CHAPTER :
A Magical Touch (Essay, Letter, & Artwork included)
With entries from:
Sandra Tsai-Yun   —   8 years ago

Earlier this year I wrote a paper about Miyazaki-san, which was highly praised by my university professor and classmates, because I was able to make them feel the love and inspiration that I have for Miyazaki and his films. After the paper, I have added a letter that I would love to be sent to him with the paper if possible. Artwork is all done by me (inspired by Miyazaki's magical heroines and more).

Here is the paper:
A Magical Touch
By Sandra Tsai-Yun
[[No one has inspired me as much as Hayao Miyazaki. Growing up, watching his films inspired me to draw. I was not very skilled as a child, but I practiced. I practiced and felt like drawing would get me closer to his magical world. His films made me believe in my ability to draw. I aspired to one day tell stories through my artwork and inspire audiences around me.
Most of Hayao Miyazaki’s movies portray strong female heroines. Unlike the conventional weak, defenseless, and useless princess, Miyazaki depicts his female leads as brave, self-sufficient, and “don’t think twice about fighting for what they believe.” Miyazaki often gives his leads a friend to support them, but never to save them, as he believes in the strength found in girls and boys. This portrayal of girls as courageous and independent is rare and valuable to society. This also deeply inspired me to be myself and reject the societal standards that so often attempt to define and categorize each of us.
For me, watching Miyazaki’s films is like a child entering a lively toy store or colorful candy store. Each scene of Miyazaki’s movies is magical. His films are difficult to describe. There is simplicity in the way the characters are drawn; yet there is complexity and detail in background sceneries. Miyazaki captures the most minuscule details that are often overlooked. For example, he is able to depict the way the tips of grass become yellow under sunlight, the way rocks erode with time, and even how people discard trash on street alleys. These images bring life into his 2D animated films that few artists can achieve.
Miyazaki draws thousands of frames by hand. "We take [handmade] cell animation and digitize it in order to enrich the visual look, but everything starts with the human hand drawing…the color standard is dictated by the background. We don't make up a color on the computer.” I had the opportunity to go to Miyazaki’s layout exhibition in Seoul, Korea two years ago. I was there for hours looking through every single hand drawn layout. Each radiated Miyazaki’s dedication, talent, and passion illuminated the entire exhibition.
His drawings are only one aspect of his genius; Miyazaki’s storytelling is insightful and encouraging. I have seen most of his films and love all of them. My favorites include, Howl’s Moving Castle, From Up on Poppy Hill, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, and The Wind Rises. Out of all these, Kiki’s Delivery Service inspired me the most. It centers on a young witch’s journey of self-discovery. During a time when I felt a loss of confidence in my ability to draw, this film encouraged me to pursue art and find my own style. When Kiki lost her ability to fly, Kiki’s artist friend, Ursula, counseled her. “You’re working at it too hard. Take long walks. Look at the scenery. Don’t even think about flying. And then, pretty soon you’ll be flying again…we each need to find our own inspiration, Kiki. Sometimes it’s not easy.” This film taught me that it was all right to fail, and in order to overcome this artist’s block I had to be patient.
Another film, Spirited Away, revolves around Chihiro, a spoiled girl who grows independent and brave through a journey to the Spirit World. This movie has one of the most beautiful animations. For example, this film has intricate and elegant buildings and lively characters with colorful personalities. This film captivated me, because of the vibrant colors and the way Miyazaki made me fall in love with the characters. Despite Chihiro being spoiled and cowardly, she matured by making mistakes and learning from them.
In Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, Ponyo is a curious mermaid who takes interest in the human world. She falls in love with a boy named Sosuke and reminds us to keep the heart of a child, true, unclouded by evil, and playful. Ponyo’s strange chicken feet and puffy pumpkin underwear makes her an endearing character.
Miyazaki’s final film before retiring as a producer, The Wind Rises, was in many ways a goodbye to his devoted fans, friends, and filmmaking. The Wind Rises focuses on Jiro Horikoshi’s biography, Miyazaki’s only biographical film. Miyazaki related to Horikoshi, a Japanese airplane designer and engineer, in several ways. They both viewed the world as a hopeful place, despite the negative events that occurred during their lifetimes, such as devastating earthquakes and wars. They were also great artists and designers who captivated worldwide audiences. In The Wind Rises, Jiro falls in love with Naoko Satomi, a hotel owner’s daughter, who is dying of tuberculosis. Weak and dying Naoko remains strong beside Jiro. Like other females that Miyazaki portrayed in his earlier works, Naoko strengthened the main character, but remained independent. This film was heartbreaking not only because of its tragic ending, but also because it is Miyazaki’s farewell to his art and his audience.
Each of Miyazaki’s works is unique, but they convey a similar message: “life is a winking light in the darkness.” Miyazaki’s movies portray a realistic view of the world—tragic and unexpected, with a positive touch, which strengthens his message: that life is worth living. ]]

Dear Miyazaki-san,
First of all, I was to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do not believe anyone has been able to inspire me and touch my heart as you have with your amazing films and artwork. Writing this made me tear up, because it's always been a dream being able to somehow reach you and thank you for inspiring me like no one else has. You may have probably heard this a lot, but your films are magical. They are able to so deeply move us and engage us in your world. It's so rare to see people becoming one these days, because of technology, and busy, fast-paced lives. With your films, people are able to come together and share emotions that are not said, but felt. Your art has also inspired me to continue drawing, even though I am still afraid to pursue my passions as a future career/job. I still, however, draw when I have time and get inspiration from your films. I feel like drawing is a way to get closer to your magical world and finding myself. Thank you for making me persevere and inspiring me never stop what I love. Your films often make me feel like life's worth living, even though there are many tough times in life. Your heroines make me feel strong, independent, and it empowers me so much that I am no longer afraid to let societal standards define who each of us should be. Thank you so much. Like many of my favorite characters like Kiki, Ponyo, San, Naoko, Ursula, and more, I feel like I can get be my own person and it empowers me to know that I myself can find my own strengths and come back up in times when I fall down.
Thank you for creating your amazing artworks and films and for inspiring to become a better individual and to never be afraid and to continue living on.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, thank you.

Sincerely,
Someone that has been empowered by your magical touch.

  • - just now