Summary
Miyazaki's lesser-known short film “On Your Mark” is a music video with impressive animation and a touching story. The short film revolves around two police officers rescuing an angel, reflecting the theme of environmentalism. “On Your Mark” showcases Miyazaki's storytelling talent and signature animation style, blending music and storytelling seamlessly.
Legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is best known for his symbolism Ghibli Studio movie. These touching and beautifully scripted films have become classics over the years, receiving appreciation and love from viewers around the globe. However, some Miyazaki fans may not be aware of his other incredible creations, such as the short films, include an actual music video: On Your Mark.
Since becoming Studio Ghibli's most famous and acclaimed filmmaker, Miyazaki has achieved great success. In 1985, he released Castle in the Sky, his first film with the company. The film went on to win the Anime Grand Prix award for Best Anime of 1986.
This was just the beginning of Miyazaki's work with Studio Ghibli, as he continued to create more beloved and gorgeous animated films. Some of his most famous works include My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Spirited Away, among many others. While his feature-length films have become famous and celebrated worldwide, Miyazaki also worked on smaller projects, such as short films.
Miyazaki created a beautiful short film titled “On Your Mark”
The short includes music by Chage & Aska, a Japanese rock duo
One of Hayao Miyazaki's best and most entertaining animated short films was created in 1995 in collaboration with two Japanese rock musicians. The short film is considered a music video for the background song and lasts about six and a half minutes. The song itself has a title “On Your Mark,” by Chage & Aska. The short was created in association with Studio Ghibli's Ghibli Experimental Theater project and appeared in theaters in July 1995, screening before the film Whisper to the Heart. Chage & Aska also played this video during their 15th anniversary concert tour, titled SUPER BEST3 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.
Today's Hayao Miyazaki fans may not have seen this breathtaking short film, but it's definitely worth a watch. The animation in the short is certainly awe-inspiring, fluid, and beautiful, especially considering the video was created in the late 90s, well before many advances in modern animation. In addition to the amazingly high-quality animation, the short film is telling A very interesting and meaningful storyuses the lyrics of “On Your Mark” to create a captivating story about a young girl with wings who appears to be an angel and two police officers who set out to rescue her from a dangerous situation. .
The short story is about two police officers and an angelic creature
In six minutes, Miyazaki's trademark art style is showcased
The rock song “On Your Mark” is strangely beautiful and captivating, combining perfectly with the short's crisp, vivid animation. The music also blends seamlessly into the story with lyrics that carry deep meaning. Miyazaki did a wonderful job creating a short story that reflects the theme of Chaga & Aska's song. The short film begins with a police raid on a religious worship building in a futuristic city. When police searched the building, they found only one survivor among the bodies: a young girl with angel-like wings.
Unfortunately, scientists captured the girl and held her captive, likely experimenting on her. The brave officers continued to worry about her and were determined to give this girl a better fate. rescue her from the confinement of the laboratory. They break in and are almost caught, but are eventually able to free her, taking her with them in their car. On the drive out of the city, they tried to teach her to fly on her own again. Shot of her descending the slope carefully, while holding the hand of one of the men, but unsure about setting off on her own.
The beautiful film contains common themes found in Miyazaki's work
Environmentalism and protecting and saving those who need it appear in this short
Finally, with the encouragement and coaxing of the two police officers, Young angel girl flying into the sky. The film ends with this hopeful and inspiring moment, as the girl begins to build a new life, finally free from the shackles of both the science lab and the cult. The sequence of events in the short film is not linear and scenes jump back and forth between different moments. The short culminates at the end depicting the girl flying away independently, finally safe and confident enough to escape the evil force that has held her down.
This short also contains some important themes that appear in Miyazaki's work. One of all environmentalism, a subject about which Miyazaki clearly feels passionate based on its integration into so many of his films. The world depicted in the “On Your Mark” video has been damaged by radiation, as evidenced by scientists in hazmat suits, plants growing everywhere, and photos of nuclear reactors. Miyazaki is no stranger to exploring social issues and meaningful messages in his films, so it's interesting to see this aspect of his films present throughout his work.
Movies like Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo, My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away all contain messages about the consequences humans can have on the ecosystem and the importance of protecting the environment. school, so it is not surprising to see this theme represented in the short film “On Your Mark”. This is just another aspect of Miyazaki's work that makes him so influential: his frank and profound messages on important topics that affect everyone. This short film was produced quite early in the year Hayao Miyazakicareer, but his signature style and artistic voice still shine clear as day.
