I think returning to old ideas is enough for a good movie if those ideas still resonate with the audience - I titled the post as a question because I don’t proclaim to know the answer! Every Miyazaki film I’ve seen has been at least enjoyable but those that add something extra to the mix tend to be more rewarding. That’s a matter of personal taste really!

Is it possible we just feel nostalgic about the older films?

On the other hand it’s a familiar cycle, where we place high expectations on old pros - maybe he has had his best days…or perhaps the best is yet to come?

I can’t say his work has profoundly affected me, and yet, when I sit down to watch the likes of Nausicaa or Mononoke, I’m utterly captured by the moment. His work is truly animated imagination, it feels like stepping into a dream; this is especially the case with Spirited Away. It’s not so much the characters or the drama as much as that sense of awe inspiring imagination. Such is the effort placed in his drawing, it feels like watching something that is living and breathing.

And ConcreteBadger, you need to see My Neighbour Totoro. Arguably his most emotional and realistic work where the finer touches of fantasy are absolutely magical.

I just thought it would be interesting to question something like Miyazaki’s legacy and his relevance in the current state of the industry!

Since you brought up Makoto Shinkai, of whom I considerably revere, I thought I’d put in my two cents about him: I haven’t seen 3cm per minute yet, but from what I’ve heard it apparently tackles the same themes in Beyond the Clouds and Voices of a Distant Star? I thought Beyond was pretty much like Voices in the sense that we’ve got the two lovers apart pining for each other again, only that Beyond was a full-fledged movie, whereas Voices was a short film thing. But man, can he pile on the graphics.