While Hayao Miyazaki has talked about retiring since the release of Princess Mononoke back in 1997, he’s rarely really said that now is the time, but just that it was something he was thinking about or planning on unless something interesting came before him. Which worked out well since it gave us films like Howl’s Moving Castle and Ponyo as well as the new feature just out in Japan with The Wind Rises. But now, at 72, he’s made the announcement in Venice via Koju Hoshino of Studio Ghibli, that what Miyazaki is saying is true in confirming that he will be retiring from the studio.
Hoshino did not take questions at a Venice press conference, saying there will be a special one held in Tokyo next week. “He wants to say goodbye to all of you.”
[Source: Deadline]