Hayao Miyazaki, one of anime’s greatest directors, shockingly has no interest in Pokémon, despite its global success and widespread recognition.

SUMMARY

Hayao Miyazaki is widely regarded as one of the most influential anime directors in the industry, with his work leaving a lasting legacy.
Despite his immense influence, Miyazaki has consistently expressed no interest in Pokémon, one of the most globally recognized anime franchises.
It’s surprising that even with Pokémon’s worldwide fame, Miyazaki has never acknowledged or engaged with the series.

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most celebrated storytellers of our time, founding Studio Ghibli, home to iconic films like Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron, and more. The Studio Ghibli co-founder is regarded as a legendary director and animator whose entire filmography is exceptional.

Hayao Miyazaki | Image by 文部科学省ホームページ, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While fans admire Miyazaki-sensei’s storytelling, the animation studio’s ability to craft breathtaking scenery never fails to leave them in awe. Miyazaki, known for his cynicism, has often expressed disdain for many practices in the anime industry.

He once shared his harsh views on the hugely popular Pokémon series and criticized the negative influence the industry has on today’s youth.

Hayao Miyazaki’s harsh views on the globally beloved Pokémon series

Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli have been often considered to be the greatest duo in the anime industry. The director explores themes such as environmentalism, social justice, and feminism, as well as the various challenges individuals face in the real world.

A still from The Boy and the Heron. Credits: Studio Ghibli

Much like the influence of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, there’s another massive anime franchise that stands equally as popular—and that’s none other than Pokémon.

At the forefront of the anime world lies Pokémon, a dominant force in both the industry and the broader multimedia landscape. With its imaginative universe of powerful creatures, Pokémon has grown into a cultural phenomenon, amassing a net worth of over $100 billion.

Though Pokémon is immensely popular worldwide, Miyazaki has openly admitted that he knows almost nothing about it, as he’s never had any interest in the title. In an old interview, Miyazaki reveals: (via Brian Camp’s Film and Anime Blog)

I know almost nothing about other animation that’s coming out of Japan because it doesn’t interest me. It’s true that a good friend of mine designed Pokemon and I know many of the people who worked on it but I’ve certainly never seen it.

Battling through highs and lows, Ash and Pikachu’s journey to become the Pokémon Master showcased their extraordinary bond as best friends and partners.

Ash and Pikachu from Pokémon | Credits: OLM 

While Ash’s run in the anime ended after 1,232 episodes and 25 years, the prequel named Pokémon Horizons will now continue the show’s legacy.

It’s surprising to find anyone unfamiliar with Pokémon, yet Miyazaki, known for his incredible films, has no interest in what’s arguably the most popular anime series—this revelation is bound to surprise any anime fan.

Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki | Credits-Studio-Ghibli

Back in 1999, Hayao Miyazaki shocked the world with his sudden retirement announcement. However, the legendary director never went through with his original plans and stayed in the industry for the next two decades.

During this period, Miyazaki’s influence only grew stronger, as he worked on another of his popular titles, the now-celebrated Spirited Away.

Miyazaki’s perspective on the rise of live-action and animated media

Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan’s greatest animation directors whose iconic titles have amazed and stunned many successful animators in the Hollywood industry, such as John Lasseter. The storyteller flaunts, creating films that feature complex themes neatly sewn together with well-written characters and bewitching animation.

Not to mention, there’s a deep and thought-provoking wisdom beneath his exciting adventures and magical worlds, which makes his films resonate with audiences of all ages.

In an exclusive interview with Roger Ebert, Miyazaki noted that live-action elements were increasingly merging with animation, blurring the lines between the two mediums.

Haku and Chihiro from Spirited Away. [Credit: Studio Ghibli]

His words hinted at a future where ‘animation’ becomes an all-encompassing term, encompassing various techniques and styles. Fast forward to 2024, and many popular animes are transitioning to live-action, making Miyazaki’s words ring true now.

Not to forget, Spirited Away won the Berlin Film Festival and even passed ‘Titanic’ at the Japanese box office. Moreover, it’s the first title in history to gross $200 million before its release in North America. (via Box Office Mojo)