>Ursula Le Guin trusted her Earthsea series to him, and he gave it to his idiot son. That's not really fair. For one, Gorō was basically forced into the indus

>Ursula Le Guin trusted her Earthsea series to him, and he gave it to his idiot son. That's not really fair. For one, Gorō was basically forced into the industry. He didn't want it, and was pressured into it. Second, it was not Hayao's choice for his son to direct Earthsea. Suzuki Toshi, president of the studio, was the producer, and Gorō was originally attached just as a consultant. He drew the storyboards, and Suzuki decided upon seeing them to entrust Gorō with the role of director. Hayao actually was very against it, and outright said his son did not have enough experience yet to be a director, and then refused to speak to him until after the movie had aired. From Up on Poppy Hill was significantly better than Earthsea, and I think there is still a chance yet of Gorō becoming a worthy successor to his father.