The legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is best known for his iconic Studio Ghibli films. These heartwarming and beautifully written movies have become absolute classics over the years, garnering appreciation and love from viewers across the globe. However, some Miyazaki fans may not be aware of his other incredible creations, such as his short films, including an actual music video: On Your Mark.

Since becoming Studio Ghibli’s most popular and acclaimed filmmaker, Miyazaki has enjoyed great success. In 1985, he released Castle in the Sky, his first film with the company. The movie went on to win an Anime Grand Prix award for Best Anime in 1986.

This was only the beginning of Miyazaki’s work with Studio Ghibli, as he went on to create many more beloved and gorgeously animated films. Some of his most popular works include My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Spirited Away, among many others. While his feature-length movies have become famous and celebrated internationally, Miyazaki has also worked on smaller projects, such as short films.

Miyazaki Created a Stunning Short Titled “On Your Mark”

The Short Includes Music by Chage & Aska, a Japanese Rock Duo

One of Hayao Miyazaki’s most interesting and well-animated shorts was created in 1995, in collaboration with two Japanese rock musicians. The short is considered a music video for the background song and lasts for about six and a half minutes. The song itself is titled “On Your Mark,” by Chage & Aska. The short was created in affiliation with Studio Ghibli’s Ghibli Experimental Theater project, and appeared theatrically in July 1995, playing before the Whisper to the Heart film. Chage & Aska also played the video during their 15th anniversary concert tour, titled SUPER BEST3 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.

Today’s Hayao Miyazaki fans might not have seen this spectacular short yet, but it is certainly worth a watch. The animation in the short is undoubtedly awe-inspiring, fluid, and beautiful, especially considering the video was created in the late 90s, before many modern-day animation advancements. Aside from the jaw-droppingly high-quality animation, the short also tells a very interesting and meaningful story, using the lyrics to “On Your Mark” to craft a compelling narrative about a young girl with wings, who appears to be an angel, and two police officers who set out to rescue her from a perilous situation.

The Short Follows Two Police Officers and an Angelic Creature

In Six Minutes, Miyazaki’s Trademark Art Style Comes Through

The rock song, “On Your Mark,” is eerily beautiful and captivating, pairing perfectly with the crisp, vivid animation of the short. The music also blends seamlessly into the story with lyrics that hold deep significance. Miyazaki did a wonderful job crafting a short story that reflects the themes in Chaga & Aska’s song. The short begins with a police raid on the building of a religious cult in a futuristic city. As the officers search the structure, they only find one survivor among the bodies: a young girl with angel-like wings.

Unfortunately, scientists capture the girl and confine her, likely to experiment on her. The brave officers continue to worry about her and are determined to give this girl a better fate, rescuing her from the confines of the laboratory. They break in and almost get caught, but are eventually able to free her, bringing her with them in their car. On the drive away from the city, they attempt to teach her to fly on her own again. Scenes play of her coasting carefully, while holding hands with one of the men, but unsure about setting off on her own.

The Gorgeous Film Contains Common Themes Seen in Miyazaki’s Work

Environmentalism and Protecting and Saving Those Who Need It Appear in this Short

Eventually, with the encouragement and coaxing of the two police officers, the young angel girl takes flight into the sky. The film ends with this hopeful and inspiring moment, as the girl heads off to build a new life, finally free of the entrapment of both the science laboratory and the cult. The sequence of events in the short film is not linear, and the scenes bounce back and forth between different moments. The short culminates in the end depiction of the girl flying off independently, finally secure and confident enough to break away from the evil forces who held her down.

This short also contains some important themes that appear in Miyazaki’s work. One of these is environmentalism, which is a topic Miyazaki clearly feels passionate about based on its integration into so many of his films. The world depicted in the “On Your Mark” video was harmed by radioactivity, evidenced by scientists in protective hazmat suits, rampant plants growing everywhere, and a shot of a nuclear reactor. Miyazaki is no stranger to exploring social issues and meaningful messages in his films, so it is intriguing to see that this aspect of his movies is present throughout all his work.

Films such as Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo, My Neighbor Totoro, and Spirited Away all contain messages about the consequences humanity can have on the ecosystem and the importance of protecting the environment, so it is no surprise to see this topic represented in the “On Your Mark” short film. This is just another facet of Miyazaki’s work that makes him so influential: his candid and thoughtful messages on important topics that affect everyone. This short was produced fairly early in Hayao Miyazaki‘s career, but his characteristic style and artistic voice still shine through clear as day.