Animator and film director

Hayao Miyazaki

The animator and co-founder of Studio Ghibli whose hand-drawn films reached audiences worldwide.

By globalcelebwiki Editorial Desk · Published 29 September 2026

Profession: Animator and film director
Born: 5 January 1941
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Nationality: Japanese

Illustration by globalcelebwiki

Overview

Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese animator, film director and manga artist, and a co-founder of Studio Ghibli. His feature films are known for hand-drawn animation and carefully built imaginary worlds.

Early life

Miyazaki was born in Tokyo in 1941 and studied political science and economics at Gakushuin University before entering the animation industry.

Career journey

He began as an animator at Toei Animation in the 1960s and directed his first features in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1985 he co-founded Studio Ghibli, where he wrote and directed a run of features including My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. He has announced and reversed retirement more than once, returning with The Wind Rises and The Boy and the Heron.

Notable work

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), My Neighbour Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), Howl''s Moving Castle (2004), The Boy and the Heron (2023).

Awards and achievements

Spirited Away won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003 and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2002. The Boy and the Heron won the same Academy Award in 2024.