Renowned Japanese animation filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, was bestowed with the esteemed Ramon Magsaysay Award 2024 as was announced on August 31, 2024. The award is a distinction often regarded as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize. It has been bestowed to him for his significant contributions to environmental protection and the promotion of peace through animation. The award covers various fields, including community service and arts. It is awarded to those who make a positive impact in these areas. The award citation called Miyazaki “one of the industry’s foremost exponents of animated films made expressly for children, but with a much broader appeal”.
Early Life
Hayao Miyazaki was born in Tokyo in 1941. His father was the director of a fighter aeroplane part-manufacturing company during World War II. Miyazaki’s early memories include bombed-out cities and witnessing the bombing of Utsunomiya at age four. He struggled to draw people, but enjoyed drawing planes, ships, and tanks. Miyazaki studied economics and political science before becoming an animator in 1963.
His Works and Achievements
He worked on projects like World Masterpiece Theatre and Future Boy Conan. In 1969, he collaborated with top animators on The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots. Later, he co-founded Studio Ghibli, which became famous for its animated films. Cannes Film Festival had honoured Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli with the first-ever honorary Palme d’Or in May 2024, recognising the studio’s groundbreaking contributions to animation. Miyazaki has been acclaimed for his remarkable anime creations, including timeless classics like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and The Boy and The Heron.
In 1985, Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki established Studio Ghibli under a publishing company, Tokuma Shoten. Although Miyazaki’s initial films, Castle in the Sky (1986) and My Neighbor Totoro (1988), were not commercially successful, the studio gained momentum with Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989). The studio’s most iconic film, Spirited Away (2001) was the first non-English film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. However, Miyazaki refused to attend the ceremony as a protest against the Iraq War. Studio Ghibli is renowned for its beautiful, hand-drawn visuals, which have become a hallmark of the studio’s style, even in the digital age.
Significance of His Works
Through his work, he has always thoughtfully explored complex issues such as environmentalism, the consequences of war, and the delicate balance between nature and technology and ambiguity of good and evil. Although his films appeal to adults on a profound level, they are ultimately created with children in mind, aiming to inspire and resonate with young audiences in a meaningful way.
Steeped heavily in the lives of Japanese after WWII, his work is most obvious in his obsession with planes in the 1992 animated adventure film, Parco Rosso.
Besides, pacifism has been a major theme in his films. According to author Daisuke Akimoto, the film Spirited Away is based on anti-war propaganda, whose fundamental political message is not only anti-fascism but also anti-war pacifism. Similarly, the protagonist tries to end conflict between communities in his film Princess Monovoke. Another major theme of his works was environmentalism. As per The Japan Times, Miyazaki felt very frustrated growing up seeing the nature being destroyed.
As far women characters, Miyazaki’s girls display formidable know-how and independence. They organise households, take on jobs, fight battles, and rescue boys from near death, but there is no show-off of girls’ power. The girl characters have a strong will, good sense of humour, and have layers and nuances, not typically found in children.
He criticised the anime industry for lacking real-life inspiration and has been influenced by leftist ideologies, which has led to criticism from Japanese conservatives.
About the Award
Ramon Magsaysay award is presented to individuals and organisations that have a considerable impact on Asia. Created as a tribute to the Philippines’ former president, Ramon Magsaysay, this award is known for his integrity. It was instituted by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in 1957, and was first awarded in 1958. Till 2008, it was given in six categories—(i) government service; (ii) public service; (iii) community leadership; (iv) peace and international understanding; (v) emergent leadership; and (vi) journalism, literature, and creative communication arts. However, except for emergent leadership, other five categories have been discontinued since 2009.
Each year, the new winners of the award are announced on August 31, which marks the birth anniversary of the Ramon Magsaysay. The award’s medallion and certificate are presented during a formal ceremony held in Manila, Philippines, every November of the same year.
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