Animation legend Hayao Miyazaki to retire

Oscar-winning animation legend Hayao Miyazaki is to retire, it's been announced.

Those unfamiliar with his work will no doubt immediately recognise his distinctive anime style, as made famous for Studio Ghibli, the Japanese studio he co-founded in the mid-80s.

Miyazaki went on to write, animate and direct a slew of critically acclaimed movies.

[A beginner's guide to Studio Ghibil]

Most famous for his Oscar-winning film 'Spirited Away', released in 2001 – it won Best Animated Feature – he was also behind hits like 'Howl's Moving Castle', 'Ponyo' and 'From Up On Poppy Hill'.

His latest – and last – film 'The Wind Rises' is currently on the festival circuit.

He has often been described as Japan's answer to Walt Disney, with Disney director Glen Keane – who helmed the likes of 'Tangled' and Beauty and the Beast' – and 'Up' director Pete Docter citing him as an important influence on their work.

[Hiyao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises edges closer to European release]

Miyazaki announced that he was taking a sabbatical from filmmaking in the 90s, but this will likely be a more permanent move.

There's no UK release date as yet for 'The Wind Rises'.