Miyazaki was right.

Summary

Hayao Miyazaki, often humorously attributed with saying 'anime was a mistake,' critiques the modern anime industry for its lack of realism and emotional depth. While his films mix fantasy with grounded, complex characters, contemporary anime often follows formulaic genres like shonen and isekai. Miyazaki’s work stands out for its exploration of moral ambiguity and human emotion, with characters who reflect real-life complexities. Despite technological and production advancements in anime, Miyazaki laments the industry's shift away from introspective storytelling, suggesting that much of today's anime lacks the nuanced portrayal of life found in his films.

Takeaways

• 😀 The quote 'anime was a mistake' is falsely attributed to Hayao Miyazaki and is often used humorously because he is a renowned anime director.
• 😀 While Miyazaki never said 'anime was a mistake,' he has expressed disappointment with the industry, particularly how anime lacks real human observation.
• 😀 Miyazaki criticizes anime for being produced by people who avoid portraying real human emotions, leading to a heavy presence of otaku culture in the industry.
• 😀 The appeal of anime is its fantasy nature, but the genre's characters are often disconnected from reality, which contrasts with Miyazaki's grounded approach to storytelling.
• 😀 Miyazaki's films include fantastical elements, but his characters' emotional depth and nuances are drawn from real-life human experiences.
• 😀 In 'Princess Mononoke,' the character Lady Eboshi illustrates moral ambiguity, where her harmful actions to protect industry clash with her role as a provider for marginalized groups.
• 😀 Miyazaki’s films are known for moral ambiguity, where there are no clear-cut heroes or villains, and life’s complexities are reflected in his characters.
• 😀 Many modern anime series have become formulaic, often relying on recycled storylines like shonen or isekai genres, which tend to lack originality.
• 😀 Despite the rise in production value in the anime industry, the push for escapism has made anime less reflective of real-life struggles and more focused on fantasy.
• 😀 Miyazaki’s works continue to stand out for their layered storytelling, reflecting the complexity of life, and remain timeless despite the evolution of the anime industry.

Q & A

What is the origin of the quote 'anime was a mistake'?

The quote 'anime was a mistake' is often falsely attributed to legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki. It is humorously associated with him because he makes anime, but Miyazaki never actually said these exact words.

Why is the quote 'anime was a mistake' associated with Miyazaki?

The quote is connected to Miyazaki due to the ironic nature of its meaning. While Miyazaki has expressed disappointment in the anime industry, he never made this exact statement. The association is more for comedic effect, as Miyazaki is a prominent figure in the anime world.

What does Miyazaki actually think about anime?

Miyazaki does not believe that anime itself is a mistake. However, he has expressed disappointment in the industry, especially regarding how it often lacks a real-life basis and tends to be produced by people disconnected from observing real human interactions.

How does Miyazaki view the portrayal of women in anime?

Miyazaki has criticized the way women are typically drawn in anime. He believes that the industry tends to depict women unrealistically, without taking inspiration from real human experiences. This is part of a larger critique of how anime often fails to reflect the subtleties of real life.

What sets Miyazaki's films apart from typical anime?

Miyazaki's films are unique because, although they are set in fantastical worlds, the characters are grounded in reality. He focuses on creating nuanced, complex characters that reflect real human emotions, unlike many contemporary anime that lean toward simplistic portrayals.

What is the significance of the character Lady Eboshi in 'Princess Mononoke'?

Lady Eboshi is a key character in 'Princess Mononoke' who embodies moral ambiguity. Initially viewed as a villain for destroying the forest, she is also seen as a liberator of women and a caretaker of the terminally ill. Her character challenges viewers to reflect on complex human motivations.

Why does Miyazaki’s work often feature moral ambiguity?

Miyazaki’s work explores moral ambiguity because he believes that real life is rarely black and white. His stories reflect the complexities of human choices, where characters can be both good and bad, making the audience question what is truly right or wrong.

What does the script suggest about the current state of the anime industry?

The script suggests that while the production value and output of anime have greatly increased in recent years, originality seems to have declined. Many anime today follow predictable and one-dimensional formulas, such as those seen in popular genres like Shonen or Isekai, rather than offering fresh, thought-provoking narratives.

Why does the script mention that current anime lacks the same impact as Miyazaki's films?

The script highlights that while contemporary anime may be enjoyable, it often lacks the depth and nuance found in Miyazaki’s films. Unlike Miyazaki’s works, which provoke reflection on real-life issues, much of today's anime is designed as an escape from reality, offering little in terms of introspection.

Does Miyazaki’s criticism of the anime industry apply to all anime?

No, Miyazaki’s criticism is a generalization. While most anime today may lack real-life grounding, there are still exceptions. However, Miyazaki’s point stands in that many popular works in the industry are driven by formulas that don’t necessarily reflect the complexities of real life.