My favorite director is Hayao Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli. My favorite film is Princess Mononoke.
Princess Mononke is definitely a very successful movie that broke many Japanese box office records.  It also has an important message about the drawbacks of human advancement.
Yes! I've always loved how Miyazaki pushes the boundaries of cinema and makes people think about the consequences of environmental devastation. He has such a respect for the natural world. I also appreciate his strong female characters. 
Have you ever had the chance to visit Studio Ghibli?  Miyazaki and Takahata created so many incredible movies out of their studio in Japan.
I have never had the opportunity to go, but it is one of my dreams to visit Studio Ghibli. I can't wait to one day walk up to the life sized Totoro in the ticket counter! I agree, they have created so many memorable films. Some of my other favorites are Nausicaa and of course My Neighbor Totoro. 
Those are all great choices!  Grave of Fireflies and The Tale of Princess Kaguya are also very highly regarded movies from Ghibli.
Yes! Grave of the Fireflies is so sad though. I always give people who haven't seen it a warning to have tissues nearby and be prepared for a heart wrenching experience.
It was very exciting when Miyazaki announced he would come out of retirement to direct the Boro the Caterpillar.  We will get at least one more great movie!
I was thrilled when I saw that! Miyazaki is infamous for retiring and returning shortly after! He's like a cat that can't decide whether he wants to be inside or outside. I attribute it to his work ethic, his work is such a large part of his identity and I think he grows restless without it.
Well he does expect to be 80 years old when he completes Boro the Caterpillar, so we should definitely appreciate any new movies he creates.
Absolutely! I don't think anyone could ever replace him, not even his son Goro. I am so glad Hayao is at least being appreciated in his own time and not posthumously. Hopefully there will be at least one more Academy Award for him. When he won in 2003 for Spirited Away, I believe that was the real start of his films being more widely appreciated.