Could Another Ghibli Classic Be On The Horizon? Miyazaki Is Reportedly Still Working On Projects

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Hayao Miyazaki has retired multiple times, more often than the average person switches jobs. However, he just can’t seem to stop being creative and imaginative.

Ever since the anime icon initially announced his retirement in 1997 following the premiere of Princess Mononoke, he has made a similar promise on at least three occasions. And every time, he has returned – appearing refreshed and eager to share more tales. Now, at the age of 84, with an additional Academy Award added to his collection for The Boy and the Heron, Miyazaki is reportedly working once again.

Yes, again.

The Impossible Farewell

Miyazaki’s last movie, titled “The Boy and the Hero“, was seen by many as a heartfelt goodbye, a culmination of his artistic journey and legacy. This film notably explored his intricate bond with his son and the challenges that come with being a visionary. It won him another Oscar for Best Animated Feature, but responses were divided. Some found the plot hard to grasp, others found it excessively emotional, yet most sensed it as a sign of conclusion.

So why is he returning again?

Because, as Miyazaki himself once admitted,

“I find it pointless sitting in my house not working.”

It’s tough not to appreciate that relentless energy, despite the fact that fans are constantly caught in the tension between the anticipation of a concluding work and the excitement for another journey.

The Artist Who Won’t Sit Still

Junichi Nishioka of Studio Ghibli mentioned that he constantly ponders over this fresh project during each passing day,” was said at the Toronto International Film Festival in May 2024.

“I can no longer stop him… I’m no longer trying to dissuade him, even if it might be a bad film. In life, only work enchants him.”

The combination of tenacity and fiery imagination has always been a hallmark of Miyazaki. However, as his son Goro Miyazaki disclosed at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka during the “How Do You Live?” exhibition preview, the older Miyazaki initially focused on creating panorama boxes based on previous works – that is, until he grew tired of it.

“I suggested he create something new,” Goro said. “And that’s what he’s working on now. Whether it will actually become his next film, I don’t know. But it’s a nostalgic action-adventure story, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Nostalgic? For Ghibli fans, that single word is enough to send hearts fluttering.

What Could Be Next?

Studio Ghibli’s films have consistently provided a haven for dreamers – young and old, ardent anime enthusiasts, as well as those who initially doubted the charm of cartoons. They tap into the innate sense of wonder that dwells within us all, and Miyazaki’s unique touch is evident in their intricate elegance.

If this new project truly embodies nostalgia, it could reflect the very aspects that have kept Studio Ghibli enduring through time.

Miyazaki frequently explores similar themes, which often mirror aspects of his personal life. To guess what his next film might be about, it’s less about the plot and more about getting to know Miyazaki – the imaginative artist who continues to sketch daily even in his eighties. Therefore, we will also incorporate some of his quotes when making our predictions.

He’s often expressed the importance of re-establishing connections with things that have been misplaced, such as the beauty of untamed nature, ancient customs we’ve let slip away, and the awe-inspiring aspects of our daily routines.

“There’s no future for people who worship the future and forget the past,”

he once warned.

Some possibilities feel inevitable:

    Nature and its preservation:
    Films like Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, and Ponyo show a reverence for the natural world and a warning about its destruction. Miyazaki has famously said, “I’d like more of the world to go back to being wild.”
    Childlike wonder and introspection:
    Miyazaki’s work consistently explores how children experience the world – both its terrors and its magic. “I would like to make a film to tell children it’s good to be alive, even if the message is bittersweet, there’s childlike wonder to it. So even with violence, there’s beauty.”
    The “fantastical” even in the ordinary – But also the “ordinary” in the fantastical:
    Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or traveling on a train, Ghibli excels at turning everyday moments into rituals of beauty and serenity. If the movie is set in a fantasy setting, it often features some sort of ritual that can be translated from real life and showcases the “quiet moments” of the worlds setting. Even in real world-inspired settings, there’s always elements that hint at a bigger picture of magical moments, even if those are interpretive of something, like the flashback scenes in When Marnie Was There.
    Flying scenes and aircrafts:
    Miyazakis movies have often featured flight. From Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind to Porco Rosso and The Wind Rises, the sky is a recurring space of freedom, danger, and reflection. Miyazaki’s family once manufactured airplane parts for the Japanese military, and his lifelong fascination with aviation often translates into poetic, sweeping scenes of airships and gliders.

In a different perspective, one might say that the movie can be situated in an era from the past, much like many Studio Ghibli productions. The scenes that were once modern in “From Up on Poppy Hill” and “The Wind Rises” now seem old-fashioned, which could infuse the film with a natural sense of longing or melancholy.

Legacy in Question

Despite enthusiastic anticipation for a new Miyazaki film, there remains uncertainty about Studio Ghibli’s future. With the senior Miyazaki at the helm of creativity, the studio has preserved its unique hand-drawn essence. However, it’s unclear who will continue this tradition once he steps down or if health issues prevent him from completing his current project.

It’s been challenging for his son, Goro Miyazaki, to gain acceptance among both fans and critics alike. Films such as “Tales from Earthsea” (2006) and “Earwig and the Witch” (2020), Studio Ghibli’s initial fully computer-generated films, received unfavorable feedback. Critics were particularly hard on “Earwig,” claiming it lacked the studio’s trademark warmth, artistic flair, and emotional depth. One critic even described it as “a significant departure from Studio Ghibli at its best.” On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a disappointing 28% approval rating.

Goro openly discusses the stress of constantly being compared to his father, who was apparently direct in telling him that he didn’t possess the skills needed to become a director. It is yet unclear whether Goro will discover his unique artistic expression or if another rising talent will step forward to lead Studio Ghibli into its future.

It’s almost impossible to conceive of the studio’s character, as it appears so deeply intertwined with Miyazaki’s personal universe.

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2025-06-04 18:40