The Philosophy of Miyazaki - Wisecrack Edition

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Academy Award®-nominated director Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved classic My Neighbor Totoro comes to theaters for it's 30th anniversary on September 30th, October 1st, and October 3rd. (2018)
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Welcome to this Wisecrack Edition on the Philosophy of Hayao Miyazaki!
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Written by: Thomas Ambrosini
Directed by: Michael Luxemburg
Narrated by: Jared Bauer
Edited by: Mark Potts
Motion Graphics by: Jackson Maher
Produced by: Emily Dunbar
Patron Executive Producer: Brent Krafft
© 2018 Wisecrack, Inc.

[@HeroDark98]

People like to call Miyazaki the "Disney of Japan", but honestly that's kinda insulting to Miyazaki. Disney couldn't even dream of making films as good as Miyazaki's.

[@joshuamanjarrez6321]

Marc Shanahan Also Disney tried to ruin the reputation of a Mexican kid songs author because he didn't want to give Disney the right of them.

[@krono5el]

guess who inspired him : P

[@88michaelandersen]

"Disney couldn't even dream of making films as good as Miyazaki's." That is ridiculous. Walt Disney was the master of the medium during his life. Miyazaki joins Disney as one of the great shapers of animation, and is on Disney's level, but by no means does Miyazaki overshadow Disney.

[@hkoxnw]

Marc Shanahan how could wisecrack not know how frowned upon this label is??? Disney didn't achieve half of what Miyazaki has. Great video otherwise!

[@ytho3505]

Very true. 😂

[@pootlesnoot8278]

When I was 7 years old I saw Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, today I'm a marine biologist, that's how much of an effect Miyazaki's stories had on me as a child. Screw wanting to grow up to be a Disney princess 😜

[@Toastbug]

I just watched it with my 8y old daughter. Afterwards she immediatly rushed outside to play with 'the bugs in our garden'

[@diegosuazodelarosa3256]

Saw the Wind Rises in 6th grade, on my way to start studying Aeronautical Engineering next year in college :)

[@YumegakaMurakumo]

@@diegosuazodelarosa3256 Awesome 💜🥰

[@explorewithjude8469]

You’re beautiful the way you’re

[@gibson1005]

became an engineer to build good robots like in Laputa

[@memicoot]

In Princess Mononoke it's interesting how the movie doesn't totally take sides. While we're clearly supposed to feel that nature deserves most of our support, Lady Eboshi does so much good for those around her, and her followers practically worship her. She's extremely caring and supportive towards her people, but merciless when it comes to nature. It's not a simple black and white scenario for sure.

[@Hrairoo555]

And that's where I see the commentary goes wrong. He mischaracterizes Christianity and Shintoism as black and white.

[@andrews9615]

memicoot I thinks that is the point.

[@andrews9615]

Hrairoo555 I think his point over anything is to find a balance there. It’s not that one is wrong and the other is right, he showed two ideologies representing the conflicts of the stories, but in each of the stories, the found balance.

[@kingkylie9655]

@@Hrairoo555 Nah thats where he did shit right. I loved how he wrote Lady Eboshi

[@j0an-07-arc6]

When I was watching I noticed that to the boy was the only one who didn’t pick sides and supported everyone there problem was they kept choosing sides and in the movie kept mentioning it like wait who sided is his on

[@JustClaude13]

The cat bus thing is called Catbus. I thought everyone knew that.

[@JeremiahFernandez]

_kattobossu_

[@rdwn_ridwan]

Its called shinigami

[@madselmvig1457]

@@rdwn_ridwan No Neko no basu is not a Shinigami (a god of death) what on earth make you think that it has anything to do with bringing death to people?

[@shrishtityagi7374]

Kittenbus it is

[@schere1161]

@@madselmvig1457 there’s something called sarcasm and humour

[@skullsquad900]

When the Bible said that Humans have dominion over the Earth. I've always taken it as "Humans are the shepards of the Earth, so we must watch and protect it." I've noticed many others think that they can do whatever they want because they're Human. Welp, guess I'm Shinto now!

[@VSM101]

That's just you being wishful shepherd's own the lives of sheep and take cear of the for there own benefit not for the befite of the sheep the Bible is brutal trash.

[@skullsquad900]

Vishal Maraj Yes, though, if the Shepards slaughter all the sheep then they have no more wool to keep them warm, or meat to keep them fed. We have control over the Earth, and if we destroy it, then we in-turn destroy ourselves.

[@JewTube001]

If they slaughter all the sheep they'll actually have a lot of meat to keep them fed.

[@GoldieTamamo]

The thing I find fascinating about humans in western culture, is that they're really terrified of the alien rising up to take everything over--whether it be machines, monsters, or space invaders. Every great idea has its shadow, and the notion of human dominion comes with the shadow of the overthrow of humanity.

[@GoldieTamamo]

+Bearrorist Miyazaki's 'Pom Poko' touches upon this whole matter, quite nicely. Urbanization of modern Japan has not gone without its consequences for nature.

[@ponmari]

"the walt disney of anime, hayao miyazaki." THIS AIN'T IT CHIEF

[@aronneibarra]

lol more like Hayao Miyazaki of anime, Hayao Miyazaki

[@alinac5512]

Right? Ghibli is gospel (excuse the word, I hate religion but I dont know any other word that describes Ghibli so well), its so positive, disney on the other hand is corrupt and dark.

[@kamomimi432]

@@alinac5512 YES YES THIS

[@MorningKillsDawn]

I really liked this video but you're talking mostly and almost only about his affect towards nature and you haven't really discussed his anti-war opinions. Almost all of his films that you mentioned: Valley of wind, Princess mononoke, Laputa (and so on) have a very strong motif of anti-war as well as respect towards nature. Don't get me wrong, this video is epic and thank you for it, but as for "The Philosophy of Miyazaki" you missed a huge part there.

[@bionicleman1231]

Yeah. I remember he was unsure of how Howl's moving castle would be received in the US since it was released during the fervent patriotism post-9/11 and was a direct protest to the Iraq war.

[@LightsOnTrees]

Did you watch till the end? He made that point very clearly.

[@leaconway2058]

@@LightsOnTrees I watched to the end and no I don't think he did, yes he mentioned how in castle in the sky they choose to destroy laputa rather than let musca use it to 'destroy the balance of the world' but that doesn't really dig in to his entire anti war thing enough for me to say it covers 'The philosophy of miyazaki' maybe the title should be 'How Shintoism influenced Miyazaki's view of Nature' or something along those lines.

[@enluv651]

@@leaconway2058 a very fair and fitting title for this video

[@j0an-07-arc6]

Didn’t mention Pom poko which is basically a documentary on that

[@SunnyDCurlesrainbow545]

Great video, but No Face from Spirited Away wasn't always unruly or unfriendly or evil. He was also kind, loving, friendly and helpful. The bathhouse made him insane. You're welcome!

[@abavaxi2688]

I think he mirrored how people treated him

[@shelbyhiromi]

you should watch CJ the X's video essay about No Face. I will forever see No Face completely differently after that.

[@prutas]

I gasped when I saw this episode pop up on my feed! I freaking LOVE Miyazaki!

[@Ikiratuki]

I love you. My favorite character is Ashitaka hands down.

[@slackerengi2401]

Who doesn't?

[@COLONELCA13]

They're playing all the movies at my local theaters for Ghibli Fest, gonna watch all of them.

[@mordant221]

Me too, Studio Ghibli in general. I have every single one of their movies, someday I'll be watching them with my kids.

[@xwarrior760]

+Veronika It's not weird. It's just an artistic choice. And moreover if anime characters looked like actual japanese people the variety would have to be much lower since Japanese people look similar.

[@sunweaver]

Please more of this. I´m tired of nihilism :P

[@WaffleCake]

Ikr?!

[@TheRachaelLefler]

It's like nihilism has been done so much that it doesn't mean anything anymore. *wink*

[@ObjectiveZoomer]

man, if you're tired of nihilism, you have got to watch some Jordan Peterson lectures.

[@yesterdaysguy]

haha yeah - no kidding eh?

[@claudelarose8831]

Rachel Lefler Good one! I like this!

[@wuhugm]

Perfectly Balanced As all things should be

[@Figue-]

Alexander Reinfield That’s a quote from a Pandaren monk right ?

[@ezraelreynolds3442]

@@Figue- no

[@Figue-]

Ezrael Reynolds Okay then where does this quote originate from then ?

[@ezraelreynolds3442]

@@Figue- thanos from infinity war

[@Figue-]

Ezrael Reynolds Well yes he does say it about the little knife, however Pandaren Monks have been saying it for years, and Infînity War came out just a year ago. It therefore definitely does not come from Thanos. It’s probably an old saying, that both Thanks and Pandaren have used.

[@thexyayxmaker]

In our current climate crises, it feels like the Shinto belief is the way to go.

[@HelgaCavoli]

To think we should never had come down this way.

[@saitenotoshuitsnaini]

That Brazil president need to watch some Miyazakis

[@waybach]

How dare you

[@_drnova1064]

Alternatively we could just double down on science and invent functional nuclear fusion reactors and then all of our enviroment based issues are resolved.

[@TheAcdcninja]

DrNova _ not really. We still have to care. That’s the problem with western materialism. We think that we can be smart enough to solve problems we don’t really care enough about. I think the point is you have to care to truly solve a problem. But here in the west we just want to leave all the solving to some expert coming up with a magic solution that means we don’t have to care

[@leonardowatch6997]

"wierd cat, bus thing, seriously, I don't know what to call that" Catbus. It's name is Catbus.

[@ProfessorM]

No mention of Kiki? The movie that teaches kids about responsibility and respect?

[@jotabeas22]

ProfessorM. There are more they did not mention. Don't worry.

[@ProfessorM]

yea but i think kiki's philosophy runs pretty deep in other miazaki films as well.

[@jotabeas22]

ProfessorM. Oh, of course. That much we can agree on. You can see it in Ponjo and Nausicaa as well.

[@ProfessorM]

i guess we love his films too much to be satisfied by any such video eh

[@jotabeas22]

ProfessorM. Yeah, you could say so. Studio Ghibli has spawned some really good films - then again you have things like Tales from Earthsee juxtaposed to Graveyard of the Fireflies, so... But oh, well.

[@15sep93]

“The walt disney of anime” lost me right there

[@clifb.3521]

I think the guy Walt Disney was a decent guy//not to be confused with Walt Disney company as it is now

[@brycevo]

I love Studio Ghibli. They're amazing.

[@CalmBreez]

I love philosophy and anime. Thanks to wisecrack for this kind of content.

[@lancelikessause]

Moe Rahman it's more like relgions and anime

[@VSM101]

Veronika Daisy lmao triggers much

[@JonathanGonzalez-zg5vf]

Moe Rahman for sure

[@jazz4778]

Veronika Daisy That's traditionally how anime characters have been drawn and among anime creators it's become an accepted norm. I'm not sure why that's the case but I've heard it might be just easier for characters and facial expressions to be drawn that way. Also, there are Japanese with a similar natural hair colour to Chihiro, so I wouldn't say she really looks all that Caucasian.

[@jazz4778]

Veronika Daisy Why French/German specifically? Why not British, or American, or Scandinavian, or Russian? There's nothing to set those apart in terms of physical appearance. I never really said I thought Chihiro looks specifically Asian. I personally think her design's kind of ambiguous in that regard, but because we're told she's Japanese I just see her that way anyway. Also, when a character who is stated to be specifically NOT Japanese the designers usually go out of their way to show that (which unfortunately often results in resorting to stereotypes, though that's a whole issue in and of itself).

[@akromakroma]

A Miyazaki video? Wisecrack, may all your bacon be juicy and crispy to the perfect degree.

[@juliuscroft1231]

akromakroma this needs more upvotes lol

[@Ikiratuki]

Only the juiciest and crispiest will do.

[@Myvoetisseer]

Don't you mean to the perfect balance?

[@Fadilanse]

that will be my new go to sentence for blessing people

[@EmanuelRay3232]

I'm in bed and that just made me sooooo hungry (thanks a lot) haha

[@JohnHill]

we definitely don't have dominion over the earth

[@jubelant]

Nope God has

[@rangalewis2993]

Oh sick it’s John hill! Keep shredding bro

[@sonny8456]

You dont

[@AnkurPandeyef]

that hasn't stopped white people from trying!

[@kapothegod]

you stay seeing john comment on random shit😂😂

[@DomCristante]

Nausicaa is my favorite ghibli movie, just hearing the "la la la" for a brief moment gives me goose bumps

[@e1evenXneve1e]

Watched it with my girlfriend for this first time this weekend and she cried as hard as I did she's a keeper

[@talideon]

I wouldn't read too much into 'kami' not having a plurality form, because Japanese nouns aren't marked for plurality in the first place.

[@angelabautista6795]

Kami in Tagalog is the same meaning too. It's an odd word, when we say kami it means US but in a singular sense. Idk.

[@is2798]

KAMI is close to the meaning of God but quite different. SHINTO has YAOYOROZUNOKAMI. In kanji it is written as 800 gods. There are many meanings imaginative. It exists in everything from a small insect in the natural world, plants and the universe. And there are God in numbers and words. KAMI's KA means gravity. MI is the meaning of light. KAMI screws light into the dent by applying gravity to the spiral. So we have KAMI in all of us. The universe is in the center of ourselves. I am sorry that my English words are hard to understand.

[@is2798]

The Emperor has inherited three kinds of sacred treasure over a very long time. But the Emperor is prohibited from opening it and seeing it. It is probably a message from KAMI.

[@SkaiCyan]

@@is2798 Your English is fine, perfect even. I was able to understand all of it, which isn't easy given the subject matter in the first place, lol.

[@is2798]

@SkaiCyan Thank you for your reply. Japanese seems to have many non-religious people, but since SHINTO customs are originally familiar with life, it is not difficult. For example, to bow on a daily basis and express appreciation. It is also meaningful for Hayao Miyazaki's animation that bad people turn into ally. It is SHINTO which enshrines a mirror, not a humanoid God. It is a mirror with 8 points. That mirror will be 1 to 8 and 9 will be 0. It circulates. To reflect on the mirror is myself. Ancient Japanese are strange.

[@mari9456]

*SEES MIYAZAKI IN TITLE* *INSTANTLY CLICKS*

[@Ikiratuki]

It's not even a choice.

[@noneofyoubeesneez3713]

So true

[@vasdgod]

He is not the Walt Disney of anime but Walt Disney is the Hayao Miyazaki of cartoon.

[@sanmamiac]

As an environmental lawyer and a giant fan of Miyazaki, you just spoke my heart. Thank you for this wonderful video ! ❤

[@nasserharbi7839]

Miyazaki is a genius. My favorite work of his is Bloodborne.

[@NaikoArt]

lul

[@Lemmy_Kilturtle]

Is it something with the name? Because yeah both Miyazakis I know are pretty fuckin' swell guys

[@nasserharbi7839]

Lemmy Kilturtle if you find a third one, then I'm naming my non Japanese kid Miyazaki.

[@nasserharbi7839]

Isami Yuzuriha I'm sure my kid won't mind.

[@Me-qn3bv]

It’s a masterpiece

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

Weird timing. I recently decided to write one of the last papers of my degree about war and technology in Miyazaki's "Howl's Moving Castle". This video is a nice summary of Miyazaki's POV!

[@arianafox365]

SimplyMayaB but not one mention of it in this video! Bah! One of my favorites Miyazaki did ☹️☹️

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

ariana moore yeah, I think it's his most pacifist film rather than eco-philosophical (it has that ingredient too, it's just not as heavily emphasized) so maybe that's why. It's a beautiful film though.

[@ru832k7ji3]

@@arianafox365 ....because the original story is written by Diana Wynne Jones

[@Zulmamwe]

Hey, can you give a link to your work? I'd like to read it!

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

@@Zulmamwe It's not in English unfortunately :(

[@Michformer]

I feel like Transcendentalism is (roughly speaking) the Western equivalent of what Miyazaki espouses in his flicks. The likes of Emerson and Thoreau stated that nature is where we find and become ourselves instead of being pressured by a mean ol’ industrialized society to remain a cog devoid of will to power and self-actualization. A bit like a mashup of environmentalism and individualism.

[@hopelesscreative6977]

PPL who think they know anout anime: "Anime was a mistake" - Miyazaki Me a Anime Intecula: This quote was never actucally said, it was a comedic tranlation error. The actucal quote that Miyazak said about his modern day comperatorys was "Human who cant stand looking at other humans". He is tired of anime being the same variation of "typical 2d anime girl" and not being complex, similar to his work (Funny because most of his charcarters look the same to). He is frustrated with how the anime industry is only following thier ideas of what japense animation is suppose to look like. Miyazki is not invested in anime as a fan, he is only intersted in expressing his life views througth his work. Which just so happens to be animation. Outside of his work he is not that into the anime community. There is also a big thing in anime where the empashies is to follow other industry trends and styles, so instead of reflecting cultral ideals of the world around them and ppl who make it. It cares more about reflecting other anime and the insider undertsanding of the anime industry. the 1980 anime rennasce brougth a new subcultre to the world of anime. The people who grew up wacthing anime now became the people making anime. A crcitucal shift occured becasue the for-runners of japense animation were not art students primarly. This isnt bad but now in a sence "The inamtes were running the asuylum". Think about how almost every single anime has a callback to other animes that is so ingranded in the medium that they become unatrual to not use them. Miyazhkis main problem is that otaku cultre only cares about other oatku cultre and no longer cares about the world around them. The japence animation art style is inbred, isntead of ilerating on life drawling, it iterates on its self. He is deeply concerned that animanotr of today are more intersted in the world of anime and them selfs instead of the world around them. This is imprtant if you undertand how much miyazki cares about the world and how he feels about ppl obesseion with technology and there lost connections to nature and their world.

[@BlackavarWD]

I'm surprised there aren't a bunch of * comments 😜

[@YumegakaMurakumo]

I 100% agree with him.

[@authorbhattacharjee4957]

So basically he's sad that good anime arent being made only anime with bobs and Vagana along with blood and mindless gore are getting the spotlight I wholeheartedly agree with him

[@Gekkko]

I think you need to learn how to spell first

[@darksyner7682]

Paper cuts are just trees getting back at humans for cutting them down. Does this mean kami posses my paper?

[@jazz4778]

I'm here wondering if that's a pun because the Japanese word for paper 紙 (kami) is pronounced the same as the word for god or spirit 神 (kami). If so, then bravo my friend *applauds*

[@BlackavarWD]

It's not possessed by... it just IS.

[@cmck1777]

Blackavar is right - Kami (and shinigami) aren't like Western spirits. They're more manifestations of awe. There's also a great deal of a sense of humor around Shinto... post WW2 when it was used as the rationale for horrible, horrible things... but yes. The paper itself is not kami. What paper has enabled - society? - is kami. So if there was a paper spirit, it would probably be interested in order, history, language, structure. And given the roots of trees and the order of forests... that works pretty well!

[@chapachuu]

Yes, there are paper kami...or kami of paper. However you want to put it.

[@ihsaningersoll9232]

Haven’t seen it yet. I will say though that Miyazaki has called himself a cynic and he says he wants his films to make the next generation have good and pure ideals so they’re better than us so his films are not cynical If that’s covered in the video I’ll delete/ edit the comment

[@coreym162]

philosophy and ideals are words until those word have worked in practice. Yet, Japan is a worse industrial mess than America and much of the West so....

[@ihsaningersoll9232]

Yeah his films are putting it into practice

[@danchris2293]

There is always a middle path. We can be symbiotic with Earth and utilize her natural energy whilst respecting her right to live and thrive. The notion that plantlife feels empathy is already empirically recorded, Earth is literally primordial plantlife meaning there is intelligent awareness of the pollution, suffocation, and demolition occurring in multiple regions throughout the globe since the rise of industrialism. I appreciate this video, esp bc i appreciate Miyazaki, for doing his part in bringing awareness to future generations of how important our home is, and how respecting her isnt submission to her (ie, living as indigenous tribes), but rather progression. in this emerging age of innovation, i have faith that we will see many clean, unified, and progressive societies, including America

[@Bradlyeon]

I actually cringed when you called him the "Walt Disney of anime"

[@nerd_alert927]

Same. I hate people comparing him to Walt Disney.

[@pattonramming1988]

You are right to cringe Disney has no creativity these days

[@ieatgremlins]

Patton Ramming Walt Disney and Disney are two very different things.

[@justincholos.balisang6884]

Disney's reputation is forever tainted.

[@ferdinandmiles2979]

Studio Ghibili still in my heart 4ever

[@StorytellerStudios]

Another great video. I love Miyazaki, including the pacing of his films. My Neighbor Totoro takes its time and allows us to thoroughly enjoy childhood and the beauty of the countryside. This stands in contrast to our children being entertained by iPads and iPhones with rapid fire gaming and overstimulation. Princess Mononoke is my personal favorite, and I found it interesting that the ruler of Iron Town is not portrayed as totally heartless, which makes for a much more interesting story. As your video states, it causes us to examine the balance between nature and the industrial world. I would note that the Judeo Christian influence is not the same a the misuse of the environment by greedy capitalists. One example would be the Amish, whose value of the land and nature is based in their spiritual belief that God created the heavens and the earth. The bible teaches that we are given domination over nature but this is balanced with our calling to be good stewards of it- we are caring for something that God actually owns and will fully reclaim in the last day. There are those who claim the Judeo-Christian faith who do not abide by this, but there are also those who claim Shintoism as their faith who allow the lure of money to dominate their actions. I would love to see more philosophy of Miyasaki, as there is much more to explore!

[@miguelatkinson]

So we own nothing yeah I would rather go with the shinto veiw of nature and humanity how where all interconnected and should relay on one another not being tenets for some bastardly landlord.

[@PhyreI3ird]

Something that I just need to say is I love how thoughtful most of the comments are here. Not all wisecrack videos are given the same treatment but this one in particular is awesome x) Good stuff guys!

[@cinedojo8252]

Miyazaki’s movies are beautiful and so full of spirit. Great to see them given some love

[@HerrFenrisWolf]

Nice episode, I love Miyazaki movies. As far as I know, shinto wasn't a religion at all. It is more a accumulation of different myths of ghosts, demons, gods and so on and so on, but nothing like a inherent structured belief system.Whch makes it especially able to use it for every mystical plot. The japanese people who participate in shinto aren't religious, it is more a tradition. Like when we Germans arrange a Maypole or celebrate Krampus (or some other regional character). There was a political attempt to interpret shinto as a proto japanese religion, but that was more a ideological thing.

[@pyayaXC]

HerrFenrisWolf, wasn't the beleif system of shintoism the bedrock for imperial Japan's government/society pre-WW2? I think that'd qualify it as a religion.

[@HerrFenrisWolf]

There were similiar attempts here in Germany pre- and in WW2 to create something "pure German". But these things are really more identity policy, to deposite the Japanese or German people from others, than "old" or proto religions. Researches discuss since a long time if shinto existed as a "real" religion and if so, when. Shinto today really isn't that kind of thing, even Japanese people who participate in the rituals wouldn't call themself religious. What brings me back to my point of Maypole traditions, Krampus and other simliar things in Germany. There is a lot of this stuff in the countryside in Germany. Where I grew up, there is "a ritual" to banish the winter, which has the form of a demon-man made out of straw, who hunts children and marks them with black paint (which just really is a tall guy in a straw suit, with a mask who hunts little children and screams like hell). And there are some more characters, who have to banish the demon. At the end of the day the demon (the straw suit) will be burned. The folks do this every year (which is quite nice when you are a child) but there isn't a religious connection for anyone who participate.

[@KookiesNolly]

I gotta be honest, at first I read your comment normally but when I reached the part where you said you're from Germany I​ started reading it with a stereotypical German accent in my head. I don't know why.

[@jazz4778]

To add to that, there are a lot of Japanese folk stories and legends that are influenced by Buddhism as much as Shinto, and from my understanding the two are sort of mutually inclusive within Japan; there's a lot of crossover between the ideas of each one.

[@KookiesNolly]

Jazz Dowswell yes Buddhism and Shinto live peaceful together in Japan and Japanese people usually practice both on some levels Actually people say that in Japan you get married Shinto and die Buddhist.

[@villekokkomaki]

Everything in life turns out to be something to do with equilibrium in the end.

[@keerthilanka9039]

True that

[@rubenzavala2084]

That's my take on life as well

[@splakacheus]

Content like this is the reason why i love wisecrack in the first place. You da man Jared.

[@harsyakiarraathallah2222]

Shinto is about Caring and Understanding Nature

[@-zephyressence-2018]

Do you ever just watch a KZbin video and wish you were as verbally consise as these KZbinrs? I do. Lol

[@Azivegu]

A good video, but I do find the use of english language dubs as rather painful xD Plus you missed the part of how Miyazaki uses children because they embody the innocence in the world and how they are often ignored by adults, as if their opinion doesn't matter, but they live as lively, if not more, lives as adults. How children can experience a full range of emotions and, with the right guidance, be able to understand them.

[@JellybellyWaffles]

Azivegu Disney did a good job with the English dubs. And I almost never listen to dubs

[@vitorkk328]

Azivegu You are right, in some parts the dub totally changes the meaning and message of a scene, like the end of Ponyo

[@HaseoOkami]

Get over it

[@Azivegu]

@The Nothing Man, you think it annoys me, but really it just bothers me. I dont watch La Vita a Bella in English, but it doesnt keep me awake that people do. Do you?

[@elizabethwhitman7846]

Sometimes people that watch these video's are young and can't read, or are blind, and as English is the most spoken language using the English dubs makes the most sense in reaching a wider audience.

[@dem8568]

I've watched almost all of Miyazaki's stuff multiple times and never thought about the Shinto connection. Thanks, Wisecrack!

[@Pooyan-qc3ff]

I was waiting for this video for a long time, thank you

[@AthenaBaucum]

"Miyazaki's darkest work, Princess Mononoke" Grave of the Fireflies: am i a joke to you?

[@jimmywu1011]

That's not Miyazaki's work.

[@AthenaBaucum]

@@jimmywu1011 sssssshhhhhhhhh they don't know that

[@adroitws1367]

@@jimmywu1011 whose work then? tell the information -_-

[@jimmywu1011]

@@adroitws1367 Isao Takahata

[@harshshitole6293]

Isao Takahata

[@rajiano]

Fourth. My Fiancee got into Miyazaki because I showed her "Howl's moving Castle". Now she is a bigger fan than I am. The power of Miyazaki! She hated cartoons (As she referred to them) before :)

[@Ju-lj5ff]

oludemilade raji This makes me very happy :) I wish you too the best ! Hello from France 🙂

[@rajiano]

Thanks so much Ju. Wish you the very best as well :)

[@NameHierEinfuegen]

This is why I fell in love with anime so many years ago. At its height it can combine art, philosophy and entertainment in a way no other medium can.

[@noneofyoubeesneez3713]

My friend used to despise Miyazaki movies. I showed him My Neighbor Totoro and he thinks they’re okay now... Power of Miyazaki!

[@BlackavarWD]

Anime is something that needs to be introduced carefully. Show someone the wrong "first anime" and they'll likely withdrawl further. Like Pokemon... good intro for kids, not so much for adults. Gotta start 'em young! Maybe they will learn that riceballs aren't donuts! D'oh! 😜

[@rachumsmcone9184]

There are so many things I love about the ideals of shinto and eastern philosophy. I'm honored to have learned so much about these concepts over the years.

[@rezkalla]

I've watched a lot of videos on Miyazaki and this is the first one which recognizes the Shintoism. Thank you.

[@Nickle_King]

These ideas are simple. Balance. It's like in the truest form of hunting. You must kill to eat, but you must never forget that what you killed was once alive. It had feelings, goals, and, probably, a family. That means that it deserves respect and to be treated with a measure of reverence. Does that mean all of humanity should give up meat? No. Meat is an essential part of a person's diet. But, it does mean that killing should only be when necessary, and treated with dignity.

[@orkromhulapai5472]

Well, animals do not care about others than their own species, or even only their breeding partner. Its the foodchain, and we are on top. For now. Also, wolves and orcas for example kill not only to eat, but sometimes also for the fun of it. Finally, animals, as they do only have a limited perception of the future, do not really have goals exceeding their own short term happiness. Sorry for the depressing speech, but its the way I see it.

[@danman1950]

Lmao meat is definitely not essential. Just look up vegan bodybuilders and youll see that you can be completely healthy without eating meat or anything made from animals.

[@EagleZtoTheGrave]

Nick K true, salute. A lot of the time it's the simple that gets overlooked

[@36inc]

veganism is a tough diet that takes alot of focus body builders can afford that- your average worker cannot. plus they build there body not for practical reasons but because of image. veganism is for those with money and time, working 40 - 60 hours at a real job doesnt allow you to do the research or the health checks required for such a life style. Ive seen it tried plenty of times and they often abandon it because of this.

[@orkromhulapai5472]

danman1950 There are certain proteins we can only gain through meat, and are essential to humans, so unless you’re going to take a lot of chemicals and drugs, you‘ll not live healthy.

[@chriskelly5823]

It's called "The Catbus" surprisingly enough

[@oriane4883]

definitly my favourite channel

[@HelgaCavoli]

Wow. A whole new level of appreciation for Miyazaki.

[@TheLazyKey]

Wow I never really put two and two together and realized how environmentalist his movies were. I love them even more now.

[@jazz4778]

TheLazyKey Tbf Miyazaki is one of the most unsubtle artists I've seen in terms of how he communicates his political beliefs, and I respect him for it. Still, I guess if you're not used to politically analysing stuff then it might still go a bit over your head.

[@thesephiam]

Fair take on his philosophy. Now, as always... please bring Thug Notes back to KZbin. I won’t get Facebook.

[@andrews9615]

I think all of these are both beautiful and amazing stories!

[@yasminbull2143]

Thank you so much for this!

[@dommo2803]

Remarkable work as always, guys. Though I think that original japanese dialogue with subs adds more to the overall experience. Keep 'em coming... P.S. I strongly insist that you should make the "Philosophy of Legacy of Kain"...😉

[@Gwynncore]

THANK YOUU!!! This one was long awaited. Keep with the nature themes and do Philosophy of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

[@sotakunaii]

beautiful video!! thanks a lot

[@aliceinwonderland42020]

These movies always cheer me up and make me happy it’s just magical und peaceful and how I would love life to be ❤️

[@CJusticeHappen21]

You know, when South Park did their combination of Lovecraft and Miyazaki (sleepy Cthulhu, who needs a tummy rub?), I thought it was just for fun. But now I want to see a greater crossover between Shinto and Old Ones.

[@Drago_Nyx]

Interesting idea, but the Great Old Ones wouldn't be friendly to Humanity or the world.

[@prometheus9096]

@Anthony the Great Old Ones where never described as pure evil by Lovecraft (In fact Lovecraft dosent liked the good and evil way of thinking). They just beyond anything a human mind could possibly understand or comprehend so people who get into contact with them go insane. Plus the great old ones dont care any more about humantiy than an average human would care about some ants. The only old one who maybe actually care (in his strange way) about humanity might be Nyarlathotep.

[@darwinxavier3516]

As long as we get to see old ones popping Justin Beiber's head like a grape.

[@TheRachaelLefler]

Prometheus yeah, I tend to think of Cthulu and pals in the original stories as being more mutually incomprehensible to us than evil. To be evil they would have to be playing the same game on the same field. It's more like what TV Tropes refers to as "blue and orange morality".

[@tomtik101]

I want Cthulhu to milly rock at my funeral.

[@kaitlnwhite6809]

Thank you so much for another anime video! Could you guys please do FLCL (Fooly Cooly)?

[@krazypipe]

Brilliant, just ran across this video and its truly brilliant. Never realized the fundamental binding force behind Miyazaki's work. Yes, I accept you got it right.

[@marziasadat5979]

My thoughts about Myazaki? I'm just so proud I grew up with his anime and I'm 20 now yet I watch them over and over again. Spirited away holds a very special place in my heart 💜

[@Zanyotaku]

Where was this video when I was taking a seminar on EcoTheology?! You just put like 1/6th of our semester (and my final project) of disorganized rambling into this video!

[@samboyo9372]

Princess Mononoke

[@Ikiratuki]

Objectively the best film ever made. Hehe

[@samboyo9372]

I agree 100% it is definitely the best film ever made :)

[@carvman217]

Sam Boyo Indeed, let us all

[@hkr667]

Shout-out to the beautiful soundtrack of that film, made by Joe Hisaishi.

[@TheDingsBoms]

Great work as always guys

[@Myp3ik]

Thank you for the great content you are making. Love every video you make! And thank you for the skillshare premium ;)

[@s.g.7572]

Mmm, I’ve always thought Miyazaki’s most defining feature is his respect towards childhood rather than nature. This could honestly be a two-parter.

[@yanshero42]

I think calling Osamu Tezuka the Japanese Walt Disney would be more appropriate but whatever

[@Kitty-dv3mk]

one of the 2 can be pixar

[@Aniket7172]

@@Kitty-dv3mk Tezuka created Mangas, not animations like Walt and Hayao

[@ethanvaladez9377]

Actually he was involved with adapting his works into early anime.

[@ethanvaladez9377]

He is the guy who wrote that manga every one thinks Lion King ripped off.

[@Crazylazy4201]

Thank you for this!!

[@globes179]

I live here in Japan. I can tell you about this. I was struck by this concept when a student talked about cleaning your toilet. If you're sick in you stomach or the like, you should clean your toilet, then the toilet kami will be happier and you'll feel better. This Shinto way of thinking is that life exists in everything, and that the well-being of everything impacts your well being. So the main idea of Shinto is take care of the things around you, then they'll take care of you.

[@Shy-xm4kn]

Well that's certainly true in nature but the image of a toliet kami is cracking me up 🤣

[@aashishthakur77]

Disney is all about making money, Miyazaki is about creating "ART". big difference.

[@KaoruSugimura]

"And a giant walking God becomes a big pain in the ass" xD that was pretty good.

[@marywinchester1322]

Man I learn something new about Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli every time. They deserve all the ocars for best animated movies and a Studio Ghibili Disney theme park!

[@HAZENATA]

I loved castle in the sky it feels like your in a dream everytime you watch it

[@thatpedanticcommenter5847]

Spirited Away was my second favorite movie of all time. May have been my first, if the movie Inception didn't have inspirational value to my choice in studies/careers.

[@dougdimmedome5552]

“The only thing japan has more of than stones is vending machines” Sounds like the beginning of a George Carlin joke.

[@TheNewFlutist]

Ooooh there's so much more to talk about! I was hoping that this was going to focus on Miyazaki's dualist narrative of male and female. Basically every movie of his has a male and female protagonist at its center, who come to depend on each other and strengthen each other's weaknesses. Make a Part 2!

[@firsttimeisawjupiter1031]

Amazing work on this video, guys!

[@Alexis-hn1yw]

People: Just lets use wild life and nature, its there just for us, is in da bibleeee Covid 19: Hold my beer

[@Ind3mnity]

Do the philosophy of Vladimir Nabokov

[@jonathanangulo1235]

I love the way how's moving castle shows magic and progress being used for different purposes than just war. Howl uses his spells to maintain his freedom and stop conflict. The spiritual magic is just as applicable to violence as technology. The ending with a return to love, family, and peace.

[@LeemonadePVP]

Great video. Keep up the great work.

[@samuelhaines3685]

I'm a simple man, I see a video having to do with Miyazaki, I like it.

[@noneofyoubeesneez3713]

Samuel Haines I’m with you on that

[@BlackavarWD]

You don't know what to call the cat bus thing? Try Catbus, since...that's what it is.😆 Also... I loved this: (Ponyo) "Half the town looks like a coloring book page inspired by The Day After Tomorrow" 😂

[@PinkBunnySlipers]

Nuasica was my favorite movie as a kid going up, love to see it get some respect!

[@jammrock9286]

Excellent video! More like this please.

[@harbl99]

No mention of Pom Poko, where a bunch of Tanuki fight against the construction of a new mall?

[@Noxsolum]

Pom Poko wasn't directed or writen by miyazaki :P While it is studio Ghibli it's not directed by him specifically whereas all the ones Jared mentioned were by miyazaki :P

[@Es_Tay]

Yeah, Pom Poko is written and directed by Isao Takahata.

[@Gemnist98]

RIP

[@ripvanwho]

harbl99 also how a bunch of characters are sitting on a stretchy nut sack.

[@alfonsopayan09]

What’s up guys the subbed guy here again And right now I'm not even caring no more I'll just say what I've said for 4 months now without trying to convince or say anything smart Please do a Cowboy Bebop analysis Jared Have a nice day bye

[@MrOzzification]

A general Shinchiro Watanabe episode would be cool. Looking Samurai Champloo & Kids on the Slope could be interesting as well as maybe Watanabe's heavy investment in his soundtracks. How many single season animes can you name that have 4 or even 8 albums for their OST?

[@saibata750]

Channel Criswell - The meaning of nothing in cowboy bebop. Watch it.

[@lairheron9489]

Miyazaki is a big influence on me. Such nostalgia now.

[@VaanGogh]

YESSSS!! Love you Wisecrack!!!

[@666melodeath666]

Miyazaki Philosophy: “ Anime was a Mistake”

[@TheRealMichaelH]

That is a bogus quote taken from a fake subtitle.

[@666melodeath666]

Project TsukiNoMe No my birth was an Accident Raising me was the mistake

[@KnightsDisillusion]

Project TsukiNoMe you are THAT salty over cartoons lol

[@LuisSierra42]

He was talking about Berzerk 2016 and High school of the dead

[@j.2512]

@Michael Hayden it wasnt, he really does think anime and otaku are garbage. As he has reiterated over and over in several interviews

[@InMaTeofDeath]

Hawaiians are really loving nature atm.

[@Es_Tay]

Literally, everything in life is about balance. I can't understand why so many people in the world don't get that. The way Miyazaki's work has been broken down here makes me realise yet another reason why I love him so much.

[@kasares17]

This was great! Thanks Jared! I've always liked Miyasaki films but never understood really why, thank you! Wish you tlaked more about the secret world of arriety

[@sonanjamfa8845]

Please wisecrack do the philosophy of the anime: Psycho Pass please

[@abrahamborja292]

me too what is the jugde and enforcer and could be a philosophy of madoka (a previous work from the autor) the philosophy of total despair

[@elizabethwhitman7846]

Your wish came true!

[@Archontasil]

Do hidetaka

[@TrampMachine]

About time

[@jeandelenfant]

Castle in the Sky has long been buried in my childhood memories. I attempted several times to remember it over the years, until now.