Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Wind Rises, has received the nod in the Oscar’s Best Animated Featured Film category, delighting fans of the iconic animator and director.
The Wind Rises, a story based on the life of Jiro Horikoshi, a Japanese engineer who designed the Zero fighter aircraft during the World War II, was one of the top grossing films in Japan last year.
Although the film’s Oscar nomination was expected, Miyazaki said he was humbled by the honor.
“I think it is a huge honor for my retirement work, “The Wind Rises”, to be nominated. To be so valued overseas is a great honor for th entire staff involved in this work. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone in the Academy who nominated the movie, and everyone who guided it successfully. It would bring me great joy if many people in America get to see the film,” Miyazaki said.
If the film wins, this will be Miyazaki’s second Oscar. He won his first Academy Award for 2002’s Spirited Away. This year, the Studio Ghibli movie will be up against The Croods, Despicable Me 2, Ernest & Celestine, and Frozen, which won the Golden Globe award last week. Fans will have to wait until March to see whether Miyazaki can raise the Oscar again.
Miyazaki announced his retirement after finishing The Wind Rises last year.
Shuhei Morita’s “Possessions” was also nominated in the Best Animated Short Film category. The 14-minute film set in the 18th century depicts the relationship of a man and the spirits of broken tools.
By Maesie Bertumen
