Hayao Miyazaki Wins Second Oscar for The Boy and the Heron
LOS ANGELES — In a stunning victory, Japan’s legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki has clinched his second Oscar more than two decades after his first win.
The Boy and the Heron triumphed over fierce competition from Disney’s Elemental and Spider-Man Across the Spider-verse to secure the coveted Best Animated Feature Film award.
The 83-year-old maestro had previously snagged the Golden Globe for the same film back in January.
Set against the backdrop of World War Two, this semi-autobiographical masterpiece follows the journey of a young boy who encounters a enigmatic talking heron following the loss of his mother.
Miyazaki’s own experiences during the war, much like the protagonist Mahito’s, deeply influenced the narrative. His mother’s indelible impact on his life is evident in the strong female characters that populate his cinematic universe.
As the co-founder of the esteemed Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki had previously clinched his inaugural Oscar in 2003 for the iconic Spirited Away. This groundbreaking film revolves around a young girl’s quest to rescue her parents who have been transformed into swine, marking it as the first non-English animated feature to clinch the prestigious accolade.
Spirited Away went on to become Japan’s highest-grossing film of all time, maintaining the record for an impressive 19 years. Another beloved classic, My Neighbor Totoro, which chronicles the adventures of two sisters and their mystical animal companion, has cemented itself as a cultural phenomenon and the unofficial mascot of Studio Ghibli.
In a nod to his unparalleled storytelling prowess, Miyazaki, affectionately dubbed the godfather of animation, was bestowed with an honorary Oscar in 2014.
“My wife often reminds me that I am an incredibly fortunate individual,” Miyazaki remarked in his gracious acceptance speech for the honorary award.
“I believe my good fortune stems from being able to participate in the final era where we can craft films using paper, pencil, and celluloid,” he added through an interpreter.
Spanning a decade in production, The Boy and the Heron underscores Miyazaki’s unwavering commitment to hand-drawn animation in an era dominated by computer-generated imagery. Despite his absence at the recent Oscar ceremony, his enduring legacy shines brightly, having amassed a total of four nominations in the Best Animated Feature category. — BBC
