Video Essay About "The Essence of Humanity" in Hayao Miyazaki's Films

"Creating animation means creating a fictional world. That world soothes the spirit of those who are disheartened and exhausted from dealing with the sharp edges of reality."

Fans of Hayao Miyazaki's works know that his films feature well-developed characters who vividly express their emotions in unforgettable ways. Miyazaki's excellent attention to technical detail, nature, and humanity make his films beautiful to watch. 

YouTuber Channel Crisswell created a video essay that reflects on how Miyzaki blends realism and fantasy, and how he portrays the "Essence of Humanity" in his films. Artists, animators, and writers could learn a lot from this video as it deeply analyzes his styles and techniques. The video, which highlights fantastic footage from Miyazaki's classics like Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke, noted some insightful points like how Miyazaiki shows the importance of developing characters by giving them objectives, emotions, and their visual means of character movement. I also learned a new word: 

Gegika - Japanese for "dramatic pictures". Coined by more Japanese cartoonists who did not want their trade to be manga

This shows us how Miyazaki focuses on using emotion more than logic to give his audience an unforgettable experience. As the video points out, Miyazaki reserves empathy for his human elements and mystery for his fantasy elements. Miyaki words inspire me to create engaging characters:  "What drives animation is the will of the characters. You don't depict fate, you depict will". Watch the beautiful video below: 

In other Miyazaki news, the legendary animator is planning to open a nature sanctuary in Okinawa, Japan. You can read more about it here.