—You have always said that what you want to make is “films” and not “anime.” But what is popular abroad seems to be anime. What do you see as the problem with anime? MIYAZAKI: The major source for Japanese animation is manga, whose greatest characteristic is its method of expression centered on emotions. In order to express emotions, space and time

But let’s return now to the more specific subject of Japanese anime. Japanese anime is the result of creating animation based on original Japanese manga stories, of appropriating manga character designs, and absorbing the power of manga; it generally has involved assembling production staffs of young men and women who are aspiring manga artists. Th

Some people also suffer from the misconception that Isao Takahata-san and I are both some sort of environmentalists, and that we will make a film out of anything as long as it has an ecological theme or message. Nothing could be further from the truth. Such a film would be like a big fat dried-up log, propped upright. What we need is a living thing

MIYAZAKI: Even if the buildings are interesting, the problem is what’s inside. No matter how resourcefully one builds a prison, it is, after all, a prison.