How Miyazaki Writes WOMEN

schnee・2 minutes read

Miyazaki's heroines defy traditional gender norms, embodying both masculine and feminine traits, driven by duty rather than personal validation, and focused on inner harmony and connections over superficial attraction and love at first sight. They navigate broken worlds, breaking barriers to foster peace, harmony, and friendships based on equality and supportive partnerships.

Insights

  • Miyazaki's heroines in his movies exhibit a unique blend of traditionally masculine and feminine traits, showcasing courage that goes beyond bravado to include facing fear and fulfilling duties, rather than seeking personal glory or validation.
  • The depiction of love in Miyazaki's films challenges traditional romantic narratives by emphasizing childhood friendships, supportive partnerships, and equality over superficial attraction and sex, highlighting the importance of inner harmony and deep connections in fostering peace and healing broken worlds.

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Recent questions

  • What are some common traits of Miyazaki's heroines?

    Complex, defy gender norms, exhibit courage and duty.

  • How do Miyazaki's heroines view empowerment?

    Empowerment through duty, not personal validation.

  • What role does duty play in Miyazaki's movies?

    Shapes actions, motivations of heroines and antagonists.

  • How does Miyazaki depict independence in his heroines?

    Unique circumstances, social isolation over true autonomy.

  • How do Miyazaki's female protagonists embody heroism?

    Break barriers, project inner harmony to transform worlds.

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Summary

00:00

Complex Heroines in Miyazaki Films Defy Labels

  • Miyazaki movies feature iconic heroines and female villains that are complex and intriguing.
  • Describing these characters using common terms like independent, strong, and empowering may not fully capture their essence.
  • Characters like Chihiro and San defy traditional gender norms but are more nuanced than these labels suggest.
  • The heroines in Miyazaki films exhibit a mix of traditionally masculine and feminine traits that defy easy categorization.
  • Courage in Miyazaki's female characters is not just about bravado but also about facing fear and doing what needs to be done.
  • Characters like Chihiro, San, and Sophie display different forms of courage, from triumphing over fear to simply doing what must be done.
  • Miyazaki's heroines are driven by a sense of duty rather than a desire for personal glory or validation.
  • Empowerment in Miyazaki's female characters comes from a sense of duty to others rather than a need to prove themselves.
  • Duty plays a significant role in shaping the actions and motivations of both heroines and antagonists in Miyazaki movies.
  • The concept of independence in Miyazaki's heroines is more about their unique circumstances and social isolation rather than true autonomy.

11:36

Isolated Characters Navigate Unique Worlds Miyazaki's Films

  • Characters like Nosa, Foo, and Gina are depicted as isolated and unique in their beliefs or circumstances.
  • The women of Iron Town, including Ibosi, were former sex workers, facing social ostracization.
  • Despite eventual companionship, these characters initially experience periods of isolation.
  • Their decisions diverge from societal norms due to their prior experiences of being alone.
  • They view situations differently, especially when encountering others who are also isolated.
  • Miyazaki's characters often inhabit closed or rigid worlds with strict rules and hierarchies.
  • Characters like May and Ibosi experience isolation due to various factors.
  • Miyazaki's female protagonists, like Tsukishima Shizuku, embody a calming, non-neurotic energy.
  • These women are unapologetic about their desires and ideals, living with purpose and honesty.
  • In contrast, Miyazaki's male protagonists often struggle to find their purpose or identity, unlike the women who are resolute in their duties and goals.

22:54

"Characters' Inner Energy Inspires Heroic Actions"

  • Characters in fiction and reality stand out due to their energy, which is not negative but comes from a pure spirit unobstructed by inner struggles.
  • Imagining freeing up wasted energy on negative thoughts and self-doubt to embrace a noble purpose and live authentically.
  • Authentic emotions and actions reflect inner energy, leading to enthusiasm, joy, or ferocity, evident in posture and movements.
  • Powerful agency stems from an inner source of energy, allowing characters to achieve remarkable feats and overcome challenges.
  • Aspirational qualities in characters like Captain America or Goku are due to their lifestyle and mindset, inspiring admiration and aspiration.
  • Characters like Kiki or Sophie embody a lifestyle and mental relationship that many aspire to have, focusing on noble purposes and inner harmony.
  • Characters' compelling nature despite minimal inner conflict raises questions on maintaining interest without drama, especially when external conflicts are limited.
  • Characters in Miyazaki films navigate broken worlds by forming connections and friendships, showcasing kindness and simplicity in complex societies.
  • Characters embody heroism by breaking barriers, curses, and mindsets, projecting inner harmony outward to transform chaotic worlds into peaceful ones.
  • Miyazaki's female characters, spiritual heroes with inner strength, navigate complex worlds with openness and simplicity, fostering peace and harmony.

34:30

Miyazaki's Love Beyond Superficial Attraction

  • Love is portrayed as the greatest value in human history, particularly romantic love, progressing from love at first sight to sex, leading to happily ever after.
  • Miyazaki rejects this formula in his movies, symbolized by Curtis who embodies superficial Hollywood values, ambition, and attraction-based commitment.
  • Miyazaki's characters react with amusement and confusion to Curtis, emphasizing a more complex view of love beyond superficial attraction.
  • Miyazaki challenges the concept of love by proposing a focus on childhood friendship, supportive partnerships, and equality, rather than superficial attraction and sex.
  • Miyazaki's heroines in his movies embody inner harmony, breaking through barriers and healing their world through friendships, supportive partnerships, and helpful interactions.
  • Miyazaki's view celebrates a world where spiritual harmony and helping others are the highest values, emphasizing connections based on deep partnership and equality rather than superficial attraction.
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