My Creative Hero: Hayao Miyazaki

Omar> Hayao Miyazaki.

Omar> My first memory of Miyazaki's work is watching 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.' It aired on national TV, strangely enough, during Easter time when I was around 8 or 9 years old in Peru. I vividly remember watching it with commercials, turning it into nearly a three-hour experience. This film introduced me to a completely different style of animation and character design that was unlike anything I had seen before. It looked distinctively different from the other cartoons or animated movies I was accustomed to. Sometimes, older cousins or brothers would watch it with me, which made me feel more grown up, though I sensed there were deeper layers to the story that escaped my understanding at the time. And of course, the film's themes, such as environmentalism, war, and humanity's relationship with nature, demanded a certain level of maturity to fully appreciate.

Omar> After watching the first film, I didn't pay much attention to who the author was. However, years later, as a teenager, my friends and I went to the VHS store to rent a movie (yes, I'm that old) and stumbled upon 'Princess Mononoke.' Initially, we debated whether animated films were too childish for us, but we decided to give it a chance. The movie's universe and plot were incredibly captivating, prompting me to learn more about its creator, and inspired me to sketch and draw my own characters. I scoured video stores in search of more of Hayao Miyazaki's previous works, though it was challenging back then. Eventually, I managed to discover one or two additional titles. At that time, the information on the internet wasn't that accessible or abundant, so finding information about the creator of these films was difficult; all I knew was that he was Japanese. Only after 'Spirited Away' won the Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscar, information about him became readily accessible online, as critics and movie aficionados increasingly discussed his work, making it easier to find with a simple Google search. 

Omar> I'm impressed by a few things, like Miyazaki's meticulous attention to craftsmanship evident in his world-building. He creates fantastical worlds filled with intricate detail and uniqueness, blending folklore with elements of reality. These culturally rich and diverse worlds feel authentic and timeless, operating under clear rules that fit their universes yet also carry a sense of strange familiarity, making them accessible for viewers to connect with.

Moreover, he is fantastic at crafting deep, evolving journeys for seemingly innocent or youthful characters—a complexity that is challenging to achieve in animated films. Each of his works explores profound themes beyond the main character's personal growth, often viewed through the eyes of a young protagonist.

Omar> As a creative, whether we're making a '60s film or an on-ground activation, we define the emotions we want our audience to feel or the key takeaways they should have. We are the world builders, shaping the narrative in our own way. Miyazaki's work demonstrates that inspiration can come from anywhere; you can blend different elements and create your own rules for the experience, as long as you allow the audience to engage with those principles. In theatre, there is a term called the suspension of disbelief—the audience's acceptance of the fictional world presented on stage. This world must be fascinating yet understandable. It doesn't have to be real; it must be plausible and believable for your audience. Miyazaki's work inspires me to push the boundaries of my creative thinking to new and innovative lengths, but not to absurd extremes, as absurdity lacks coherence. Miyazaki's creations are grounded and meaningful; you can follow his worlds—they're not absurd. This resonates with my approach in advertising, where clarity and coherence are essential, while still allowing for craziness and fun.

Another inspiring aspect is seeing Miyazaki's ideas evolve. When you visit exhibitions of his work, you can appreciate the iterations and the evolution of each character design—the refinement of craftsmanship to precisely capture their intended personality or symbolism. I highly recommend taking a look; it's something we should apply to our own work.

Omar> I've revisited several films, but 'Spirited Away' stands out as the most fascinating for continued analysis. Its multiple layers touch on themes of capitalism, the work culture, loneliness, and identity, offering new insights with each viewing. The craftsmanship is equally impressive, with every frame meticulously hand-drawn, sometimes taking hours to complete just one second of animation.