Miyazaki was born to animators Hayao Miyazaki and Akemi Ōta in Tokyo. While growing up, Gorō and his younger brother Keisuke found sketches of their parents' work.[1] As a high school student, Gorō thought that he "would never be able to reach the level [his father] has attained." Gorō instead decided to pursue an interest in landscape architecture.[1][2] After graduating from Shinshu University's School of Agriculture, Gorō later worked as a construction consultant in the planning and designing of parks and gardens. In 1998, Gorō was involved in the design of the Ghibli MuseuminMitaka, and served as its director from 2001 to June 2005.[3][4] Miyazaki is involved in Ghibli Park, which began operating in 2022, as its lead designer and director.[5][6]
Miyazaki's first film was Tales from Earthsea, an adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea book series. Written by Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa, the film stars Junichi Okada, Bunta Sugawara and Aoi Teshima. Originally joining the animation project as a consultant, Miyazaki was asked to draw the storyboards. After viewing his storyboards, producer Toshio Suzuki decided Miyazaki should direct the film.
The move to direct the film caused friction between Gorō and his father, who felt his son did not have the experience to direct a film; the two were said not to have spoken throughout the movie's development.[7] Despite this, Gorō Miyazaki was determined to complete the project.[8]
On June 28, 2006, Gorō held the first preview of the completed Tales from Earthsea, which was attended by his father. Hayao was seen to have『accepted Gorō』and after, delivered to his son a message, saying the film "...was made honestly. It was good."[9] The film was released on July 29, 2006, to positive reviews, but received mixed reviews when comparing to the other Ghibli movies, and grossed $68 million worldwide.[1] However, Miyazaki was presented Japan's Bunshun Raspberry Award for "Worst Director", with Tales from Earthsea receiving the award for "Worst Movie", at the end of 2006.[10] The film was nominated in 2007 for the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year (losing to The Girl Who Leapt Through Time)[11] and was selected in the Out of Competition section at the 63rd Venice Film Festival.[12]
In May 2020, Toshio Suzuki confirmed that a new film from Gorō Miyazaki was in development at Studio Ghibli.[18] On June 3, 2020, Studio Ghibli announced that the film would be an adaptation of the novel Earwig and the WitchbyDiana Wynne Jones. The film was announced as the first full 3D CG animated Ghibli film and slated for a television premiere on NHK in Winter of 2020, under the title Earwig and the Witch (アーヤと魔女, Āya to Majo).[19][20][21][22]Earwig and the Witch had its world premiere on October 18, 2020, at the Lumière Film Festival, before premiering in Japan on television on December 30, 2020, on NHK General TV; it was later released in theatres in Japan by Toho on August 27, 2021.
