The pseudo-retired animation legend Hayao Miyazaki is certainly keeping busy despite stepping away from feature directing duties (so far, at least). The 74-year-old maestro behind Oscar winner Spirited Away and recent historical fantasy The Wind Rises has announced plans to create a forest retreat for children.
Utilizing local industries and exclusively local products, the nature park project will reportedly be inspired by the globally beloved works of Studio Ghibli — the acclaimed production house Miyazaki co-founded with Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki and Yasuyoshi Tokuma in 1985.
This surely magical experience is set to open to the public in 2018 and will be located in the midst of virgin forest on Kume Island (Kumejima), about 55 miles from Okinawa, according to Kyodo News. Kids will be bunked in small, two-story structures that can accommodate about 30 people at a time, and will be encouraged to experience “a raw connection with nature.”
The day has come.
Only Hayao Miyazaki, he always seems to surprise us all with greatness! True inspiration to all animators out there!
Yes.
What’s the big deal? Certainly not particularly original. There are plenty of magical forest parks already in existance: Yosemite, Yellowstone… Commercializing a plot of forest isn’t anything new, and I doubt he’ll be able to outdo the Grand Tetons or Glacier Mountain National Park.