Hayao Miyazaki and Hideaki Anno, two of the biggest names in Japanese animation, recently met again. Photos released by Anno's studio show a calm, friendly visit rather than a production meeting full of storyboards and scheduling spreadsheets.
A simple visit, captured on camera
Anno shared images of the visit through his studio, noting he had not seen Miyazaki in over a year. The photos were taken by a veteran staff member who worked on Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind with both artists. In the pictures, Miyazaki is described as energetically drawing the kinds of small artworks he loves, doing it on his own terms.
What Anno said
Anno wrote that Miyazaki was still happily making his beloved drawings. He also mentioned that the final photo in the set was Miyazaki's idea: the two of them shaking hands just before Anno left. Anno added that Miyazaki has become calmer and more serene with time.
Fans reacted
Fans responded warmly to the reunion. Many found the handshake photo especially meaningful given Miyazaki's age and long career. Others called the meeting a historic moment for Japanese animation, praising the two creators simply being together again.
Does this mean a joint project is coming?
Not likely. Anno's studio, Khara, has several projects already in motion. Among them are a new Neon Genesis Evangelion series in development and an untitled Space Battleship Yamato movie. Khara also released a short in honor of Evangelion's 30th anniversary. With that pipeline, a sudden joint project with Studio Ghibli would be unexpected.
Where Miyazaki stands
Miyazaki is 85 and has announced retirements before. He appears to be back at Studio Ghibli generating ideas, but from the latest photos it looks like he is enjoying drawing for its own sake rather than diving straight into a full film production. For now, the pictures suggest he is focused on the craft instead of a big new movie commitement.
Bottom line: The reunion is touching and newsworthy, but it reads more like two old colleagues catching up than the start of a new collaboration.
