Hayao Miyazaki tenaciously hand draws his way to a third Oscar

Hayao Miyazaki won his third Oscar on Sunday night in Los Angeles. The film "The Boy and the Heron" was named Best Animated Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.

This is yet another triumph for Miyazaki, who crafts his films by hand using pencils and paper—a distinctive method in a field that relies heavily on digital technology. The 83-year-old has already received an honorary award in 2014 and the Best Animated Feature Oscar for "Spirited Away" in 2003.

"The Boy and the Heron," which depicts the tale of a small child who loses his mother in wartime Japan and travels into a new world, took Miyazaki and his helpers seven years to draw. The self-reflective lead character is a reflection of Miyazaki, while the characters are influenced by the filmmaker's actual experiences, including the witty blue heron and his wise great uncle.

Heron faced opposition from "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," an American animated film that employed 1,000 workers and was overseen by three directors, in the best-animated movie category. The film's original visuals, which are regarded as being at the vanguard of animation, were presented to audiences through a variety of approaches, including watercolor-like style and 3D computer graphics.

Ultimately, though, the meticulously hand-drawn pieces by the Miyazaki team received the greatest number of Academy votes.

According to Miyazaki, he was an animator. He needs to work at his desk in order to make a movie. While directing, Miyazaki also draws at his desk. He and his animators brought their ideas to life on screen using paint and pencil in this movie.