A Fantastic Mind

11/8/2023 8:34:45 AM
Image: Internet

Do you know?

  • Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli are like peanut butter and jelly - practically inseparable when it comes to the world of animation. 
  • Hayao Miyazaki has directed over 10 feature films, most of which received critical acclaim and international recognition. "Spirited Away" even won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003.

Let's get more information about this brilliant man and his works.

Let's learn some new words before you read the passage:

Listen and complete the passage.

hurt enormous animation
supernatural charming original


Hayao Miyazaki was born in Tokyo on January 5, 1941. As a boy, he liked to read and draw cartoons. After graduating from university in 1963, Miyazaki joined the Toei Animation Company. At Toei, he worked on many animated movies, like the famous Puss in Boots. In 1984, he made Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, which was based on a comic book he wrote. Because this movie was so successful, Miyazaki was able to start his own company, Studio Ghibli. 

One of Miyazaki’s most loved movies is My Neighbor Totoro, made in 1987. It is a children’s movie, but many adults like it, too. The movie is about two sisters who become friends with an , animal named Totoro. It is a very warm-hearted story, with many fantastic characters such as Cat Bus, a cat that is also a bus. Miyazaki’s 2001 movie, Spirited Away, was even more popular than Totoro. In fact, it made more money than any other movie in Japanese history.

All of Miyazaki’s movies contain strange but people and creatures. Many of his stories happen in worlds that are different from ours. However, they still show his ideas about real life. He often points out how humans the natural world. He thinks people should change how they live. Miyazaki’s movies combine fantasy and reality in an way. This may be why so many people like his movies. 

Read the passage and answer the questions.

A Fantastic Mind

Image: My Neighbor Totoro

Hayao Miyazaki was born in Tokyo on January 5, 1941. As a boy, he liked to read and draw cartoons. After graduating from university in 1963, Miyazaki joined the Toei Animation Company. At Toei, he worked on many animated movies, like the famous Puss in Boots. In 1984, he made Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, which was based on a comic book he wrote. Because this movie was so successful, Miyazaki was able to start his own animation company, Studio Ghibli. 

One of Miyazaki’s most loved movies is My Neighbor Totoro, made in 1987. It is a children’s movie, but many adults like it, too. The movie is about two sisters who become friends with an enormous, supernatural animal named Totoro. It is a very warm-hearted story, with many fantastic characters such as Cat Bus, a cat that is also a bus. Miyazaki’s 2001 movie, Spirited Away, was even more popular than Totoro. In fact, it made more money than any other movie in Japanese history.

All of Miyazaki’s movies contain strange but charming people and creatures. Many of his stories happen in worlds that are different from ours. However, they still show his ideas about real life. He often points out how humans hurt the natural world. He thinks people should change how they live. Miyazaki’s movies combine fantasy and reality in an original way. This may be why so many people like his movies. 

Source: Reading Challenge 1

What does the passage mainly discuss?

  • The movie My Neighbor Totoro
  • The education of Hayao Miyazaki
  • The most famous movie in Japan
  • The works of Hayao Miyazaki

How did Miyazaki's work on Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind impact his career?

  • It led to his immediate recognition as a leading animator.
  • It was his first experience in animation.
  • It facilitated the establishment of his business.
  • It was praised by many experts on the animation industry.

What is NOT true about My Neighbor Totoro according to the text?

  • It is known as the most celebrated film of Studio Ghibli.
  • It shows interactions between humans and supernatural beings.
  • It was produced in Japan in the 1980s.
  • It can be considered as a fine pick for the entire family.

Considering the themes present in Miyazaki's films, what can be inferred about his world view?

  • He believes in the importance of children's creative development.
  • He is optimistic about the popularity of animated movies among adults.
  • He feels a strong connection to traditional Japanese culture.
  • He is concerned about environmental issues and human impact on nature.

Cat Bus is a character in which movie?

  • Puss in Boots
  • My Neighbor Totoro
  • Spirited Away
  • Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind

Let's learn some new words before you read the passage:

During the quiz, he drew a _____ on a question that he knew he had studied.

  • line
  • dot
  • blank
  • arrow

Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The judge threatened to throw the book at him if he committed another offense.

  • punish him
  • arrest him
  • expel him
  • investigate him

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between THREE and SIX words, including the word given.

The character's life was full of difficulties until he finally found happiness. (DOG)

=> The character in the story faced before finding happiness.