Miyazaki and His Creation

Many are surprised to discover the bleak personality of the man behind Studio Ghibli. For me as a writer, it makes a lot of sense.

Thinking back in retrospect, when I was younger, between the ages of 12 and 14, was when I began to write. Growing up was a painful process for me, as I was forced to see the world as it was and to put aside the fantasies that had filled my childhood. At that time I wasn’t conscious of what I felt — I could only feel sadness. But I walked a fine line where anything could unbalance me, and I sought refuge in books. (The Chronicles of Narnia were particularly devastating, because they dealt with my same problems, only woven together with witches, lions, and adventures.)

It was logical that, since I didn’t like the world, I would try to create my own.

When I hear the kind of things Miyazaki says, it resonates.

So I ask myself: Do other writers feel the same way? What are the origin stories of their villains? What made you start writing?