The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises (2013). Director: Hayao Miyazaki

With a career spanning across half a century, Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement last year. If he was serious about it this time, The Wind Rises could be his last animation. Of course there is no way for me to know if Mr. Mayazaki had deliberately chosen to tell this story as his last, I do believe that this story must be dear and near to his heart. The Wind Rises is not necessarily Mr. Miyazaki’s finest work, but it does set itself apart from many of his previous films in a number of ways. In the case that this will indeed become Mr. Miyazaki’s last feature-length animation, I want to write down my thoughts and dedicate them to him and his work.

Most of Mr. Miyazaki’s films take place in fictional, steampunk universes that border between realism and fantasy. Even in those with more realistic settings such as My Neighbor Totoro and Porco Rosso, surreal elements still form the heart of the story. In those films, supernatural things are just part of the storyline; they don’t even appear as dream sequences or assume the form of metaphors. In The Wind Rises, however, Miyazaki uses surreal elements to trace the stream of consciousness of the protagonist and make them merge seamlessly into the reality. Since the story is loosely based on the biography of Jiro, a Japanese plane designer, those fantay-esque sequences trace thoughts and emotions of the main character vividly and make them unfurl in front of the audience. I think The Wind Rises demonstrates Mr. Miyazaki’s masterful way of using fantasy elements to enhance the reality of a story. 

I also appreciate the way this film honors dedication to one's passion as a virtue. Perhaps this is why Mr. Miyazaki chose to tell this story as his last. Watching this film, I couldn’t help seeing Miyazaki himself in Jiro on the screen; how they both dedicated all their lives doing something they felt passionate about. Jiro spent all his life designing and perfecting airplanes, and Miyazaki animations. I would like to think of The Wind Rises as Miyazki’s salute to a man, or a way of living, that he relates deeply to. 

I don’t know if Miyazaki’s announcement of retirement will come true. If it does, The Wind Rises will be a heartfelt farewell from Miyazaki to his beloved animation, and we as audience should tip our hats to the ideal that this film honors and to the master behind its making.