“Prizes do not mean anything to me.”

Problems begin the moment we’re born. We’re born with infinite possibilities, only to give up on one after another. To choose one thing means to give up another. That’s inevitable. But what can you do? That’s what it is to live.

When I start creating a villain, I start liking the villain and so the villain is not really evil.

People in Japan have experienced many tsunamis and various earthquakes throughout the ages.

The love of weaponry is often a manifestation of infantile traits in an adult.

In the middle of hatred and killings, there are things worth living for.

Since I am a person who starts work without clear knowledge of a storyline, every single scene is a pivotal scene.

You may not like what’s happening, but just accept it, and let’s try to live together.

My process is thinking, thinking and thinking – thinking about my stories for a long time.

I think we should stop using nuclear power plants because it’s an old system that we can’t control.

Do everything by hand, even when using the computer.

Yet once being born there is no turning back.

I’ve become skeptical of the unwritten rule that just because a boy and girl appear in the same feature, a romance must ensue.

We each need to find our own inspiration. Sometimes it is not easy.

The villains are all parts of me.

Airplanes are the most beautiful when they are in the air.

All my films are all my children.

Rulers always hate and suspect the next in succession. [Lat., Suspectum semper invisumque dominantibus qui proximus destinaretur.]

Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement.

None make a greater show of sorrow than those who are most delighted.

He who never ventures beyond actuality will never win the prize of truth.

But the prize for courage will surely be awarded most justly to those who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger.

Far must thy researches go Wouldst thou learn the world to know; Thou must tempt the dark abyss Wouldst thou prove what Being is; Naught but firmness gains the prize, Naught but fullness makes us wise, Buried deep truth e’er lies.

Not to be born is, past all prizing, best.

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship