A veteran impersonator of legendary animation director Hayao Miyazaki recently visited the newly opened Ghibli Park.
As detailed in Otaku USA, Izumi Pao, who has impersonated Miyazaki for fifteen years, visited many iconic locations around the park while sporting Miyazaki’s iconic black glasses and white beard. One series of shots shows Pao posing by a few of the park’s benches, each one including its own unique statue. Pao also mingled with many of the park’s visitors, including actor Takeshi Tsuruno (Ultraman Saga). Following Pao’s appearance, numerous comments appeared online expressing amazement at the impersonator’s resemblance to Miyazaki, with some pointing out that he even correctly mimics the way the director walks.
Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of the famed Studio Ghibli, has written and directed many of the studio’s most beloved films. A few of these include Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001). In addition to his feature films, Miyazaki has also created several short films shown exclusively at the Ghibli Museum, the most recent being the 2018 short Boro the Caterpillar.
Miyazaki’s Final Film Is Set to Debut in 2026
Currently, Miyazaki is finishing up work on his last directorial project with Studio Ghibli. This film, titled How Do You Live?, is based on Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 titular novel. Its story revolves around a 15-year-old boy named Junichi Honda (nicknamed “Copper”) and his experience dealing with the death of his father. While living with his uncle, the character goes through an introspective journey, contemplating subjects like spirituality and the struggles of daily life. While Studio Ghibli President Koji Hoshino recently assured Ghibli fans that production on Miyazaki’s upcoming film is progressing well, How Do You Live? is currently expected to debut sometime in 2026.
Ghibli Park opened on Nov. 1. Situated in Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, it features attractions based on some of Ghibli’s most iconic films, such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Of the park’s five main areas, only “Dondoko Forest,” Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse” and “Hill of Youth” are currently available to the public. When open, the “Valley of Witches” will feature attractions based on Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howls Moving Castle (2004), including a large-scale recreation of the latter film’s titular castle. “Mononoke Village” based on Princess Mononoke, recreates many iconic locations featured in the film, complete with architectural replicas.
The majority of Studio Ghibli’s film library is available on HBO Max.
Source: Twitter, via Otaku USA
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