Hayao Miyazaki Forum

Hayao Miyazaki, the most famous anime film director in the world, is reportedly making an appearance at UC Berkeley in northern California to pick up an award from the school and to fulfill his contractual obligations to Disney to promote Ponyo “before returning to Japan to crank out the two last movies he’s got in him” (as Kai-Ming Cha puts it-- did I miss something? Granted, Miyazaki's declarations of his plans to retire always go in one ear and out the other with me, since any have yet to actually come true).

The date which the famed auteur AND mangaka is appearing is July 25th. Right smack dab in the middle of San Diego Comic Con. Not exactly a day I can plan to swoop in and at least be there, since I doubt he'll be available for interviews, as he's probably booked solid with more mainstream publications-- remember that this is a promotion trip as well.

So, will any Bay Area-bound Vice Squad members be sitting around that weekend wishing they were at Comic-Con? Because man, do I have something for you to go see. Seriously, give me a heads up if you think you can make this, because I'd love to know that someone here could potentially snap a photo and report back. There might be a little something in it for you!

Last two movies? Eh, I guess there's a counter now. I remember how Ponyo was supposed to be his last film, but yeah - look what's going on now. Anything can change between now and then - two movies, three... Heck, he may be a lead director for a few, then "retire" and be helping out on some projects. I don't know.

So much for SDCC... I heard rumblings that he was going to appear at Ponyo panel to promote it (supposedly there's going to be a showing... Or, at least that's the rumor mill. Maybe he'll be there on Friday?).