Critics criticize that Ghibli depends too much on Hayao Miyazaki

At the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Goro Miyazaki, son of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki and also a director, offered some candid statements about the future of Studio Ghibli. During a conversation prior to receiving the Honorary Palme d'Or on behalf of Ghibli, Goro highlighted the issues the studio has faced with generational transitions.

Goro Miyazaki recalled that his father had first announced his retirement after finishing "Princess Mononoke" in 1997. The creation of the Ghibli Museum was part of a strategy to provide a place where older animators could continue to contribute after their retirement. However, this never materialized. Despite multiple attempts to pass the baton, Goro noted that critical decisions at Studio Ghibli remain primarily in the hands of Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki.

Goro also mentioned that the future of the studio will be defined when both Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki are gone. "He said he would retire, and all the older cheerleaders should too. He offered the Ghibli Museum as a place for them to work after their retirement, saying they should all retire together. It was a bit of an unwanted intrusion, although in the end, it didn't turn out that way. Since then, we've repeatedly discussed how to pass the baton, but even now, it's Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki who are in charge. They make most of the important decisions for the study. So what will happen? I think we'll figure it out once those two are gone," Goro said.

These statements reflect a real concern about Studio Ghibli's ability to continue without the guidance of its founder and key producer. Goro Miyazaki made it clear that he still doesn't feel confident that the study can persist once his father makes good on his threat to retire for good. This uncertainty raises questions about the future of one of the world's most beloved animation studios.

Source: Yahoo! News Japan