
That’s the familiar Studio Ghibli anime legend on the cover, but with a very unfamiliar name.
China has often shown itself to be pretty lukewarm on the idea of intellectual property rights, but the country is pretty fond of anime. These two factors came together when we spotted, on a recent trip to Shanghai, a store selling bootleg copies of a documentary about famed director and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki.
▼ Miyazaki, wearing his famous apron, beams at potential purchasers.
Oh, wai, sorry. That’s actually Guzuo Miyazaki, at least according to the cover’s helpful Japanese text.
▼ “Guzuo”
The trilingual billing on the front of the rainbow-sheen box has “Miyazaki Hayao” (keeping the Japanese ordering with the family name first) spelled out proudly in the Latin alphabet in the middle, with the proper rendering of his name in Chinese characters below. The top line, though doesn’t match.
In Japanese, Hayao Miyazaki’s name is supposed to be written with three kanji characters, two for his family name, and one for his given one.
▼ Hayao Miyazaki, written in Japanese
However, for some reason the designers of the box decided to write “Hayao” in the phonetic Japanese script called katakana, instead of kanji, for the Japanese version of his name on the cover. Granted, the three characters used to write Hayao Miyazaki’s name are slightly different in Chinese and Japanese, but the cover contains the correct Japanese rendering of “Miyazaki” for the top line, so it’s weird that they wouldn’t do the same for “Hayao.”
Still, while it’s an odd move to write “Hayao” in katakana, it can be done, in which case it’d look like this.
However, the bootleg box instead has this.
Only the last character, オ, matches. We suppose Hayao and Guzuo look a little similar, provided you’ve just knocked back several beers or are bleary-eyed from a marathon Ghibli classics screening.
But maybe this is a situation where the Chinese and Japanese languages having different pronunciations for the same, or at least equivalent, kanji? To find out we asked a Chinese friend of ours how Chinese speakers pronounce the anime director’s first name, to which she answered “Jun.”
Our first impulse was to recommend that any and all anime fans import a copy of this film from China and learn all about this heretofore unknown anime creator. But then we sneaked a peak inside the box, and found that instead of the Blu-ray promised on the cover, there was actually a standard-definition DVD inside. So really, we have to say you’re better off saving your money until it gets a proper HD remaster, especially if you’re a real Guzuo Miyazaki fan.
Images ©SoraNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Casey on Twitter, where his favorite Chinese bootleg remains “Dog Fqwr” as an alternate title for Scooby-Doo.








Ghibli reveals genre of Hayao Miyazaki’s next anime, and that it’s also working on new CG film
Hayao Miyazaki working on new project, says “I’m going to continue making anime until I die”
List of anime directors fans expect the most from topped by….Goro Miyazaki?!
The Hayao Miyazaki anime we never got – New art book reveals Ghibli legend’s unrealized concepts
Anime critic thinks Miyazaki may be unable to fill Ghibli talent void quickly enough for new film
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
Village Vanguard’s most expensive Black Lucky Bag sets an ominous tone for 2026
Sukiya’s upcoming “Triple Garlic Mix” menu items are so pungent they come with a breath refresher
“I couldn’t…wipe my own butt” – Hunter x Hunter manga creator discusses medical issues
Manga artist and adult filmmaker lists Miyazaki anime among the worst, “most dangerous” out there
One Piece ship to anchor at Japanese theme park
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Totoro beer? Hayao Miyazaki draws new version of anime icon for Japanese craft beer label
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name passes two Hayao Miyazaki anime’s earnings, box office romp continues
Studio Ghibli is not Studio Goro – Hayao Miyazaki’s son denies being his father’s successor
Hayao Miyazaki reveals the kind of otaku he hates the most
Hayao Miyazaki is getting worried about how his new anime is being marketed, Ghibli producer says
Press conference about Miyazaki’s retirement streaming live on Niconico
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest comeback is so that he can leave an anime behind for his grandson
Chinese poster for Totoro’s first theatrical release in country has a beautifully subtle secret
Evangelion creator says even Hayao Miyazaki anime don’t have enough Miyazaki
Keeping Totoro’s Forest safe: Anime legend Hayao Miyazaki volunteers in conservation event
Video documentary explores the Essence of Humanity in the film works of Hayao Miyazaki【Video】
Hayao Miyazaki and Evangelion creator get together for a photo and a talk about beards
Producer clarifies Studio Ghibli’s future, mentions that Miyazaki “would like to make an anime”
Hayao Miyazaki slams anime, hints at comeback, and praises The Red Turtle, all in one breath
Hayao Miyazaki painting classic Ghibli heroine, talking about returning to her world excites fans
Leave a Reply