Ghibli Studio will not disband: Spokesperson

Film poster for Ponyo (2008). [Photo/Mtime.com]

Oscar-winning Japanese director Miyazaki to retire

Rumors of Ghibli's decision to halt production of animated feature films created a stir in Asia and left many fans in Japan, as well as China and South Korea, heartbroken.

Sina Weibo user sidianban said "My heart almost stopped at hearing the news."

Other expressed their concern about Miyazaki's health. "On the one hand, I hope they don't disband, but on the other hand, I hope they find a new path. Master Miyazaki should take some time to rest. Those not in the animation business don't know how hard it is to make anime. It's not something that an ordinary person can endure", said Sina Weibo user overCYdose.

Miyazaki is regarded as one of the greatest animators in the world. Aside from numerous TV shows and shorts, he has directed 11 movies, including My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo and Princess Mononoke.

His international recognition has seen him pick up a Best Animated Feature Oscar for the 2002 film Spirited Away as well as a Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2005. Howl's Moving Castle landed an Oscar nomination two years later, and Miyazaki's film has been credited with bringing Japanese animation to a broader global audience.

The Wind Rises was Miyazaki's swansong feature last year, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. There have been two subsequent Ghibli releases which were made by other directors, the most recent being When Marnie Was There, which came out in Japan last month.