Japanese Anime Director Miyazaki to Release New Film Next Summer

Oscar-winning and world-famous Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki will release the new animated film “Kimitachi wa Do Ikiru ka” (How Do You Live?) in July 2023, according to Toho Co. on Tuesday.

The film, which will be premiered on July 14, is Miyazaki's first new feature film in 10 years. His latest release was "Kaze Tachinu" (The Wind Rises) in 2013.

The film is based on a 1937 best-selling book written by Genzaburo Yoshino, an editor and writer of children's literature, but the upcoming action adventure and fantasy will feature an original story, according to Studio Ghibli Inc.

A poster for the movie was released on Tuesday, depicting a bird with white and blue feathers drawn by Miyazaki, who will also write the script.

"After talking with Producer Toshio Suzuki, I have a feeling that it will be a youthful fantasy story," said Minami Ichikawa, Toho director, and senior managing executive officer, at a press conference.

Miyazaki's works are popular both in Japan and abroad. His fantasy film "Spirited Away" won the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival's Golden Bear in 2002 and the American Academy Award for Animated Feature Film in 2003.

His other major credits include the acclaimed classic “My Neighbor Totoro” in 1988, “Princess Mononoke” in 1997, and “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” in 1984.

Miyazaki's animated films are known for their critical views of modern civilization and their sense of awe toward nature.

The legendary Japanese animator announced in 2013 that he was retiring, citing difficulties in making films due to his age. But he finally came out of retirement in 2017 to work on the movie "Kimitachi wa Do Ikiru ka".