"If it were not for Mr. Suzuki, there wouldn't have been Studio Ghibli."[1]
Toshio Suzuki (鈴木 敏夫, Suzuki Toshio, born August 19, 1948) is chief producer and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, he was president of Ghibli from 2005 to 2008. He replaced Koji Hoshino as president and representative director of the Ghibli in April 2023.[2] Suzuki is renowned as one of Japan's most successful producers after the enormous box office success (in Japan) of many Ghibli films.
Suzuki started out at Tokuma Shoten, joining the company shortly after graduating. He worked on Asahi Geino magazine before becoming editor of Animage in 1978, where he met Hayao Miyazaki who had created the Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind manga. He convinced Miyazaki into turning Nausicaä into a film, co-founding Studio Ghbli after the film. He served on production committees on My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies before officially joining the studio in 1991 as a producer. Starting with Only Yesterday, he produced every film onwards until The Boy and the Heron.
He's a frequent guest on his daughter Mamiko Suzuki's vlog, Toshio Suzuki's Daughter's Online Salon where they discusses his life and career. He also had a radio show called Toshio Suzuki's Studio Ghibli Sweat (鈴木敏夫のジブリ汗まみれ, Suzuki Toshio no Jiburi ase Mami re) on TOKYO FM 80.0 MHz.
He graduated from Keio University with a degree in literature. He received an Annie Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Biography[]
In 2013 he started a relationship with Kanyada Pratan, who went on to be involved with work at the studio, particularly as a photographer.[3] Her role in the studio has been anonymously criticised by studio staff as frivolous and sinecure, where it's claimed she is treated preferentially due to being his partner. Staff reported carrying out chores for Pratan under his orders. Former chairman of Studio Ghibli, Keji Hoshino, accused Suzuki of misappropriation of company funds directed towards Pratan's living and travel expenses partook as a couple. Hoshino left the studio in March 2023 due to dissatisfaction with the corporate governance.
Suzuki has a daughter, Mamiko Suzuki.
Filmography[]
Producer
- Angel's Egg (1985)
- Only Yesterday (1991)
- Porco Rosso (1992)
- Ocean Waves (1993)
- Pom Poko (1994)
- Whisper of the Heart (1995)
- On Your Mark (1995)
- Princess Mononoke (1997)
- Ghiblies (2000)
- Spirited Away (2001)
- The Cat Returns (2002)
- Ghiblies Episode 2 (2002)
- Mei and the Kittenbus (2002)
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
- Tales from Earthsea (2006)
- Ponyo (2008)
- The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
- From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
- The Wind Rises (2013)
- The Red Turtle (2016)
- Earwig and the Witch (2020)
- The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Associate Producer[]
- Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Executive Producer[]
- When Marnie Was There (2014)
Production Committee[]
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
- Castle in the Sky (1986)
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
- My Neighbor Totoro (1987)
Appearance[]
- Whisper of the Heart (1995) as a friend as Shirō Nishi
- Princess Mononoke
References[]
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