Photo/Illutration A scene from “The Boy and the Heron” (© 2023 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli)

As Hayao Miyazaki’s staff at Studio Ghibli celebrated winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar for "The Boy and the Heron," the famed anime maestro remained out of sight.

But that didn't mean that Miyazaki was oblivious to another impressive honor added to his glittering resume. 

The film’s producer, Toshio Suzuki, said he had called Miyazaki, who was at his private workshop nearby, to share the good news.

“I told (Miyazaki), ‘Congratulations!’ and he replied, ‘Same to you, too,’" Suzuki said at a news conference at Studio Ghibli in Koganei, western Tokyo, on March 11. "I could feel his joy spilling over, despite attempts to hide it.”

Miyazaki did not appear at the Tokyo news conference or make any public comments.

At Studio Ghibli, more than 30 staff members had gathered at 8 a.m to watch the live broadcast of the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 10.

When their film’s title was called, the room erupted in a great “Wah!” of applause. Some pumped their fists in the air, while others high-fived in joy.

This is only the second time that a Japanese film has won this award, following “Spirited Away,” also directed by Miyazaki, in 2003.

“The Boy and the Heron,” tells the story of Mahito, a boy who loses his mother in an air raid during World War II. After evacuating to the countryside, Mahito meets a strange blue heron that shifts between bird and human form and lures him into a mysterious world.

Suzuki said that Miyazaki has regretted holding a news conference declaring that he would never make another film after “The Wind Rises,” which was released in 2013. 

According to Suzuki, when Miyazaki wanted to make another film, his first words to Suzuki were, “I know this is embarrassing but. ...”

Suzuki said Miyazaki has also told him, “I’m not going to be in the public eye anymore.”

“He’s already done enough news conference for a lifetime,” Suzuki explained.

After completing “The Boy and the Heron,” Miyazaki has continued to draw pictures for display at Museo d’Arte Ghibli in Mitaka, western Tokyo, and at the Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture.

“He is making a panorama box of each of his past works,” Suzuki said. “When I look at those paintings, I see a person who knows no decline. He is truly energetic. I think Miyazaki will probably continue to paint until the day he dies. He will always be in good health and will only decline all at once on the day he dies. That’s how I feel.”

As for Miyazaki’s next film, Suzuki said the studio has no plans right now.

“I can’t think of anything until the screenings of 'The Boy and the Heron' are over,” he said.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s not easy to make another feature-length film,” Suzuki admitted.

“I have told Miyazaki that I want him to make a short film. We also talk about what the theme would be and what it would be like to make a short film,” Suzuki said.

Related News