Studio Ghibli fans are still rejoicing over the return of the anime legend Hayao Miyazaki, but not everyone is as excited. One critic in particular thinks that it will not be as exciting as everyone is making it out to be. Toshio Okada, co-founder of Gainax studios, awarded for creating poular series such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Gurren Lagann, had some strong words to say about the situation. Okada stated on his program that he things Miyazaki’s big return will be a failure. Okada stated “This is Toshio Okada’s February 2017 prediction, but I honestly think this could be a failure”. He went on to say that the director is past prime and that anything he makes now cannot compare to the standard he has set with his other legendary work.
Videos by ComicBook.com
Although not much is officially known about Miyazaki’s new film, there are rumors about what it could be. Many believe it will be a feature-length version of a short he created for the Studio Ghibli Museum named Kemushi no Boro, or Boro The Caterpilar in English. Miyazaki stated during a television special that he wanted to return to make a new feature film.
“Kemushi no Boro” (Boro the Caterpillar), a planned CG short for the Ghibli Museum. During the Owaranai Hito Miyazaki Hayao (The Man Who Is Not Done: Hayao Miyazaki) television special on NHK that aired in November, Miyazaki reported that he wanted to return to making an anime feature film.
Okada went on to say more about the new upcoming film, stating that he was not impressed with the preview of Boro the Caterpillar that was showed on the aforementioned television special. One of the reason that this film will not be as successful, Okada believes, is because of the time required. He noted that Miyazaki used to be able to work for 12 to 14 hours at a time, but now he is not able to work more than three because of back issues. Okada continued to take shots at the director, saying that his “image power is failing” and that his come back will not be a positive one.
However despite all of the negative comments, Okada stated he did want Miyazaki to return from retirement. The reason why is because he thinks the best way to die is doing what you love. He said “It would be OK for Hayao Miyazaki to also be like Osamu Tezuka and die while grasping a pen”. He states that dying while doing what you love is an ideal dream for artists and creators like himself, and believes Miyazaki feels the same way.
