Over the weekend the news broke that famed animation director Hayao Miyazaki will be officially retiring now that his newest release Kaze Tachinu (English title: The Wind Rises) is complete. I’ll take this with a grain of salt, since the 72-year-old director has officially “retired” after every film since Princess Mononoke, but even if it’s true this time, it’s okay since no one has earned a long rest as much as Miyazaki-sensei. The Japanese love nothing better than to give honor and respect to any of their number who has raised the stature of Japan in the eyes of people around the world, and as creator of some of the most beloved animated films since Walt Disney, Japan is proud of Mr. Miyazaki indeed. Tonight I think I’ll re-watch my Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Blu-ray and raise a glass to Mr. Miyazaki.
Thank you, Miyazaki-sensei, for 30 years of great films!
