'I was really excited to see a Miyazaki movie': Hayao Miyazaki's unadvertised last hurrah opens in Japan

TOKYO - Whispers of anticipation filled the air as the curtains drew back in Japanese cinemas. Without trailers, ads, or any hint of promotion, Hayao Miyazaki, Japan's celebrated animation maestro, unveiled his latest – and possibly final – masterpiece to an eagerly awaiting audience. The lack of pre-release information seemed to fuel the excitement rather than quell it, making this unconventional premiere more exhilarating, as reported by ThePrint*.

"I was really excited to see a Miyazaki movie": The Enigma of the Unexpected Release

Miyazaki, 82, had previously announced his retirement a decade ago, citing fatigue and a desire to step back from feature filmmaking. However, the Academy Award-winning animator, known for gems such as "Spirited Away," soon rescinded his retirement plans and threw himself into the creation of "How Do You Live?" The film chronicles the journey of a 15-year-old boy grappling with his father's death.

Unsurprisingly, the film's unveiling attracted die-hard fans like 18-year-old student Michiru Miyasato, who expressed that the mystery surrounding the movie only heightened her excitement. Much like his previous works, this movie is a testament to Miyazaki's signature hand-drawn animation and vibrant color palette, reminiscent of his co-founded Studio Ghibli's remarkable filmography.

"A poster and a title – that’s all we got": The Charm of Simplicity

The usual flurry of promotions, trailers, and merchandising tie-ins were conspicuously absent during the release of 'How Do You Live?'. Instead, the only tidbit given was a Miyazaki-drawn poster, distributed to a select number of cinemas. Toshio Suzuki, the producer at Studio Ghibli, affirmed that this was a deliberate move to recapture the thrill of mystery and anticipation from childhood cinema experiences.

In a first for Miyazaki's extensive filmography, which includes classics like "Princess Mononoke" and "My Neighbour Totoro," 'How Do You Live?' also sees an IMAX release. This unique approach, coupled with Miyazaki's age, has led many fans to believe this might truly be his last directorial venture.

Unfortunately for global fans, no international release date has been announced. Meanwhile, the mystique surrounding 'How Do You Live?' and its unique release strategy continues to make waves in the world of animation, showcasing once more Miyazaki's inimitable charm and storytelling genius.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)