Throughout his decades long career Hayao Miyazaki has sought to transport audiences back to a distant past, his fantasy adventures drawing on Japanese myth and folklore and morphing them into something entirely unique. More than most living filmmakers, Miyazaki's films demonstrate a distinct, instantly recognisable style. After taking a detour on the way to their new house, Chihiro and her parents find themselves in a strange abandoned amusement park. After eating forbidden food transforms her parents into pigs Chihiro is forced to work in a bath house in order to turn them back into their human form. The bath house and its assortment of godly and demonic patrons provides the backdrop for an archetypal coming-of-age fairy tale which felt timeless the day it was released and is now justly regarded as a masterpiece. After production on Spirited Away was completed Miyazaki announced his retirement from filmmaking - fortunately for fans of exceptional animation he went back on his word and his output has remained strong in the years since. Few filmmakers working in animation or live action have amassed such an impressive filmography - Miyazaki is a true master of animation. What other amazing animated movies have been released since 2000? Why not tell us about them in the comments?
