Ghibli’s Latest Film “The Wind is Rising” Is Complete! For the First Time, Director Miyazaki...

The Wind is Rising, the first animated theatrical film from director Hayao Miyazaki in five years, has been completed and is set to be released nationwide on July 20. The film follows half of the life of Jiro Horikoshi, designer of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane. A press conference to announce the completion of the film was held at Studio Ghibli in Koganei, Tokyo on June 24. Appearing at the press conference were director Hayao Miyazaki, film director Hideaki Anno, who plays the role of the protagonist Jiro in the movie, and Yumi Matsutoya, who provided the theme song, “Hikoukigumo.” Being a Studio Ghibli film, the press conference was full of big names.

The talk started with Miyazaki telling a surprising story that this was the first time a movie of his had made him cry. Though insisting, “I shouldn’t do this. It’s not dignified,” he showed how deeply attached he was to the film. In response to this, Hideaki Anno, who has worked in anime production for many years, showed surprise, saying, “Is Mr. Miya (Director Miyazaki) crying in front of people?”

Anno is known for directing series such as Neon Genesis Evangelion. That a director such as him would take on a voice acting role surprised many. Miyazaki explained the decision, saying that he had a voice that sounded like he was the most wounded person living today. Rather than creating a character, they recorded his voice as is. Miyazaki gave his approval, saying, “It’s not acting, it’s the real thing.”

For the theme song, Studio Ghibli Producer Suzuki decided on “Hikoukigumo” after making an offer directly to Matsutoya. Matsutoya, who released the song while in high school, said, “If I could, I would tell my high school self.” Regarding The Wind is Rising, her impression was that, “Although it looks like it’s for adults, I think it could have a great affect on junior high and high school students.”

Miyazaki described the film, saying, “It’s not that it’s been five years in between films, it’s that it took five years to make.” Actually bringing the film to life was not easy. This is because drawing this film meant the possibility of drawing a war that actually happened. Also, while drawing the storyboard, the disaster in Tohoku struck, and he debated whether or not he should continue as he was. Saying that he couldn’t have predicted what happened, he was able to get past the barrier.

What came out of that was The Wind is Rising. Based on a real person, it’s the first film of its kind for Hayao Miyazaki. Though a complete departure from Miyazaki’s previous anime, it’s a film that can move anyone, with Miyazaki’s direction working as well as ever. Anyone who watches it, not just the director, will probably find themselves shedding tears. It seems right to say that The Wind is Rising will become a hot topic this summer.

The Wind is Rising Official Site
Source: AnimeAnime