The Directors Project: #14 - Hayao Miyazaki

Scene from Cinema Paradiso

With the many lists and essays written on the subject of film, there has been one thing that The Oscar Buzz has tried to understand: Who is my favorite of the film world? For 10 weeks this summer, I will be exploring this with a countdown of the Top 50 names based on a numerical ranking of ratings from various sources, the following is a list of directors who rank above everyone else. With occasional upsets, this is intended as both a discussion opener as well as a better understanding of me as a film critic and fan. Please enjoy and leave any comments you have regarding the entry's selection.

HAYO MIYAZAKI

Years Active: 1963-2013

Films as Director: 11

Oscar Wins: 1 (Best Animated Feature - Spirited Away)

Who: When it comes to world cinema, there isn't a figure as synonymous with quality animation as Miyazaki and his production company Studio Ghibli. Unlike his American counterparts, he remains a master of hand-drawn animation, choosing to mix gorgeous, intricate details with stories that focus around the relationships between humanity and nature. His films have an immediacy and a sense of wonder that cause the films to take on a more important tone and pushes the animation into new and interesting directions. His style is so distinct and professional that very few can even come close to reaching the balance that he has over a very long and storied career that continues to influence animators all around the world while remaining great pieces of art.

POINTS TALLY

Scene from Spirited Away

-- Spirited Away (2001) --

Flickchart Ranking: #131 (800 points)

IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)

Perks: None

Total: 860 points

-- My Neighbor Totoro (1988) --

Flickchart Ranking: #171 (750 points)

IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)

Perks: None
Total: 810 points

-- Princess Mononoke (1997) --

Flickchart Ranking: #192 (750 points)

IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)

Perks: None

Total: 810 points

-- Howl's Moving Castle (2004) --

Flickchart Ranking: #215 (700 points)

IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)

Perks: None

Total: 770 points

-- The Wind Rises (2013) --

Flickchart Ranking: #615 (400 points)

IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)

Perks: None

Total: 470 points

-- Porco Rosso (1992) --

Flickchart Ranking: #617 (400 points)

IMDb Rating: #6/10 (60 points)

Perks: None

Total: 460 points

OVERALL TOTAL: 4170 points

WHY DO I LOVE

Scene from My Neighbor Totoro

As evident by a lot of things that I have said on The Oscar Buzz, I love exploring the limitless potential of animation. While there are many films that I love more than Studio Ghibli's best, there is no denying that his work is the most consistently great. From the imagination to the artistry, these are masterpieces in what the genre should be striving for. It is a shame that American animation is not quite on par with exploring themes as grand or character designs so unique and memorable as his work. He is a master of creating wonderful films that are timeless and that is something that this genre needs to work on doing more often.

UP NEXT: The master of 70's film making who made some of the most iconic, revered films in contemporary cinema.