I had to do a double take when I saw this on Sankaku Complex (NSFW).

Whoa ho ho.

Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli founder and a filmmaker famous for his works such as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, let fly a steaming one when he caught an interviewer maximizing the use of the iPad with his digits (not Miyazaki’s, of course), saying:

“That thing that looks like a gaming device in your hand, along with that strange stroking movement you make with your hands is by no means attractive to me, nor am I at all impressed by it. I feel a sense of revulsion for it, in fact.

I’m sure in short time there will be an increase in people on trains making those strange masturbatory strokes. It was the same when everyone started reading manga on trains, and when it became cellphones – I’m fed up with it.”

So it seems that the great director is not a big fan of portable gadgets, but I would like to ask Miyazaki: When was the last time you took the subway?

The “iWhatevers” (and any similar product, including Ray’s new iPhone 4 =D) are most probably the only source of comfort in an individual’s commute to work/school on a packed, uncomfortable and sometimes smelly vehicle. Personal space is at a premium in this high-speed twilight zone and anything that can get me not thinking about the hairs of some lady’s armpits is greatly welcomed!

To be fair to Miyazaki, he does end the interview on Neppu, an in-house Ghibli rag, on a positive note, saying:

“You must not becomes a consumer. You must become someone that creates.”

But I’m happy rotting my brains in front of my portable telly, dad!

Meanwhile, it’s safe to say that iPads and their portable brethren will not be welcomed in the holy of holies of Ghibli lore.

If you’re well-versed in the Japanese language, here is the original source.