In the realm of anime films, the name that shines the brightest is Hayao Miyazaki. The Japanese filmmaker has been an inspiration for many, and there are very few other creators who can be compared to him. One of them is Makoto Shinkai, who is mostly known for his works like Suzume, Weathering With You, and Your Name.
The main reason behind Shinkai’s comparison with Miyazaki is the success that Shinkai’s films have achieved in such a short period of time. The anime filmmaker has released back-to-back hits that, just like Miyazaki’s collection, have created a huge impact on the anime film industry in general.
However, Shinkai himself feels that he cannot be “the next Miyazaki.” He once revealed that he feels awkward whenever he is compared with the legend, as his films lack a few things when compared with Miyazaki’s bangers like Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron, etc.
Makoto Shinkai Doesn’t Like To Be Compared With Hayao Miyazaki
After Weathering With You came out in 2019, Shinkai was interviewed by Polygon during the Toronto International Film Festival. In the interview, Shinkai was about the tag he got as “the next Miyazaki.” Shinkai got a little awkward and gave an abrupt reply.
He stated:
I think in Japan, the whole “next Miyazaki” thing is just from the box office success. With Miyazaki, he was able to just put out hit after hit. Maybe the comparisons came because Your Name and Weathering With You did so well in Japan back to back.
I really feel like I’m not even up to par with Miyazaki. I still feel my films are incomplete and I feel a little awkward or bad that I’m being compared to his greatness.
The Japanese filmmaker revealed that even though his films are a huge success, they feel a little incomplete when compared to Miyazaki’s works. Thus, he feels bad and pressured whenever fans draw parallels between him and Hayao Miyazaki.
Shinkai’s works give a feeling of an open-ended conclusion, which sometimes can give the impression of being incomplete. His movie’s conclusion feels like they are open to fans’ interpretation which can also cause some confusion. Thus, he might be right about the differences between his and Miyazaki’s works.
Makoto Shinkai Wants To Create Films Like Hayao Miyazaki
When Makoto Shinkai was being compared with Miyazaki, he pointed out that he is nowhere near the level of the legendary Japanese filmmaker. In fact, he is the inspiration behind Shinkai’s works. Shinkai even explained that he would love to create something similar to Miyazaki’s films if he ever gets a chance.
Shinaki stated:
I think also people might compare us just because we’re both in animation. It’s true though that I was inspired by Mr Miyazaki; he has these universal themes in all of his works that people strongly relate to, using something from that specific era that feels like it had to be made at that time. I want to do something like that in my films.
Shinkai’s motive was to create films that can relate to people who have suffered ecological disasters and so far he has done a great job in sending the message.
However, he still has a lot to do before he can reach the level of a legend like Miyazaki who has been working in the industry for so long.
