“To be born means being compelled to choose an era, a place, a life. To exist here, now, means to lost the possibility of being countless other potential selves.”

If you release your subconscious it becomes really hard to live a social or family life.

The winds of time eventually turn them into the tools of industrial civillisation. It’s never unscathed.

First: don’t panic! Second: don’t panic! And third: did I mention not to panic?!

There are so many things we can’t do anything about if we think about generalities

I wanted to convey the message to children that this life is worth living.

Yet, even amidst the hatred and carnage, life is still worth living. It is possible for wonderful encounters and beautiful things to exist.

There are all kinds of values within the films but I don’t make message films.

I find it pointless sitting in my house not working, though I like to go on extended vacations from time to time.

Humans have both the urge to create and destroy.

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.

Mortality is very different when you’re 20 to when you’re 50.

It’s unbelievable how quickly such a birthday ends.

Some people are old at 18 and some are young at 90. Time is a concept that humans created.

By time and age full many things are taught.

No matter your age, you are here today, so there is time.

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

The older I get, the more convinced I am that the space between people who are trying their best to understand each other is hallowed ground.

Your age is your badge of honor.