Studio Ghibli films and The Lord of the Rings often appear on the same list of favorites for many people. Both stories are about friendship, strength of spirit, and the battle against evil. But what’s surprising is that Hayao Miyazaki is very skeptical of The Lord of the Rings and even referred to its fans as "idiots." Let’s explore the reason behind this opinion and what viewers think about it.
What’s Wrong with The Lord of the Rings According to Miyazaki?
In an interview, the director harshly criticized J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, saying:
"If you consider someone an enemy, you can kill them endlessly. In The Lord of the Rings, it's all like that. If they're enemies, you can kill them all, without differentiating between civilians and soldiers. They’re all collateral damage... Those who don't understand this but claim to love this fantasy are idiots." Quite blunt, without any niceties.
So, what’s the basis for this opinion? Miyazaki is known as a staunch pacifist, opposed to militarism and American cinema. In his films, evil is rarely absolute, and wars are senseless and brutal. He believes that in The Lord of the Rings, the enemies are portrayed too simply: there are good guys and bad guys, and it's okay to kill the bad ones without remorse.
But this is something we can debate.
Tolkien, Orcs, and the Theme of War
Tolkien, while creating The Lord of the Rings, was indeed influenced by his military experiences — he was a veteran of World War I and understood the horrors of real battles. Additionally, despite the overarching battle between good and evil, things in The Lord of the Rings are not so clear-cut:
- Gollum is not just a villain, but a tragic character torn between good and evil.
- Even the hobbits, who seem like the most peaceful beings, return home and face the destruction brought by war.
- Sauron has no personal scenes or dialogue to justify his actions — yet even he was once not so evil in Tolkien's world.
So, it’s not accurate to say that the war in this story is just a "kill the enemy" game.
Why Do Japanese People Love The Lord of the Rings?
Hayao Miyazaki views The Lord of the Rings as too militaristic, with war presented in overly "black-and-white" terms. However, for millions of viewers, including many Japanese, The Lord of the Rings is more than just an epic battle between good and evil. It’s a complex story about friendship, responsibility, and how small actions can change the world.
It all depends on perspective. Whether you love The Lord of the Rings or not, debating with Miyazaki is certainly interesting.
