Japanese Animator Hayao Miyazaki Will Put Down His Pen After 11 Feature Films

Hayao Miyazaki is putting down his pen. The Oscar-winning director says his latest film “The Wind Rises” will be his last. Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Wind Rises” is currently in competition at the Venice Film Festival.

Studi Ghibli President Kohu Hoshino announced Hayao Miyazaki’s plans to retire on Sunday. Hoshino declined to take questions and said the press will have to wait for a news conference that will be held in Tokyo next Tuesday. Hosino said “He wants to say goodbye to all of you."

Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most beloved and visionary animation makeers in the world. Miyazaky recently denied any intention to retire.

Koji Hoshino, head of Studio Ghibli said “Miyazaki has decided that “Kaze Tachinu” (The Wind Rises) will be his last film, and he will now retire.”

Hayao Miyazaki was not in attendance in Venice for the international premiere of “The Wind Rises.” The Italian distributor of the film said that Hayao Miyazaki was in Japan for the domestic release.

Hayao Miyazaki began animating in the 1960s. He has been creating hand drawn classics like “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” and the Oscar-winning 2002 animation “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Ponyo.”

“The Winds Rises” takes between the two World Wars. It is an epic animation with an anti-war slant based on the 1938 novelette “Kaze Tachinu” (The Wind Has Risen) by Tatsuo Hori. It traces the career of famed “Zero” fighter designer Jiro Horikoshi, while mixing in a story of tragic love. “The Winds Rises” is Miyazaki’s first feature animation in five years. Miyazaki wrote the screenplay for Studio Ghibli features like “The Secret World of Arrietty” (2010) and “From Up on Poppy Hill” (2011).

At 72 years old, Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most admired and successful directors in animation. In 2003, Miyazaki won an Oscar for his film "Spirited Away." In 2005, Hayao Miyazaki won a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.

"The Wind Rises is an exploration of the man who designed Japan's World War II fighter planes that is filled with wonder and fantasy. It was Miyazaki's 11th feature film.
Hayao Miyazaki gave no reasons for his retirement, deferring to the Tokyo press conference.

In Japan, “Wind” has grossed more than $80 million after 6 weeks in release in Japan.