Hayao Miyazaki GOD

What can we learn from Miyazaki's movies as writers?

Good question!

There are a couple different writing techniques that I would like to see others take from Ghibli
movies—or, more specifically, Miyazaki movies (as not all Ghibli movies are necessarily created
equally).

Character Introduction — Miyazaki very often opens his stories with an establishing shot of the
environment the characters live in and then the main character doing something. It’s not a
monologue giving us backstory or anything, and it’s not something very complicated. For
example, Kiki is laying in a countryside meadow listening to the radio. The radio not only
foreshadows events that will happen later in a very subtle, easily over-looked way, but the
simple weather forecast is the inciting incident that starts the story. Same thing with many of his
other stories. Spirited Away—shot of the crowded and clustered Japanese city (which will later
be contrasted by the vast, open spirit world), and then Chihiro pouting in the back seat. Them
getting lost in this scene is the inciting incident. Even Porcco Rosso, again a radio is used as a
tool while an establishing shot of Porcco relaxing in his hide out moments before he is called
into the inciting incident (stopping the pirates this time angers them into hiring the mercenary).
Pacing — Miyazaki beautifully masters pacing in his stories, from bouts of action, to moments of
peace that not only help establishes their world, but lets us get to know the characters better. It’s
in these moments of quiet that the characters grow and prepare for the moments of action, as
opposed to jumping from one action scene to another. People don’t act the same when they’re
under pressure. It’s important to know who the character is both in calm and stress.
Beauty of Nature — No matter where you live (fantasy world or not), nature is a major part of the
world. Seeing the beauty in nature makes the world feel more real, whether it’s the moths that
bat themselves against the lanterns in My Neighbor Totoro, or cicadas on trees, the ripples of
water, the hues and shadows of sunset, the way raindrops fall on stone and drips from the
corners of buildings—this detail makes the world feel more real. You can paint these images in
novels very easily—but knowing to balance it so that it’s not too much or not too little is a talent.
Slice of Life — Even in a magical world like Howl’s Moving Castle, there is a slice of life feeling
that depicts everyday, normal life that most of us can relate to, whether it’s Sofie trying on a hat
(and shortly after being disappointed), to her telling Markle if there is anything he doesn’t want
her to clean that he’d better hide it now (because little kids always have their little treasures). In
Kiki’s Delivery Service, another fantasy world, they’re doing the exact same thing—living,
learning, growing, BEING.
Of course, to some degree, writing is about an individual author’s interests, voice, and
experiences. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn and broaden our interests and experiences