Animator
Hayao Miyazaki
Hayao Miyazaki was born on January 5, 1941 in Tokyo, Japan. He joined Toei Animation at age 21 and directed his first feature film at 30.
Hayao Miyazaki was born in 1941 and is currently 85 years old. Anyone born before 1941 is older than Hayao.
Born
January 5, 1941
Tokyo, Japan
World pop: ~2.3B
Hayao's age
85
Your age
20
Are you older than Hayao Miyazaki?
No — Hayao Miyazaki was born in 1941. You were born in 2006, making you 65 years younger.
At your age (20), Hayao hadn't yet reached his first major milestone. Hayao was 21 when he joined Toei Animation — that's 1 year from now for you.
Hayao's Life Timeline
Hayao Miyazaki was born on January 5, 1941, in Tokyo, Japan. Growing up during World War II, he was influenced by the cultural and social changes in Japan. His early fascination with drawing and storytelling led him to pursue a career in animation, where he would eventually become one of the most celebrated figures in the industry.
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Miyazaki began his career in animation in the 1960s, working for Toei Animation. He co-founded Studio Ghibli in 1985, which produced iconic films such as 'My Neighbor Totoro' (1988), 'Spirited Away' (2001), and 'Princess Mononoke' (1997). His films are known for their rich storytelling, complex characters, and stunning visuals, earning him numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for 'Spirited Away'.
In later life, Miyazaki has continued to influence the animation industry, advocating for environmentalism and the importance of storytelling. His works have left a lasting legacy, inspiring countless animators and filmmakers around the world. As of now, he remains an active figure in the industry, continuing to create and inspire new generations of artists.
Joined Toei Animation
Hayao Miyazaki was 21 years old when he joined Toei Animation, marking the beginning of his professional career in animation. This experience provided him with the foundational skills and insights that would shape his future works.
Hayao Miyazaki was 21 years old when he joined Toei Animation in 1962. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Directed his first feature film
Hayao Miyazaki was 30 years old when he directed his first feature film, 'The Castle of Cagliostro'. This film showcased his unique storytelling style and artistic vision, establishing him as a notable director in the animation industry.
Hayao Miyazaki was 30 years old when he directed his first feature film in 1971. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Co-founded Studio Ghibli
Hayao Miyazaki was 43 years old when he co-founded Studio Ghibli, which would become a powerhouse in animation. The studio produced many critically acclaimed films that have garnered international recognition.
Hayao Miyazaki was 43 years old when he co-founded Studio Ghibli in 1984. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Directed 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind'
Hayao Miyazaki directed 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind', an epic environmental fantasy that became a landmark of Japanese animation and led to the founding of Studio Ghibli.
Hayao Miyazaki was 43 years old when he directed 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind' in 1984. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Directed 'Castle in the Sky'
Hayao Miyazaki directed 'Castle in the Sky', Studio Ghibli's first official film, a thrilling adventure about two children seeking a legendary floating castle.
Hayao Miyazaki was 45 years old when he directed 'Castle in the Sky' in 1986. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Released My Neighbor Totoro
Hayao Miyazaki was 47 years old when he released 'My Neighbor Totoro'. This film became a cultural phenomenon in Japan and introduced audiences worldwide to the charm of Ghibli's storytelling.
Hayao Miyazaki was 47 years old when he released My Neighbor Totoro in 1988. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Directed 'Kiki's Delivery Service'
Hayao Miyazaki directed 'Kiki's Delivery Service', a charming coming-of-age fantasy about a young witch starting her independent life in a new city.
Hayao Miyazaki was 48 years old when he directed 'Kiki's Delivery Service' in 1989. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Directed 'Princess Mononoke'
Hayao Miyazaki directed 'Princess Mononoke', an epic fantasy exploring the conflict between industrialization and nature, which became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time.
Hayao Miyazaki was 56 years old when he directed 'Princess Mononoke' in 1997. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Won the Academy Award for Spirited Away
Hayao Miyazaki was 60 years old when he won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for 'Spirited Away'. This recognition solidified his status as a master animator and brought international attention to Japanese animation.
Hayao Miyazaki was 60 years old when he won the Academy Award for Spirited Away in 2001. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Directed 'Howl's Moving Castle'
Hayao Miyazaki directed 'Howl's Moving Castle', an adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' novel, a visually stunning anti-war fantasy that earned an Academy Award nomination.
Hayao Miyazaki was 63 years old when he directed 'Howl's Moving Castle' in 2004. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Announced retirement from feature films
Hayao Miyazaki was 72 years old when he announced his retirement from feature films, a decision that shocked fans worldwide. His contributions to the animation industry have left an indelible mark, and his retirement was seen as the end of an era.
Hayao Miyazaki was 72 years old when he announced retirement from feature films in 2013. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Directed 'The Wind Rises'
Hayao Miyazaki directed 'The Wind Rises', a fictionalized biography of aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi, which he initially announced as his final film.
Hayao Miyazaki was 72 years old when he directed 'The Wind Rises' in 2013. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Won Academy Award for 'The Boy and the Heron'
Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement to direct 'The Boy and the Heron', winning his second Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the age of 82.
Hayao Miyazaki was 82 years old when he won Academy Award for 'The Boy and the Heron' in 2023. Are you older than Hayao was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by Year
| Year | Age | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1941 | 0 | |
| 1942 | 1 | |
| 1943 | 2 | |
| 1944 | 3 | |
| 1945 | 4 | |
| 1946 | 5 | |
| 1947 | 6 | |
| 1948 | 7 | |
| 1949 | 8 | |
| 1950 | 9 | |
| 1951 | 10 | |
| 1952 | 11 | |
| 1953 | 12 | |
| 1954 | 13 | |
| 1955 | 14 | |
| 1956 | 15 | |
| 1957 | 16 | |
| 1958 | 17 | |
| 1959 | 18 | |
| 1960 | 19 | |
| 1961 | 20 | |
| 1962 | 21 | joined Toei Animation |
| 1963 | 22 | |
| 1964 | 23 | |
| 1965 | 24 | |
| 1966 | 25 | |
| 1967 | 26 | |
| 1968 | 27 | |
| 1969 | 28 | |
| 1970 | 29 | |
| 1971 | 30 | directed his first feature film |
| 1972 | 31 | |
| 1973 | 32 | |
| 1974 | 33 | |
| 1975 | 34 | |
| 1976 | 35 | |
| 1977 | 36 | |
| 1978 | 37 | |
| 1979 | 38 | |
| 1980 | 39 | |
| 1981 | 40 | |
| 1982 | 41 | |
| 1983 | 42 | |
| 1984 | 43 | co-founded Studio Ghibli |
| 1985 | 44 | |
| 1986 | 45 | directed 'Castle in the Sky' |
| 1987 | 46 | |
| 1988 | 47 | released My Neighbor Totoro |
| 1989 | 48 | directed 'Kiki's Delivery Service' |
| 1990 | 49 | |
| 1991 | 50 | |
| 1992 | 51 | |
| 1993 | 52 | |
| 1994 | 53 | |
| 1995 | 54 | |
| 1996 | 55 | |
| 1997 | 56 | directed 'Princess Mononoke' |
| 1998 | 57 | |
| 1999 | 58 | |
| 2000 | 59 | |
| 2001 | 60 | won the Academy Award for Spirited Away |
| 2002 | 61 | |
| 2003 | 62 | |
| 2004 | 63 | directed 'Howl's Moving Castle' |
| 2005 | 64 | |
| 2006 | 65 | |
| 2007 | 66 | |
| 2008 | 67 | |
| 2009 | 68 | |
| 2010 | 69 | |
| 2011 | 70 | |
| 2012 | 71 | |
| 2013 | 72 | announced retirement from feature films |
| 2014 | 73 | |
| 2015 | 74 | |
| 2016 | 75 | |
| 2017 | 76 | |
| 2018 | 77 | |
| 2019 | 78 | |
| 2020 | 79 | |
| 2021 | 80 | |
| 2022 | 81 | |
| 2023 | 82 | won Academy Award for 'The Boy and the Heron' |
| 2024 | 83 | |
| 2025 | 84 | |
| 2026 | 85 |
