At the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Goro
Miyazaki , son of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki and
also a director, offered 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 problems 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 contributing 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 no longer
around. He “ He said that he would retire, and that all the older
animators should too. He offered the Ghibli Museum as a place for them to work
after his retirement, saying they should all retire together. It
was a somewhat 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 studio. Then what will happen? I
think we’ll find out once those two are gone ,” Goro commented.
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 does not feel confident that the study can persist once his father
makes good on his threat to retire permanently. This uncertainty raises
questions about the future of one of the world's most beloved animation
studios.
Source: Yahoo!News Japan
