Goro Miyazaki
Goro Miyazaki was born on the 21st of January 1967 in Tokyo. He grew up as the son of animators Hayao Miyazaki and Akemi Ota. His younger brother Keisuke found sketches of their parents' work while they were children. As a high school student, Goro thought that he would never be able to reach the level his father had attained. This belief led him away from animation and toward landscape architecture instead. He graduated from Shinshu University's School of Agriculture before working as a construction consultant. His early career focused on planning and designing parks and gardens rather than drawing characters.
In 1998, Goro became involved in the design of the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. He served as its director from 2001 until June 2005. This role required him to manage the physical space where audiences experienced Studio Ghibli films. His background in agriculture and park design proved useful for creating an environment that felt organic and inviting. Later, he took on the responsibility of leading the development of Ghibli Park. This new project began operating in 2022 under his direction as lead designer. The park extends the museum concept into outdoor spaces across Japan.
Goro originally joined the Tales from Earthsea project as a consultant. He was asked to draw storyboards after producers saw his initial work. Producer Toshio Suzuki decided Miyazaki should direct the film based on those drawings. The move caused friction between Goro and his father Hayao. They were said not to have spoken throughout the movie's development. Hayao felt his son did not have enough experience to direct such a large production. On the 28th of June 2006, Goro held the first preview of the completed film. His father attended this screening and accepted Goro afterward. Hayao delivered a message saying the film was made honestly and it was good. The film grossed $68 million worldwide despite mixed reviews compared to other Ghibli movies. It received the Bunshun Raspberry Award for Worst Movie at the end of 2006.
From Up on Poppy Hill was released on the 16th of July 2011, in Japan. This adaptation of Chizuru Takahashi and Tetsuro Sayama's 1980 manga Kokurikozaka kara marked a shift in reception. The film stars Masami Nagasawa and Keiko Takeshita among others. Goro voiced the world history teacher character himself during production. He also wrote lyrics to some of the songs used in the film. Critics gave positive reviews upon its release. The film won the 2012 Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year. This award represented a significant redemption after the controversy surrounding Tales from Earthsea. The success demonstrated his ability to handle emotional storytelling without relying solely on action sequences.
On the 31st of January 2014, it was announced that Goro would direct his first anime television series. Ronja, the Robber's Daughter is an adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's novel for NHK. The series ran for one season from 2014 to 2015 with a total of 26 episodes. Polygon Pictures animated the show while Studio Ghibli co-produced it. This project allowed him to explore longer narrative structures beyond feature films. The broadcast history showed steady viewership throughout its run. It proved he could manage complex character arcs over multiple hours of content.
In May 2020, Toshio Suzuki confirmed that a new film from Goro was in development at Studio Ghibli. On the 3rd of June 2020, the studio announced the film would be an adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' novel Earwig and the Witch. This project marked the first full 3D CG animated Ghibli film ever created. The world premiere took place on the 18th of October 2020, at the Lumière Film Festival. It premiered in Japan on television on the 30th of December 2020, on NHK General TV. Toho released it theatrically in Japan on the 27th of August 2021. This technical shift represented a major departure from traditional hand-drawn animation methods used by his father.
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Common questions
When was Goro Miyazaki born and where?
Goro Miyazaki was born on the 21st of January 1967 in Tokyo. He grew up as the son of animators Hayao Miyazaki and Akemi Ota.
What career did Goro Miyazaki pursue before becoming a director?
Goro Miyazaki graduated from Shinshu University's School of Agriculture and worked as a construction consultant planning parks and gardens. His early career focused on landscape architecture rather than drawing characters.
How long did Goro Miyazaki serve as director of the Ghibli Museum?
Goro Miyazaki served as the director of the Ghibli Museum from 2001 until June 2005. This role required him to manage the physical space where audiences experienced Studio Ghibli films.
Why did Hayao Miyazaki initially refuse to speak with his son during Tales from Earthsea development?
Hayao Miyazaki felt his son did not have enough experience to direct such a large production. They were said not to have spoken throughout the movie's development until after the first preview on the 28th of June 2006.
When was From Up on Poppy Hill released in Japan and what award did it win?
From Up on Poppy Hill was released on the 16th of July 2011, in Japan. The film won the 2012 Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year.
What is Earwig and the Witch and when was it theatrically released in Japan?
Earwig and the Witch is an adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' novel that marked the first full 3D CG animated Ghibli film ever created. Toho released it theatrically in Japan on the 27th of August 2021.