It would be a gross understatement to call Hayao Miyazaki a visionary, considering his impact on the Japanese animation industry. His methods, opinions, and ideals have revolutionized both storytelling and filmmaking. This stands true for the upcoming artists as well as filmmakers.
In terms of storytelling, Miyazaki gave us a mix of grappling, compelling yet comforting films that often challenged our notions. Be it The Wind Rises or My Neighbor Totoro, there’s a pristine element attached to these works. But in the recent “trends”, the pristineness is reduced to shallowness.
By now, we all know how AI is butchering Miyazaki’s finesse and his works. What we consider art is reduced to a social media trend for the worse. It is an insult to life, art, and labor, but Ghibli isn’t the one to back down. Its recent win is a huge clapback at theft as well as unethical practices.
Studio Ghibli’s big win against the AI fiasco
In an age where animation studios tussle with each other for accolades, Studio Ghibli stands out in its authenticity and storytelling. The humans and their ever-present conflict and resolution with nature is a parallel that runs within most films.
Then comes the mystical forces that are sure to transport you into a wonderland of all sorts. It is interesting how Miyazaki meshes folklore, legends, and symbols into the stories. The magic and mystery are all so alluring, charming, and awe-inspiring that they resonate with our inner child.
This mostly has to do with the films being complete works of art. The music, the characters, and the plot are key to a good story. But what makes it so unique and special is the ability to wring out complex emotions. It transports you to unseen places through imagination and vividness.
When Robin Williams said, “Poetry, beauty, romance, love—these are what we stay alive for,” he was hinting at art and its innate ability to heal people. Its ability to inspire and move hearts is something artificial intelligence fails at doing. The recent AI trend is one such example, but Ghibli didn’t back down.
Indeed, it is overwhelming to witness an artist’s work being circulated and thrown around like that. The recent fiasco of AI “art” has everyone throwing brickbats at the app founder. But most of all it concerns Miyazaki’s works that are reduced to an aesthetic and shallow social media trend.
However, Princess Mononoke’s re-release is a retort in itself. It is a reminder to trend enthusiasts that artists matter. That art is a fruit of labor and emotions and does not exist to be frittered away for social validation. This is something that Miyazaki proved as an auteur, artist, and inspirer.
Hayao Miyazaki: The artist, the auteur and the aspirer
Hayao Miyazaki is often called an auteur by many of his contemporaries but what does sit mean exactly? Well, an auteur is an artist with an offbeat approach to the art. So much so that they become an author of every sort of their work.
It seemingly fits well with Miyazaki and his works, be it Princess Mononoke or Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. But more than an auteur, he is an artist, a storyteller, and an aspirer of all sorts. His works have catalyzed a generation of animators who stay true to traditions as well as art.
As a storyteller, he wrote women as powerful, strong, and legendary beings. They are opinionated and bold and exercise their agency, be it as warriors or witches. This is also the reason why Ghibli is celebrated as a cult phenomenon. It isn’t merely a studio but an emotion that neither AI can replicate or create.
Princess Mononoke is available for streaming on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
