When it comes to great animation studios, you can’t get any better than Studio Ghibli, thanks in large part to Hayao Miyazaki’s vision. As a result of Hayao’s numerous classic films, he may have led Studio Ghibli to stardom, which other animation directors haven’t been able to do, even at the same studio.
Of all the animation directors who work at Studio Ghibli, none have created films as iconic as Hayao’s. However, his son, Goro Miyazaki, may be one of the most promising to break free from his father’s shadow. As legendary as his father is as an animation director, Goro Miyazaki still has a long way to go to catch up but first he’ll have to up his game as critics haven’t been happy with his films.
Who Is Goro Miyazaki?
By being the son of such an icon, Goro Miyazaki had big shoes to fill as an animation animator. Whether by choice or birthright, Goro entered the film industry directing various projects for Studio Ghibli. Impressed by these projects, producer Toshio Suzuki eventually sought Goro to adapt Ursula KGuin’s Tales from Earthsea series in his directorial debut.
Sadly, Goro’s directorial debut was shrouded in controversy. Considering that Tales from Earthsea was Goro Miyazaki’s first animated movie, many critics didn’t believe he was the best choice as the film’s animation director as he lacked experience in making movies. As a result of criticism, conflict grew between Goro and Hayao who shared two different visions for the film.
The Turbulent Father-Son Relationship
Eventually, the conflict between Goro and Hayao would lead to publicized disagreements that strengthened the controversy surrounding the film. What’s more, Goro would keep an online journey explaining his issues with Hayao as a father, which was concerning for many who hold the acclaimed animator director on a pedestal.
Although Goro’s online journey shares the good and bad that comes with being an animation director, his entries about his father-son relationship received the most attention. In three blog posts titled, Zero Marks as a Father, Full Marks as a Director, Goro revealed how the strained relationship with his father developed from being more involved with his work than his family.
Critics Prove Hayao Miyazaki Right All Along
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Despite continuing Tale from Earthsea, it seems Hayao Miyazaki was right all along regarding his son’s experience as the film’s animation director as Tales from Earthsea is often considered the worst Studio Ghibli film created. From an inspired script or a nonsensical plot, many critics consider Tales from Earthsea to feel like a parody of a Studio Ghibli film.
Along with Tales from Earthsea, Goro’s latest film Earwig and the Witch would further prove Hayao right, doubting his son as animation director. For many critics, the film feels pointless as there’s barely any plot and no character likability or development. Furthermore, the criticisms about the CGI animation style didn’t feel necessary as it didn’t add to the story in any way.
How Goro Miyazaki Became an Animation Director
Before he became an animation director, Goro’s introduction to animation happened in childhood when he alongside his little brother found sketches of both his parents’ work. Yet surprisingly, Goro didn’t intend to become an animation director as he didn’t feel he could live up to his father’s legacy. So, he would turn to landscape architecture by attending Shinshu University’s School of Agriculture instead.
After graduating, Goro became a construction consultant, planning and designing parks and gardens. His most popular work is the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka where he worked as its director from 2001 to 2005. Even though he found success in animation, Goro still works in landscape architecture by getting involved with the creation of Ghibli park as lead designer and director.
Animation Directors Renew Father-Son Relationship
Still, not everything surrounding Goro’s animation films is doom and gloom. In fact, Goro’s 2011 animated film, From Up on Poppy Hill, shows that Goro was getting better with his craft as he received mostly positive reviews from fans and critics for its likable characters and beautifully designed animations.
As you can see, Goro’s never-ending pursuit to escape from his father’s shadow has been admirable, especially considering the tension that animation created between them. Even though animation split them apart, that and the birth of Goro’s son, helped bring father and son together in the award-winning, block-office hit film The Boy and the Heron.
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