By Summer Crawford

Staff Writer

 Over 150 countries. One world. One movie director. Japanese director, animator and illustrator Hayao Miyazaki may be from one country, but he has made a colossal cultural impact on several countries through his original and imaginative animated movies.

Miyazaki’s career of producing and directing movies has spanned over five decades, amounting to over 20 animated movies. His career began in 1963, and he has made a name for himself through not only directing his own movies but also drawing and animating scenes. This legendary Japanese director’s life in the movie business officially ended with his latest film, The Wind Rises in 2013. His movies are commonly compared to Walt Disney’s films.

Although Miyazaki was born in Japan and the movies were produced in Japan, people from all over the world have been able to enjoy his work and imagination. Students at Coppell High School discovered his movies during their childhood and have passionately and loyally followed his work throughout the 21st century.

“American movies made for kids typically have happy yet totally unrealistic endings that show how life will always turn out okay. While I’m all for that idea, it’s refreshing to watch Miyazaki’s movies where it’s a little bit darker, a little bit more enigmatic and does not show a clear divide between good and evil,” junior Emily Friis-Hansen said. “Miyazaki has developed such a unique, distinctive animation style that sets his films apart of the rest in their simple beauty. It’s also through this style that he really emphasizes nature in his films, as it is not just the characters but the sky, the forest, and the rivers that tell the story as well.”

Friis-Hansen is not of Asian background, but she took a liking to Miyazaki’s animated movies. She has met several new friends that she was able to bond with over Miyazaki’s movies, helping her reach out to others to discuss her level of passion for each and every movie.

Juniors Friis-Hansen, Lei Mashimo, Sol Lee and Lindsey Maeshima all share a bond because of two things: Miyazaki and his creative mind. All of them have been devotedly watching his movies since childhood, for over 10 years. Certain aspects of the movies have caught their eyes since his first production, The Castle of Cagliostro in 1979.

“Watching his movies, I got a glimpse of Japanese culture, but only a few of his movies have a setting in Japan. I love how everything makes sense and is revealed at the end, and if you watch it for the first time, you wouldn’t see it coming,” Lee said. “I haven’t watched many anime movies, since I usually watch series more, but Miyazaki’s work would completely absorb my attention, which is something different, since my attention does not stay on one thing for a long time. After watching his movies, I see things in a different light.”

The plot and characters has proven to be captivating and many would agree that they share a beauty unlike anything else. Characters are not the same as the typical Disney characters, and each storyline seems to come from a dream. One can be about a pilot who fought in a war (Porco Rosso) to a story about a girl who met a wizard who took away the dullness of her everyday life (Howl’s Moving Castle).

“His movies aren’t some child’s story with a simple plot, a lot of times they have deep feelings and symbolism behind the characters, some even touching on societal concerns. They aren’t about a common girl falling in love with a prince that they had just met, but they’re about intriguing plots and ideas that can only come in our dreams, but are crafted in the most brilliant of ways into a film that will stay with you,” Maeshima said. “His characters are also of equal quality, because you watch them develop and you really do love them with a great attachment by the end of the film.”

Both people with a Japanese origin and people from other backgrounds can watch these films and walk away with a new perspective. These films give glimpse of the Japanese culture, and it is something that viewers have been able to see.

“His movies have affected us because they are what we bond over and what my sister and I grew up with. They also give me a sense of pride in being Japanese,” Mashimo said. “Miyazaki’s movies have shaped my perspective on life and I’m glad that I was able to grow up with them. I am sad that he is retiring, but I am thankful for his movies.”

Friis-Hansen has taken away a different meaning about Japanese culture from Miyazaki’s work. For her, it is about society and the humor that arises with it.

“Even though many of his movies are not set in Japan, but in fictional worlds not on this Earth, my interest in his movies led to my fascination about Japanese films and by extension, Japanese culture itself. Their culture is so incredibly different from ours and it really shows in Miyazaki’s films regarding societal roles, humor and historical impacts,” Friis-Hansen said. “When I think of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, I think of home. I grew up alongside them and will always be thankful that I was able to experience the joy of his stories in my lifetime.”

People of all ages, both young and old, have been watching Miyazaki’s famous plotlines for as long as they can remember. Some students at Coppell Middle School West have been watching these movies just like the high school students.

“His movies are different from other anime movies because they are more focused on an intricate plotline rather than the action, which is what most anime focus on.  I learned about social harmony which is important in Japanese culture. It also gives insight to what the Japanese government used to be like,” CMSW eighth grader Maurya Alturi said. “His movies have impacted me by making me like anime more and gave me an insight into Japanese history and culture.”

Their profound cultural impact will continue to affect people of all ethnicities, and help to create a connection between Japan and the rest of the world. To sum up Miyazaki, some would say he and his work were “perpetually brilliant.” Their beauty and unusual ideas will live on, even in the end of their creator’s work.