'I've reached my limit,' says acclaimed animator Hayao Miyazaki as he retires
Famed animator, 72, says he's retiring because it will take him too long to make another film
Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki announced he was retiring from making feature-length movies yesterday, saying he had "reached his limit" and would pursue other projects in lieu of directing and animating feature films.
One of animation's most admired and successful directors, Miyazaki is well-known both in Japan and abroad for films such as and for which he won an Oscar in 2003.
The 72-year-old said the reasons for his retirement had nothing to do with criticism his latest work, , had drawn from radical right-wing Japanese who lashed out at the film for carrying a subtle anti-war message. Instead, he explained that his failing eyesight and a desire to "do other things" had led to this decision.
"When you reach my age there are many moments when you just can't stand [it] any more. When that happens I put my pencil down and I just go home ... I've reached my limit and can't go further," he said.
Miyazaki explained his "days of making feature films were done", and said if he were to direct another feature-length animated film it would likely take six to seven years, which was simply too long for his liking. had taken his company, Studio Ghibli, five years to create, he revealed.
"[In the past,] we could make films in four and five months," Miyazaki said. "But during that time, my staff and I were younger and we often said that creating these movies was a 'once in a lifetime' event. Now, you can't demand your staff work at this pace forever, because people get older and they have to choose between work and family."
