Hayao Miyazaki returns! Image via GoBoiano
If you don’t know Hayao Miyazaki by name, you certainly know him by his movies. His 2001 film Spirited Away captured hearts worldwide and still reigns supreme as the highest grossing film of all time in Japan (even more than Titanic!).
Miyazaki’s career stretches far and wide beyond just his Spirited Away claim to fame, but the acclaimed Studio Ghibli director announced his retirement back in 2013 after the release of his final film, The Wind Rises.
Which is why fans of Miyazaki’s films were overjoyed to find an incredible little surprise nestled into a TV special aired about the creator over the weekend: he’s working on a new movie.
Miyazaki has plans to develop a CG short called Boro the Caterpillar into a feature-length animated film. The story is apparently one he has been working on for over 20 years. Unsatisfied with the results of the CG film intended for the Ghibli Museum, Miyazaki has already begun work animating the full-length version of Boro and says it could take up to 5 years to complete.
The excitement from Miyazaki’s dedicated fan base is palpable. Though Miyazaki was expected to continue working on small projects, another film was completely off the table after the director announced his plans to retire. News of such a project already being underway is more than just exciting; it’s a gift from a master director and animator.
Though there are very few details as of yet for Boro the Caterpillar, the film is sure to be just as whimsical and full of surprises as its 75-year-old creator.
In the meantime, we'll be anxiously awaiting the release like little soot sprites starved for star-shaped food pellets.
