Hayao Miyazaki is best known for his iconic films likeSpirited AwayandPrincess Mononoke, butPonyois the one that perhaps has the deepest meaning. Released in 2008, the film seemed like a whimsical children’s tale, but it reflected something more personal. It came out during a time when there was tension between Miyazaki and his son, Goro.
Its story of love and longing carries greater emotional weight than fans might expect, given that it is a deeply personal matter not often discussed in interviews or documentaries. The film was released two years after Goro’sTales of Earthsea, which caused strain in their relationship.Ponyo, when looked at closely, can be seen as an apology from father to son.
Ponyo Is Widely Recognized as an Apology to Miyazaki’s Son
Tales From Earthsea Created a Rift Between Father and Son
Hayao Miyazaki has always been admired for his devotion to animation, spending years fully immersed in his films. However, that commitment came with a high personal cost. In thedocumentary10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki, the director reflected on how rarely he was home, admitting, “I owe that little boy an apology.”
The tension between Miyazaki and his son, Goro, intensified with the release ofTales from Earthseain 2006. Directed by Goro,the film was met with harsh criticism from both audiences and Miyazaki himself.He walked out of an early screening and later questioned whether his son had the maturity or temperament to be a director.
Regarding the distance between him and his father, Goro has been remarkably open. He described how Hayao’s demanding work schedule kept him largely absent from family life, leading to feelings of loneliness and longing. This absence shaped Goro’s childhood, influencing both his personal life and his approach to filmmaking. His thoughtscan be found on Nausicaa, where he shared:
“Hayao Miyazaki, to me, is “Zero Marks as a Father, Full Marks as a Director.” My father was almost never at home. That’s why for me, when I was a child, my mother had to fill the place of my father.”
The rift between them was about more than creative differences and direction, but something that stemmed from their personal experiences with each other. Goro’s words reveal that his childhood was shaped by that absence, and Miyazaki’s dismissal of his son’s early work only widened the divide. The two struggled to understand each other and bridge the emotional distance between them.
Ponyo Reflects Miyazaki’s Regret as a Father
Goro’s Next Film, From Up on Poppy Hill, Marked a Turning Point
Ponyowas released two years afterTales from Earthseaand is widely regarded as Miyazaki’s attempt to repair their strained relationship. The film embraces innocence, warmth, and childlike wonder, with Sosuke, the young boy at the heart of the story with Ponyo, inspired by Goro’s childhood.
FollowingGoro’s 2011 film,From Up on Poppy Hill, there was also a shift in the father and son’s relationship. Goro’s second film was warmly received by critics, and most notably, by Miyazaki as well. With its focus on family, memories, and reconciliation, the film marked a turning point and helped bring Miyazaki and Goro closer together.
BothPonyoandFrom Up on Poppy Hilltell a deeper story about their relationship. WhilePonyohints at Miyazaki’s remorse for being an absent father, Goro’s second film explores renewed understanding and connection. Together, their stories show how creative works can carry much deeper, personal meanings behind them.
Ponyomight not be Miyazaki’s most famous film, but its deeper, personal message makes it stand out and reveals a side of him rarely seen by fans. Through its storytelling, inspiration, and warm imagery,Ponyois easily one of Studio Ghibli’s most beautiful explorations of family and hope.
