2. Critical Analysis
The content of these pieces do indeed have many things in common, for one they all have clear fantasy
elements to them. The first being a half human half bird character (Howl), the second is further back in the
image like a ghost (no face) and the third is a forest god/animal creature (Totoro).
The main characters frequently differ in both appearance and age given a different aspect on the story
being told
3. He does not have characters belonging to
one age group this does in fact reflect the
target audience as there is no one set age at
which one would more frequently watch
these films
Hayao Miyazaki’s films are categorized as
Family films this therefore gives them a
wide target audience. It also depends on the
content of each films narrative when
determining which age group would be
more appropriate.
My Neighbor Totoro has a more childish
audience as the theme explored is not
incredibly complex and can be appreciated
for it’s narrative by the younger audiences.
Spirited Away is considered slightly scarier
with more mythical elements as has
therefore been gifted with a slightly older
audience recommendation (Young teen).
Howl’s Moving Castle fits into the farther
end of the age group at a 15+ as this is
considered the age at which one can fully
appreciate the film for it’s thought-
provoking nature.
Age and representation of
These films vary from a U certificate (Suitable
for everyone) to a PG (parental guidance
recommended)
4. Hayao Miyazaki films are unisex are
do not attempt to target one gender in
particular
But Miyazaki is frequently praised for
his feminist approach of telling a
story.
For example when he is discussing the
time period of his piece Princess
Mononoke, he chose the Muromachi
period stating “It was a more fluid
period, when there were no
distinctions between peasants and a
samurai, when women were bolder
and freer,” he says. This shows that
Miyazaki takes into consideration
how to properly represent the female
gender in his infamous genre.
Gender
5. Blogs such as Popcorn Feminist
discuss how the themes and
protagonists expressed in
Miyazaki’s film, far surpass those in
the classic Disney’s.
Themes such as independence,
anti-racial stereotyping, breaking
gender roles, expressing ambition
and anti-sexualisation are popular
themes in Miyazaki’s franchise.
Miyazaki VS. Disney
(Gender: Part 2)
6. The female villains in
Miyazaki’s films frequently
tend to be women of the
older generation.
Whereas the male villains
tend to be a little younger
(and thinner).
This can create a negative
effect on this generation due
to Miyazaki’s repetitive use of
them in a harsh manner but
in most cases concerning the
female villains, by the end of
the film they are frequently
on the protagonists side.
Negative Representation
7. “Miyazaki’s female protagonists
are complicated, flawed, and
independent figures” – ‘The Mary
Sue’
Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli
productions are typically based on
Japanese culture, history or myths.
Therefore he has his main
characters positively represent
these aspects of Japan.
Positive Representation
8. Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli
productions are typically based on
Japanese culture, history or myths.
Therefore he has his main characters
positively represent these aspects of
Japan.
All of Miyazaki’s characters have
varying characteristics both with their
personalities and physical features.
Miyazaki will frequently have links
between his films for example the
infamous egg, this is a signature piece
on Miyazaki’s films that is a highlight
to his audience and is also a signature
in Japanese cuisine.
Miyazaki’s films technically tend to
have around 3-5 main characters
including the antagonist.
Miyazaki’s films can go for around 80
minutes to 120 minutes depending on
the story.
Cultural and technical
9. Howl’s Moving Castle was released in
2004.
Miyazaki, is a technically only half
responsible for the making of Howl’s
Moving Castle as a film. For one, he
only half directed it and two it is based
of the book ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ by
Diana Wynne Jones. Which means he
didn’t direct it fully nor did he come
up with the story, though it does of
course have it’s own little Miyazaki
quirkiness.
In the English dubbed version Howl is
voiced by Christian Bale who said he
would happily voice any character in
Miyazaki’s next film.
Howl’s Moving Castle
10. Spirited Away is apparently Miyazaki’s most famous piece
of work created in 2001.
But there is a theory that proves this film to not be as
appropriate for younger audiences as one might have
initially thought.
It all starts with an inscription above a bath house door in
which the protagonist will later work. The inscription is a
symbol that translates to ‘yu’ meaning hot water’, which
makes sense. But when investigated further it transpired that
during the Edo period (in which this was set) bath houses
were basically brothels. The women are known as ‘yuna’ or
hot water women.
Even more research shows that Brothel Madams in those
times were called ‘Yubaba’ which is exactly the name given
to the old witch who runs the batch house in the film.
The protagonist is also forced to sign over her name to
Yubaba and become Sen. Which historically is customary for
prostitutes to change their names and sign them over to their
madams
The character ‘No Face’ interacts with the protagonist
frequently by offering her tokens which is their currency. It is
thought here that her is trying to buy her.
But one might dismiss this theory with one shake of the head
by it’s creator. But Miyazaki himself in interviews admitted
that this was intentional, stating: “I think the most
appropriate way to symbolize the modern world is the sex
industry. Hasn’t Japanese society become like the sex
industry?”
To conclude the childhood favorite Miyazki film is about
prostitution and the corruption of children.
Spirited Away
(Theory Source: ‘MoviePilot’)
11. ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ is one of Miyazaki’s most
classical family films enjoyed by people of all ages,
since it’s release in 1988. But it is thought to not be
as family friendly as initially thought.
God of Death theory: ‘The rumor says that the
people who can see Totoro are actually close to
death or already dead’
In the ending scene, it is said that the two main
protagonists don’t have any shadows.
There is also a famous murder case called ‘The
Sayama Incident’ (My Neighbor Totoro takes place
in Sayama hills) in which two sister turn up dead.
‘The Sayama Incident’ happened in May and both
sisters in Totoro are technically named ‘May’
(Satsuki means ‘May’ in Japanese and Mei is the
Japanese pronunciation of ‘May’).
Though the studio dismissed the theory it is still
one that will probably never die.
(Theory source: Kotaku)
My Neighbor Totoro
