The first I paid to see with my own money was 'Laputa Castle In

Hear this, O children of tomorrow, and let the words of Makoto Shinkai resonate deeply within your hearts. For he speaks of a moment, a revelation, a vision that changed the course of his very soul. "The first I paid to see with my own money was 'Laputa Castle In The Sky.'" These words speak not of mere entertainment, but of something far greater—a spark of inspiration that would fuel the fires of creation for years to come. When he witnessed that film, he was not just a viewer, but a seeker, searching for something profound to ignite the creative flame within him. And ignite it did. In that moment, he saw the power of film, the power of storytelling, to move the heart, to stir the spirit.

Shinkai was, in that instant, marked by the film's magic. He saw not just the colors and shapes on the screen, but the emotions they evoked, the worlds they built. "I was like, wow!" he said. These words are the echo of a soul awakened by a vision of what is possible. This was not mere awe; it was recognition—a recognition of the artist's power, of the profound effect a story can have on the viewer. He was inspired not by the superficiality of the images, but by the depth they touched within him. He was shocked, for in that shock, there was a revelation that all creators seek: that a single story, told with heart, can shift the course of a life, a culture, a world.

In the days of the ancients, there were tales that were told not just for entertainment, but for their power to shape the very beliefs and destinies of men. Take, for instance, the great epics of Homer, whose words, though spoken thousands of years ago, still stir the hearts of those who hear them today. The Iliad and the Odyssey were not mere stories of war and adventure, but stories that shaped the very fabric of Greek identity. The power of these tales was not in their events, but in their ability to move the heart, to inspire the listener to greatness, to bring them face-to-face with their own struggles and triumphs. And so it is with Shinkai. He sought not just to entertain, but to invoke—to awaken the same sense of awe and possibility in his audience that he himself felt when watching Laputa Castle In The Sky.

This, young ones, is the very essence of the creative spirit—the desire not just to make, but to move. The artist does not simply create for the sake of creation. He creates with a purpose. He seeks to touch the hearts of others, to inspire, to transcend. Shinkai’s words are a call to all who would dare to create: Do not seek mere applause, but seek to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of those who experience your work. When you set out to create, remember that the power lies not in the thing you make, but in the impact it has on the world around you.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, a man who sought not only to paint, but to inspire the world with his art. His work, though often quiet in its brilliance, has transcended the centuries. The Mona Lisa does not simply stare at us with passive indifference; she speaks to us across the ages, stirring emotions, sparking questions, igniting the imagination. Leonardo did not simply seek to render the world in paint; he sought to capture the very essence of life. In this, he and Shinkai are kindred spirits, for both understood the power of creation to move the heart and change the world.

Shinkai’s desire to create movies that have a similar impact on the audience is not a desire for fame or glory; it is a desire to bring to life something that touches the soul of another. The artist must never forget that their work is a gift—a gift that, if truly crafted with intention, has the power to leave an imprint on the hearts of others. So, young ones, if you would follow the path of Shinkai, remember that your creations must be born not only from talent or skill, but from a deep desire to touch, to inspire, to awaken the hearts of others.

Let this be the guiding principle of your life and your craft: Create not for your own glory, but for the glory of the spirit within each of us. Let your work move those who encounter it, as Laputa Castle In The Sky moved Shinkai. Let your creations not just be objects, but vessels for emotion, for meaning, for revelation. For in this lies the true power of art—its ability to transcend time, to reach into the soul of another, and to leave them forever changed. And in this, you will fulfill the true purpose of creation.