Hayao Miyazaki, 85, still painting new works, says son Goro

Studio Ghibli has unveiled two significant new attractions at its Ghibli Park this summer. The park now features "The Night of the Valley of Witches," an original short animated film created specifically for the park, and "Panoramic Box Exhibition," a new exhibition by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki.

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For Ghibli Park, shouldn't the best attraction be images produced by Studio Ghibli?

Directed by Goro Miyazaki, Hayao Miyazaki's son, and animated by Yasuhiro Akihiko, "The Night of the Valley of Witches" tells the story of a new employee at the park who encounters mysterious events after closing. The film's lead voice roles are filled by Jesse from the popular Japanese boy band SixTONES and singer AiNA THE END, marking Jesse's debut in a Ghibli production. Director Goro Miyazaki praised Jesse's improvisational skills and comedic timing, calling him a "perfect casting."

Adding to the excitement, the "Panoramic Box Exhibition" showcases 31 meticulously crafted pop-up artworks by Hayao Miyazaki himself. These pieces, which he developed over three years, are inspired by his childhood fascination with paper crafts. The exhibition features scenes from classic Ghibli films like "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" and "My Neighbor Totoro," as well as newer works such as "The Boy and the Heron." Goro Miyazaki humorously noted his father's enduring creative drive, stating that Miyazaki continues to paint new works, with "paintings overflowing from boxes." He believes his father will continue creating until his death.

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He is still drawing new works! The paintings are overflowing from boxes, like a giant panoramic box without a frame. Since he's come this far, I think he'll keep drawing until he dies.

The exhibition's design draws inspiration from the "Corridor of Time" in "The Boy and the Heron," allowing visitors to peek into miniature worlds. Goro Miyazaki emphasized the exhibition's accessibility, with viewing windows designed for children and wheelchair users. He hopes the exhibition will introduce younger audiences to Ghibli's earlier works and inspire them to revisit them.

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The ability to seal time and space within a box is precisely the source of power that gave birth to Director Hayao Miyazaki's works, and it makes me admire him once again.