Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki has been dubbed the "Walt Disney of Japan," the title due in no small part to the distribution of his films in America by the company. However, I do not agree with this statement. Simply because the two geniuses both made their name in the art form of animation does not make them cinematic siblings. The only thing comparable between them is their expansive imaginations. Miyazaki's films are all completely original, though they draw inspiration from universal folklore. Not only that, but he tends to dwell on deeper, more complex themes such as preservation of the environment, pacifism, and disorientation in unfamiliar surroundings. His films range from the lighthearted to the positively brutal. I love all of his films (the only one I've yet to see is Kiki's Delivery Service [1989]), and they always refuel my own imagination and remind me why I love film and animation. One only has to glance at a snippet of a Miyazaki movie to grasp the breathless sense of wonder he has created and drawn beautifully.