The attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo that took place last month, brought media attention to the streets of Paris and the issue of freedom of speech. The attacks took place over the publishing of anti-Islam cartoons by the magazine killing several people including the editor.
Now, one of the founders of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki has expressed his views on the publishing of the cartoons. “For me, I think it’s a mistake to make caricatures of what different cultures worship. It’s a good idea to stop doing that,” he is reported as having said.
Charlie Hebdo has been repeatedly threatened for publishing caricatures of Prophet Muhammad along with other controversial sketches. Its office was also firebombed in 2011 causing it to move to a new location with police protection.
Hayao added that the subjects should be closer home. “First and foremost, [caricatures] should be made of your own country’s politicians; it just looks suspect to go after political leaders from other countries,” he said.
Recently, a similar gunman attacked a café in Copenhagen, Denmark where a discussion on free speech was taking place involving Swedish artist Lars Vilks, whose cartoons of the Prophet have sparked controversy.
Studio Ghibli is also nominated at the Oscars for its latest 2D flick The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Eight of the top 15 highest grossing anime films made in Japan are from Studio Ghibli. In September 2013, Hayao retired as director of the studio.