, and Princess Mononoke 
has been stoking the rumors that Studio Ghibli is shutting it's doors. Miyazaki has been saying for what seems like forever that he would be retiring in the near future, but this most recent announcement only ups that idea. Speaking with Cut Magazine, Miyazaki states that Suzuki Toshi, head of Studio Ghibli, was already working on a dissolution plan in case their latest film turns out to be a massive flop. That film, The Borrower Arrietty, was released in Japan last month.
However, if Arrietty turns out to be a success, plans are already afoot for Miyazaki to produce a sequel to one of his most revered films, Porco Rosso. The 1992 film is about a ace fighter pilot who has the face of a pig for unknown reasons. The proposed sequel would be titled, Porco Rosso: The Last Sortie, and would take place years after the events of the first film.
I've been hard on Miyazaki's last few flicks, and often times it seems I'm the only person in the world who didn't like Spirited Away
, but the guy is truly a legend and has made more amazing animaed features than anybody else in history. Even you, Mr. Disney. Miyazaki never makes sequels, so the fact that he's so invested in doing so now is remarkable in and of itself. I've only seen Porco Rosso once, but the beauty and semi-realistic animation has stuck with me. Let's just hope his next couple of flicks do well so we can get this sequel, because it's obvious Miyazaki has a story he's desperate to tell.
