Jan 17, 2014 Groening’s Miyazaki Homage
Popular American animation series The Simpsons is 25 years old this year, an impressive run for any TV show, animated or not. It hints at Dr. Who levels of never-ending success. Nevertheless, The Simpson’s creator, Matt Groening, has recently paid tribute to an even older, more respected peer – Hiyao Miyazaki, a talented and prolific Japanese animator who is often compared to Walt Disney. While the comparison is obviously an overly simplistic one, both men had impressive careers, spanning several decades, and both built veritable animation empires in the process. Miyazaki is probably best known internationally for his feature-length films like Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. There’s lots to love about his work – his stories often incorporate strong female characters and a very healthy respect for nature and the environment. Dedicated fans will have to see if they can catch all the Miyazaki references here…
