Sunday, August 23, 2009

Hayao Miyazaki’s Anime


Walt Disney has just released the English version of Ponyo, the latest animated movie by Japanese anime guru Hayao Miyazaki. The original Japanese version of the movie (崖の上のポニョ) was released in the Land of the Rising Sun last year.

I am a fan of Hayao Miyazaki. His works, such as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し,), are highly acclaimed in Asia. Somehow he has not been very successful in the American market. So far, the reviews of Ponyo by American movie critics have been mixed. Like all his earlier works, the pictures of Ponyo are hand-drawn, and 2-dimensional. In the era of computer-generated, 3D cartoons such as Shrek and Ice Age, Miyazaki’s anime seem to be too old-fashion, and decidedly simple.

But it is exactly because of the simplicity that I like Miyazaki’s works. If I want a 3D experience, I might as well watch a movie played by real actors/actresses!

I am running short of words to describe Miyazaki’s works, so I will quote those of Richard Corliss, Time Magazine’s writer: His films proceed at a dream walker’s pace. They are not dialogue-heavy; they’re image-buoyant.

Yes, they are image-buoyant, if you are observant enough. The anime master has always had an eye for details. For the reasons just described, I believe his films are more for adults.

Have you watched Hayao Miyazaki’s films? How do you find them?

17 comments:

  1. Although I dislike those normal animes, but I have to agree that 千と千尋 is really good. The story is very moving...

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  2. This Movie is not bad.. but it it not the best animation from Hayao Miyazaki.

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  3. I like Spirited Away...

    p/s: Due to certain reasons, I have privatized my blog for the time being. It would be my pleasure to still have you over sometimes, so if you are interested, please send me the address where I can send you the invitation to tt.in.reality@gmail.com. Thank you for your continuous support! :D

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  4. I love 2-d anime too. To be honest...I think 2D is much better than 3D. The most important part is the story right? :)

    I love spirited away too. I watched it at least 5 times I guess. Touching story.

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  5. I never got the chance to watch any of these animes. I should!

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  6. kyh
    Yeah, I definitely like Spirited Away.

    少俊
    Oh... I haven't watched this film yet.

    day-dreamer
    I suggest you move your private stuff to Facabook, and keep your blog opened.

    tekkaus
    Some of Miyazaki's films, such as Spirited Away, are more for adults.

    Zhu
    If the cinemas in Canada don't show Asian anime, try to get DVD.

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  7. An eye for detail, which explains why Disney is willing to release an English version because Disney's cartoons have a certain standard when it comes to details.

    I'm with you regarding watching movies with human characters instead of watching 3D animes. Animes work best in 2D (IMO) as a reminder that they are, well... animes.

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  8. I love Hayao Miyazaki's movies. Especially Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away!

    Even bought his 15 movies in a set DVD. Still have not watched all of them! : )

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  9. Actually this is the first time I heard of Miyazaki. I heard of the movie Spirited Away before but I didn't watch it. It sounded like a ghost movie. LOL. But thanks for enlightening me. :)

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  10. 還沒有看這部動畫片
    其實很想看啊

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  11. Happysurfer
    Miyazaki's films are actually quite different from the Disney's in-house cartoons.

    foongpc
    I bought his set of movies some years ago, but they are in CD.

    Witch
    Spirited Away is not a horror movie, so no worry.

    龍貓
    買DVD看吧。現在戲院不安全。

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  12. Haven't watched it yet. Nice ah? :)

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  13. Most animated pictures look nice, we really are spoilt for choice....

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  14. Neo
    I also haven't watched Ponyo yet, but I like Spirited Away.

    Grass
    I only like some of them, haha...

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  15. Yet to watch them.

    But I like the Ponyo theme song.

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  16. i hope to collect the complete set of anime soon ~ ^_^

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  17. Shingo
    Ah... I must listen to the theme song too.

    迷迭香
    Yeah, go get it.

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