Miyazaki's Animation: Gifts for the Art Major in Us All
First let me say that I have dedicated this site to my daughter. She is the one that first discovered Miyazaki and his wonderful drawings and animation.
To know that someone would dedicate so much of their own time and bring a story to life one frame at a time. I still like the old cartoons here in the states for that same reason. I still find it amazing that someone would still do this. I recently saw a special on modern cartoons. They were talking about having it computer generated. And somehow that is just not the same. I do agree that somethings can go faster with machines and computers. But animation, like this, is not one of them.
My daughter also informed me that this gentleman and artist will be retiring soon. Knowing what he has done this far he more than deserves this. Knowing what he has done even I, the non-artist that I am will miss what he does.
There are many of his movies that could hold the # 1 spot. But in my mind or should I say at the top of my list is Spirited Away. I have to be honest for me I don't believe in where this move is set. Sort of an afterlife scenario. The story and animation far outweigh my one disagreement.
That's right world I am actually saying I like this move. Just watching the animation and how the pictures flow together. Seeing how the story line works together to bring everything from beginning to end. I sometimes wonder if it took longer to write this story or to animate it.
Watching the young girl as she grows up over a short period of time. Not so much because she has to but because she wants to. Seeing what she is willing to go through to help not only her and her parents but so many others. That's right its the one person can make a difference. In in the move one person or one little girl is willing to reach out and help others. At some points there are those that wonder why. But in the end they understand. She is willing to help out not just herself and her family but all those that are around here.
Its the willingness to help others that moves Spirited Away to the top of my list. Yes that's the list of Miyazaki movies.
And a final note on Miyazaki's movies – The voice overs. For us its fun to see if we can identify the voice actors that are doing the English voices. This is true for all his animated work not just Spirited Away.
Spirited Away - The Trailer
Here are some others that my daughter has added to her collection
My Neighbor Totoro - The trailer
The trailer of Ponyo
And last but not lease the trailer of From Up on Poppy Hill
