Whether it’s the comfort you seek in fictional worlds or something profound to question the state of things, any Studio Ghibli classic will satiate your desire for both. The way in which Hayao Miyazaki balances realism and romanticism in his works has resonated with many fans. In recent times, news about the worsening state of the animation industry and the awful work conditions has become commonplace.
While many popular animation studios have been roped into the fire of similar controversies, Studio Ghibli has maintained a safe distance from the entire ordeal. Ghibli movies have a unique appeal that sets them apart from most modern anime.
Miyazaki’s own experiences during his early days in the industry seemingly play a huge role in the way Studio Ghibli is known to operate. Here’s how Miyazaki reached his current status with his celebrated anime studio.
Hayao Miyazaki’s Life Before Studio Ghibli
As a young animator, Hayao Miyazaki started his journey with a project titled Doggie March at Toei. Toei Animation is among the few animation studios to have a labor union. The efforts of the union significantly improved the pay standards by the time Miyazaki joined the studios.
While the pay was decent, his experience during his time there wasn’t exactly positive, the workload and working overtime were part of the reasons.
I frankly didn’t enjoy my job at all
He shared these sentiments in his book, Starting Point: 1979-1996. He also shared that he felt clueless about the projects he was working on.
I felt ill at ease every day — I couldn’t understand the works we were producing, or even the proposals we were working on.
Before starting his own animation studio, Miyazaki garnered a wide range of experience in the industry as a mangaka, key animator, and a director. At Toei, he actively worked with the Union to advocate for better working conditions and their efforts paid off.
Even after leaving Toei, Miyazaki has been vocal about the state of the industry. He has many opinions on the sudden boom in the popularity of the medium and the quality of recent shows.
Studio Ghibli is among the few animation studios that pays relatively better wages to its employees. Being a part of the larger ecosystem, Studio Ghibli’s work culture is far from ideal. Yet, it’s way better than some of the other popular studios like Studio Mappa that’s famous for its challenging working conditions.
Miyazaki Redefined Anime with his Directorial Vision
Ghibli movies are often compared to Disney movies, but the appeal of the former is quite distinct. Miyazaki’s vision blends the ordinary and mundane with darker themes such as war or something more profound like self-discovery. The art style and music convey a sense of comfort. Yet there are many layers laden with rich symbolism about life and its numerous aspects.
Watching a Ghibli movie is a unique experience that many fans find solace in. Compared to the present state of the anime watching experience that relies on fan service and other elements for the purpose of shock value, Ghibli movies provide a surreal experience which is unlike any other form of fiction. It’s Miyazaki’s own experience over the years and the dedication and values imbibed by those working under him at Studio Ghibli.
Most Ghibli Movies are available to stream on Netflix.
