Ponyo and Hayao Miyazaki

As anyone with small children already knows, Hayao Miyazaki's latest movie “Ponyo” (Gaku no ue no Ponyo) is out in theaters in the US. Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's "Little Mermaid", the film's received rave reviews for it magical atmosphere and childlike wonder at the world around us.

In this film Miyazaki explores themes common to his work at Studio Ghibli on the universe and our place in it. For me these themes include the following:

Nature

In Miyazaki’s conception Nature is a living entity encompassing all plants and animals with the notable exception of man. The beauty of this interdependent system is showcased in his movies and contrasted with its fragility in the face of human exploitation of it.

An illustrative example of this theme is “Princess Mononke” (Mononke Hime), where the title character leads the forest creatures against a small settlement of humans intent on pillaging natural resources without concern for the native inhabitants.

Magic

Coincident with Nature’s beauty is its inherent mystery expressed in diverse and sometimes terrifying manifestations. A beautiful exposition of this theme is in Miyazaki’s early work “My Neighbor Totoro” (Tonari no Totoro)where two young children spend the summer of their mother’s convalescence joyfully exploring the countryside in the company of a variety of magical creatures.

Even when the magic is openly on display as in “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (Majo no Takkyūbin), where young witches learn their profession by delivering parcels on broomsticks, adults are unable to understand the magic in their midst.

Traditional Beliefs

Underlying the modern rational world are traditional elements of Japanese culture that have never gone away in Miyazaki’s perspective.

In “Spirited Away” (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi) a menagerie of characters from Japanese folklore and Shinto beliefs make their appearance on screen as guests and workers at the otherworldly resort. At the end of the movie one of the protagonists realizes his true identity as a river spirit and flies of as a winged dragon.

All of these movies are interesting and beautiful, reflecting Miyazaki’s ability to see the world through children’s eyes utilizing the prism of Japanese culture.