Hayao Miyazaki believes 'the golden age of Japanese animation has passed,' according to his son

After creating some of the best animated films this world has ever seen, Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, believes that we have officially entered an era where anime will no longer be as impressive as the age before it.

CBR reports that Goro Miyazaki, son of Hayao, says that his father is not very excited about the future of Japanese animation, as it seems he believes there isn't much innovation left for fans to indulge nor is there much creators can create that hasn't been done before:

"Everything is really foggy regarding the future of the studio. And I don't really know, but I think my father has ideas for a new feature film. It made him happy, but he believes the golden age of Japanese animation has passed and that there's not much new left. He feels that this award symbolizes the end of his career."

- Goro Miyazaki

Hayao's perspective on anime is noted to have changed after he received the Palme d'Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Here, the Academy-Award-winning filmmaker did the impossible by being part of the first studio to be gifted an award previously only given to individuals. Such a feat may have pushed Hayao to realize that it's possible only Studio Ghibli could achieve such a monumental achievement in the animated community.

Although Hayao Miyazaki believes that the golden age of Japanese animation is over, it's clear that he also understands there are people who threaten his stance, as some creators are just too good to deny.

Hayao Miyazaki's rival in the anime industry

Out of all the anime TV shows and films that have come and gone, Hayao Miyazaki admits that Demon Slayer is one of the few anime that can genuinely stand the test of time.

The Spirited Away mastermind couldn't help but notice the amazing accomplishment Demon Slayer: Mugen Train received when it broke box office numbers and surpassed Spirited Away as the highest-grossing animated film of all time. He was so impressed that he now considers Demon Slayer creator Koyoharu Gotouge one of his rivals.

We know now that being labeled as Hayao Miyazaki's rival is definitely a huge flex to those in the anime industry. But that still doesn't mean that Hayao truly acknowledges anyone in the business as his equal. In fact, being the filmmaker's rival may prove to be a more challenging position since Hayao doesn't trust his rivals to ever catch up with him.

Perhaps there will come a day when Hayao Miyazaki is impressed with the more recent anime titles. Perhaps not. Either way, this film legend isn't letting go of his top spot that easily and it can be seen clear as day in his inability to retire once and for all.