award

Fans and artists in Japan are celebrating a night of triumph for the country's movie industry. Anime legend Hayao Miyazaki won his second Oscar, while the iconic Godzilla franchise also received its first award.

In recent years, Asian films and actors have been gaining recognition at the Academy Awards. The South Korean thriller "Parasite" made history in 2020 by being the first non-English language film to win best picture, along with three other awards.

Last year, the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once" took center stage. It's an absurdist action comedy that follows a Chinese immigrant family in America as they navigate cultural differences. The film swept the awards, with Vietnam-born Ke Huy Quan winning best supporting role and Malaysia's Michelle Yeoh taking home best actress. Both stars also presented awards at the ceremony.

This year, the focus shifted to Japan's talented individuals.

Miyazaki’s newest anime film, “The Boy and Heron,” was awarded best animated feature film on Sunday, beating out tough competition like Disney’s “Elemental” and Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”

This marks the 83-year-old filmmaker’s second Oscar win, following the groundbreaking success of “Spirited Away” in 2002, which was the first non-English animated film to win in the same category.

Tokyo-based Roland Kelts, author of “Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Invaded the US,” told CNN that Ghibli’s reputation has significantly grown over the past 20 years. He credits this to the high quality of Ghibli’s work over nearly four decades.

According to Kelts, it is also important for the Oscar Academy to recognize the artistic genius of Miyazaki and understand the difference between animation as pure entertainment (common in most American animation) and animation from Japan.

Hayao Miyazaki attends an award ceremony in Hollywood on November 8, 2014.

Hayao Miyazaki attends an award ceremony in Hollywood on November 8, 2014.

Richard Harbaugh/THA/Shutterstock

Since founding Studio Ghibli in 1985, Miyazaki has become one of the country’s most influential cultural icons.

His unique style of illustration, created painstakingly frame by frame, is closely associated with Japanese animation, known for its otherworldly quality.

In his iconic films like "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Howl's Moving Castle," he blends folklore, magic, and spirituality to address profound themes like death, conflict, and adolescence.

Toshio Suzuki, the producer of "The Boy and Heron," shared that he congratulated Miyazaki after the award ceremony. According to Japan's national broadcaster NHK, Miyazaki, known for his low-profile and Zen-like demeanor, responded in his usual humble manner.

When Suzuki congratulated Miyazaki, the animator responded with a simple "Congratulations to you too!" before sharing a laugh.

In a follow-up comment, Suzuki mentioned that it was a real challenge to finish the film after working on it for seven years.

Suzuki expressed gratitude for being recognized at his age, noting that both himself and Hayao Miyazaki have aged significantly.

"The Boy and the Heron" producer Toshio Suzuki speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles on March 11, 2024.

"The Boy and the Heron" producer Toshio Suzuki speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles on March 11, 2024.

Japan celebrated another milestone on Sunday with the victory of "Godzilla Minus One" for Best Visual Effects at the Oscars. This marks the first time a movie from the iconic 70-year-old monster franchise has received such esteemed recognition.

Godzilla movies have been a big influence on filmmakers and movie fans for many years, starting with the first Japanese version in 1954.

A lot of the Godzilla movies made since then have focused on themes like environmental disasters and Japan's unique history as the only country to have nuclear weapons used against it.

The crew of the newest Godzilla movie were excited about their victory. Special effects artist Tatsuji Nojima shared a photo on social media platform X showing a Godzilla figurine next to an Oscar statuette.

In his post, he exclaimed, "Oscar, get! Wow," with many exclamation marks.

Takashi Yamazaki, the director of "Godzilla Minus One," shared that his journey started forty years ago when he was amazed by the movies "Star Wars" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

In a recent statement on X, he expressed, "I never imagined I could stand on a Hollywood stage. Receiving this award shows that anyone can have a chance."

More than just awards

Cheering poured in on social media after Sunday’s success, from politicians and the public alike.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida commended Miyazaki for his creative imagination and Yamazaki for his impressive technical skills.

In a statement from his office, Kishida mentioned how their work has connected with people worldwide, surprising and touching them with its universal appeal.

Gov. Hideaki Omura announced that a Ghibli Park in Aichi prefecture will introduce new installations from “The Boy and Heron” starting April 16, as reported by NHK.

Japanese social media users expressed their joy over Godzilla's victory in Hollywood.

“I felt that this was the moment when Godzilla was finally recognized not only in Japan but also in the world,” one person wrote on X.

Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy present the award for Best Animated Feature Film for "The Boy and the Heron" on March 10, 2024.

Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy present the award for Best Animated Feature Film for "The Boy and the Heron" on March 10, 2024.

Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

The award was a much-needed morale boost for Japan, especially after a challenging beginning to the year.

Tragedy struck in the form of a 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, resulting in over 200 fatalities and leaving thousands without homes. The following day, the situation worsened as five aid workers lost their lives in a plane crash en route to the disaster area.

One user on X shared a memory from 2011, when Japan's women's soccer team made history by becoming the first Asian team to win the World Cup shortly after a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the country's northeast coast.

Similarly, the Oscars win is seen as a beacon of hope during difficult times by the same X user. They expressed that this victory is exactly what is needed in the midst of despair.

A nod to Miyazaki’s artistic genius

The award will for sure bear significance for Miyazaki and his fans, too, as critics predict it may be the octogenarian animator’s final movie.

Miyazaki returned to filmmaking after retiring to create a movie about a young boy who relocates to the countryside following the tragic loss of his mother in a hospital fire. Here, he has a special encounter with a mystical grey heron.

The narrative of the film is deeply inspired by Miyazaki's own childhood experiences and delves into profound themes such as grief and hope within a world overshadowed by strife and sorrow.

"The Boy and the Heron"

"The Boy and the Heron"

GKIDS

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The movie 'The Boy and the Heron' premiered in Japan in June and became a global success. It topped the North American box office, earning nearly $13 million in its opening weekend. Surprisingly, the movie achieved this without any publicity campaign.

Kelts, a writer from Japan, mentioned how Miyazaki's second Oscar win highlighted the Academy's acknowledgement of his artistic brilliance and the fact that Japanese animation goes beyond just entertainment.

According to Kelts, who is also a visiting professor at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japanese animation is often more creative, expressive, and explores deeper themes that touch upon the sublime.

“Absolutely worth it and well-deserved – that an artist in his 80s could produce epic and relentlessly energetic work is inspiring,” he said.

CNN’s Heather Chen contributed reporting.

Editor's P/S:

The recent success of Japanese artists and films at the Oscars is a testament to the country's thriving creative industry. Hayao Miyazaki's second Oscar win for "The Boy and Heron" and the first-ever Oscar for the Godzilla franchise mark significant milestones in the recognition of Japanese animation and filmmaking. These accolades not only celebrate the artistry and technical prowess of Japanese creators but also highlight the universal appeal of their stories and characters.

Miyazaki's latest film, inspired by his childhood experiences, explores themes of grief and hope, showcasing the depth and sensitivity of Japanese animation. The success of "Godzilla Minus One" reflects the enduring legacy of the franchise and its ability to resonate with audiences worldwide. These achievements are not only a source of pride for Japan but also a reminder of the power of cinema to transcend cultural boundaries and connect with human emotions., with its exploration of environmental disasters and Japan's unique history, continues to captivate audiences with its messages of resilience and the importance of facing challenges head-on.