Acclaimed anime director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) spoke at the opening of the Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum where he has revealed the first details on his next animated feature film, Kimi-tachi wa Dou Ikiru ka (How Do You Live?). The film itself isn’t expected to be complete for another three to four years.
Miyazaki spoke with writer Kazutoshi Handou at the grand opening of the Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum.
He reveals that the upcoming film will have connections to Genzaburou Yoshino’s 1937 book of the same name, Kimi-tachi wa Dou Ikiru ka. Miyazaki mentions that the story of the book plays a central part in the main protagonist of his upcoming film, having great meaning. The book itself follows a young man named Koperu and his uncle as they discuss how to live as humans.
In an interview with Japanese television broadcast station NHK, Miyazaki revealed that he was unsatisfied with the length of the anime project he was recently working on, the anime short Kemushi no Boro (Boro the Caterpillar), which was showcased at the Studio Ghibli Museum. Miyazaki wanted to expand it into a full feature length anime film. In order to do, he estimates that it would take about 5 years to complete, aiming for a release before in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Miyazaki has already started doing storyboards for the full length film, before the movie got green-lit.
Former Studio Ghibli president Toshio Suzuki mentions that Miyazaki would be drawing storyboards until he dies, where he notes that his death would increase the sales of the film.
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most well known and acclaimed Japanese directors. Miyazaki founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 after the success of his first major film Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Since then Miyazaki has directed many more films with the studio, many of which has resonated with fans all over the world including: Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle and many more. In regards to Miyazaki’s manga work, he drew his first manga series in 1969 titled Puss ‘n Boots (which is unrelated to DreamWorks Animation’s 2011 film). Miyazaki’s most notable manga series is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, which was adapted into a film. Miyazaki’s latest manga was Kaze Tachinu, which was also adapted into a film.
Hayao Miyazaki is back in the directing chair for his next big anime film, Kimi-tachi wa Dou Ikiru ka, which my be his last. More information about the film will be revealed at a later date.