The Philosophy of Miyazaki - Wisecrack Edition 

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 😜

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

Perfectly Balanced As all things should be

we definitely don't have dominion over the earth

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!

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

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

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.

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

I love Studio Ghibli. They're amazing.

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

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

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.

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

“The walt disney of anime” lost me right there

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.

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

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!

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

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

*SEES MIYAZAKI IN TITLE* *INSTANTLY CLICKS*

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Studio Ghibili still in my heart 4ever

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!

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.

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 :)

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

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

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.

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

Shinto is about Caring and Understanding Nature

Do you ever just watch a RU-vid video and wish you were as verbally consise as these RU-vidrs? I do. Lol

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.

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.

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

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.

Another theme in Miyazaki's work outside of the clear enviromental shinto inspired message is feminism. This is more clear in Princess Mononoke, where it's dealt directly through Lady Eboshi and the woman on the ironworks (who were rescued prostituted and victims of abuse), but you can see almost throught all his work. How often the rpotagonsit of his stories is a young girl, and how never that female protagonist is objectified or lacks of agency and almost always all his female characters has a great degree of depth.

So to answer the question on the end, The golden standard is always the best so try to always be balanced and to see both sides of all things.

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 💜

It's called "The Catbus" surprisingly enough

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

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.

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!

All these people like hating Disney. Like come on our childhood was not complete without Disney. Can't we just love both Disney and Ghibli?

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

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.

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

In Porco Rosso, engineering and technology are viewed as novelty that only humans can master. I think the message in his movies is a lot deeper than what is bad and what's evil. I think the worlds of Miyazaki are constantly attempting to find that equilibrium where earth has a place for humans just like for all other beings, but they don't have to be the center of the world.

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

Do the philosophy of Vladimir Nabokov

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

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

the best way to start respecting nature and the earth itself, recycling everything that can be reused, donate, sell. instead of wasting things in the trash like computers, send them somewhere other then the landfill. things like that will make you feel more happy and rewarded that you did something back for nature giving you that thing. I used to follow shinto when i was in high school, but now a druid.

10:26 "Five minutes without a mask and I'd be dead."- oh my, that hasn't aged well....

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

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

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" 😂

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

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

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

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"...😉

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

Renouncing one's humanity in order to protect something held extremely dear, actually makes a ton of sense.

Shintou in anime and manga is what really got me interested in Japanese mythology and Japanese culture in general. 💜🥰⛩ Bukkyotou (Buddhism) and Hinduism have ties in it as well. Which I love. Shintou is the most wholesome of all "religions."

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

Princess Mononoke

Hawaiians are really loving nature atm.

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.

"Miyazaki's darkest film, Princess mononoke." *Grave of the fireflies just existing in the corner*

As an American, our treatment of nature and our lands, hurts my heart. The majority of Americans are depressed and popping antidepressants when all we really need is more time with our mother (Earth). Democracy has failed our world’s health. To those that don’t realize our earth is conscious and giving us gentle nudges to change our ways, won’t realize that it will be Mother Earth that shakes us all off once she has reached her limits of our toxicity. Go hug a tree...love y’all

You had me at miyazaki, but in all honesty I believe a balance is required and should be maintained if not regardless of whose winning we all lose

Do John Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy! Do John Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy! Do John Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy! Do John Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy!

I deeply respect this man. Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon are the one of those rare geeks who realizes the fact women are much mature and grown up people than geeky men.

Definitely why i fell for ghibli movies.. bcoz of it's nature theme.. nausicaa is the oldest and yet the very best miyazaki film for me.. it was in 1984 way before i was born.. come to think of it miyazaki was kinda genius to foretell, our age just at 2021 when masks are a thing not to breathe covid, like the spores in nausicaa and now almost apocalyptic.. not hard to realize how much we really are polluting this planet.. and the ohms are not the enemies.. they are the heroes trying to purify the planet back.. the underground scene in the sand was my favorite scene it really stuck in my head..for that's my dream to see our planet in its most pure and pristine form just like nausicaa did..when will i ever see that tho..

8:58 am i the only one that caught that they just linked "rationality" with [complete disregard for one's shared ecosystem]? : /

Anyone else low key bugged how he says “PONYO”?

Philosophy of Martin Scorsese

One thing to be wary of: Miyazaki makes it explicit that he does not create evil characters. He does not like the idea of dichotomizing people into good and evil for children as it reduces the fact that these characters are complex beings with thoughts, wants, needs, and feelings.

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

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

Philosophy of Satoshi Kon please!

Do hidetaka

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

After watching Miyazaki films i experience calmness.

Wouldn't respecting spirits because you know that this behaviour will encourage spirits to be more likely to help you later on still be considered selfish?

0:13 why is Pom Poko there, it's not a Miyazaki film (it's one of many non-Miyazaki Ghibli movies). The 11th movie should be Castle of Cagliostro

Well frankly, moderation is a magic word but a tough sell.

Just for reminders, No Face in Spirited Away was mainly "A Good Guy" character who simply wanted to be Chahero's friend and only got Scary to teach the other characters in the bath house a lesson.

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!