The Touching and Unforgettable Reason Hayao Miyazaki's Son Can't Resist Watching His Movies

Highlights

Hayao Miyazaki's films are known for their unique storytelling, deep themes, and stunning animation, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Miyazaki's films defy traditional stereotypes by featuring strong, independent young female heroes and questioning notions of good versus evil. Goro Miyazaki, Hayao's son, seeks a deeper understanding of his father by immersing himself in his movies. Their complex relationship and Hayao's distant fatherly presence have fueled Goro's curiosity to uncover more.

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We have covered a considerable range of articles on Hayao Miyazaki and his remarkable films. Our collection comprises thought-provoking analyses of his artistic contributions and their significance to us. With great eagerness, we await his potentially final cinematic masterpiece, The Boy and the Heron. Surprisingly though, there exists an individual who finds little joy in Miyazaki's films, experiencing a profound personal tragedy that shadows their viewing experience. Who is this person, and what are the reasons behind such heartrending circumstances? Let us delve into this poignant topic.

Many individuals are drawn to Hayao Miyazaki's films due to his distinctive storytelling. His narratives often include fantastical elements, profound philosophical themes, and ethical teachings. Addressing intricate topics such as environmentalism, war, and the complexities of human connections, these movies manage to both entertain and provoke thought. Furthermore, Miyazaki's films are renowned for their breathtaking animation and meticulous attention to detail, creating visually captivating worlds.

The characters he creates are complex and relatable, embodying both strengths and vulnerabilities. His movies often challenge traditional conventions, featuring empowering young female protagonists and blurring the line between good and evil. Another allure is the enchanting soundtracks, typically composed by Joe Hisaishi, which accompany the films.

These combined elements create a captivating and immersive cinematic experience, establishing Miyazaki's films as timeless classics enjoyed by audiences worldwide. However, there is one individual who watches Miyazaki's films for entirely different motives than those aforementioned.

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Goro Miyazaki, the son of renowned filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, was born on January 21, 1967. Initially trained in landscape architecture, Goro's background heavily influenced his approach to the world of film and animation. Despite the overwhelming influence of his father's legacy in animation, Goro ventured into the film industry and directed several projects for Studio Ghibli.

Impressed by Goro's previous works, producer Toshio Suzuki entrusted him with his directorial debut, Tales from Earthsea, an adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin's popular Earthsea series. This decision sparked controversy as Goro had limited experience in animation, and there were publicized disagreements between him and his father regarding the film's direction. Interestingly, during the production of Tales from Earthsea, Goro maintained an online diary where he made a surprising revelation that may have shocked fans of his acclaimed father.

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The two men couldn't even be considered acquaintances, let alone speak to each other. When asked about their professional relationship, Goro responded by recounting a particular incident:

I haven't had a single conversation with him. Last August, before actual production began, Producer Suzuki instructed me to say a few words to mark the start of "Ged". So, I said "I will do my best" and added, "Once this is all over, I hope to return to the Ghibli Museum." It was simply to ease everyone's tension. However, when my father heard this, he called me in and exclaimed, "Are you not committed enough? Don't create an escape route for yourself from the very beginning!" We ended up having a heated argument, and that was the last time we spoke to each other. Now, when we come across each other at work, we both silently step aside. (laughs)

While the interview only touched on these points, there was additional information available for online readers. Perhaps due to it being his debut film or simply a personal preference, Goro maintained an online journal chronicling the production of Tales from Earthsea. Fortunately, for English-speaking fans, Nausicaa.net kindly translated the entire blog for those interested in reading it. The majority of entries featured Goro discussing his filmmaking decisions, the challenges of learning from renowned colleagues, and even his distant relationship with his father Hayao.

Towards the end of the production, Goro did something uncharacteristic of Japanese society and his own personality: he openly addressed some of his family issues in his journal. In a three-part blog series named "Zero Marks as a Father, Full Marks as a Director," he candidly discusses his strained relationship with his father. Initially, he delves into his gloomy childhood, which paints a rather somber picture.

Hayao Miyazaki, in my perspective, excels as a director but falls short as a father. Growing up, my father was rarely present at home, leaving my mother to take on the role of both parents. He would come home in the middle of the night, long after I had already gone to bed, displaying a strong commitment to this routine. However, on most Saturdays and Sundays, he would still be at work.

As a result, I had very few opportunities to communicate with him throughout my childhood and even now. By the time he returned home, I would already be fast asleep, and when I left for school at 8 o'clock, he would still be in bed. To address this, during my elementary school years, I developed a habit of peering into his bedroom before heading to school, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. My father's dedication to his work was all-encompassing, prioritizing it over taking care of his children or contributing to household chores. Hence, my mother shouldered the responsibilities of both parenting and maintaining our home.

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Furthermore, he elaborates that his mother, who took immense pride in her work as an animator, was compelled to abandon her career when she gave birth to their second child. From then on, she dedicated her days to taking care of their children while her husband went off to work. Paradoxically, she held even greater opposition towards Goro pursuing a career as an animator compared to Hayao. In his third post, Goro delves even deeper and unveils the dismal reason behind his penchant for watching his father's films:

I cannot recall the exact timeframe, but for as long as I can remember, my father seemed to be frequently absent. I say this with the understanding that, just like my adoration for my mother, I cherished my father as well. As a child, I longed for his attentiveness, for his presence in my life, and for moments of playtime together. Sadly, these opportunities were exceedingly rare. It was during my years in junior high school and high school, when I began to comprehend the importance of knowing my own father better and pondered about his thoughts, that he was consistently absent from my life.

We rarely met, and since we never spoke much, we struggled to find things to say to each other. That's how our relationship was. During my high school days, I was a fan of anime such as "Urusei Yatsura", "Mobile Battlesuit Gundam", and "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross". However, my perspective on these works and the ones my father created were naturally different.

The more I admired my father's films, the more I watched them in an attempt to understand him. From my earliest memories, I have been enjoying Hayao Miyazaki's works while simultaneously trying to dissect my father's intentions. While Hayao Miyazaki falls short as a father in my eyes, he excels as a director of animated films.

This is the heart-wrenching reality of Hayao's paternal neglect: His son Goro was so unfamiliar with his father that he resorted to watching his films in order to comprehend him better. Goro perceived his father as unapproachable, constantly absent, and completely disengaged from his life. Instead of getting to know his dad through a natural bond, he relied on his father's movies to gain insight into his character. To the average viewer, My Neighbor Totoro is a delightful children's film that captures the essence of innocence. However, for Goro, it serves as a means to understand his father's emotions towards his grandmother and her illness. Furthermore, it appears that Hayao himself harbors regrets regarding his shortcomings as a father. Following the completion of Tales of Earthsea, he directed Ponyo. While this film may be Hayao's own adaptation of The Little Mermaid, it is worth mentioning that the family depicted in the movie bears a striking resemblance to his own.

Sasuke, the boy in Ponyo, is believed to have been based on Goro when he was younger. Due to his father's busy life as a sailor, Sasuke's father is mostly absent, leaving his mother to take care of him alone. While Sasuke still loves his father, he witnesses the pain his absence causes his mother. Hayao Miyazaki, the creator of Ponyo, went through a period of self-reflection before making his own son the inspiration for Sasuke. This movie provides Goro with a new perspective on his father that he can learn from.

This is ultimately a sorrowful story, which is not uncommon in the animation industry in Japan, although it is not often discussed publicly. If this tale evokes sadness in you, remember to reach out to your father and express your appreciation for him.