Celebrating Hayao Miyazaki: A New Documentary on His Creative Journey with Studio Ghibli

A new documentary centered on Studio Ghibli is set to debut on Netflix very soon, appealing to fans of anime and the renowned Hayao Miyazaki. Netflix continues expanding its Studio Ghibli offerings with the addition of a documentary about Hayao Miyazaki, scheduled for December 6. This film, titled Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron, chronicles the legendary director's extensive journey in creating The Boy and the Heron, an animated feature that ultimately earned him a second Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

The concise description available on Netflix states that animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki confronts themes of mortality and creativity during his seven-year quest to make The Boy and the Heron. However, viewers in the US may not have access, as the documentary is currently streaming on the Max platform.

The connection between Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki is profound, with the director being pivotal in producing and scripting numerous classic films for the studio, including titles like My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. He also wrote scripts for Arietty and From Up on Poppy Hill, the latter being helmed by his son Goro Miyazaki.

During a discussion at the Ghibli museum earlier this year, Goro mentioned that his father is not finished with filmmaking and may be in the process of crafting another project. "I don'I’m unsure whether it will genuinely serve as his next film, but it looks like it could be an action-adventure type of film, reminiscent of the past," Goro Miyazaki indicated, which has led to speculation about a possible sequel to 1984's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

Regardless of whether The Boy and the Heron marks Miyazaki's last cinematic endeavor or not, fans can find comfort in knowing that most of Studio Ghibli's extensive catalog is accessible to subscribers in regions outside of the US and Japan. Among these titles, the notably emotional feature Grave of the Fireflies was released earlier this year.

For additional recommendations, explore our selections for the finest anime to enjoy at present and the exciting new series anticipated for late 2024 and beyond.