Studio Ghibli hires male directors because they tend to have a “more idealistic” approach to fantasy than women.
Despite such gender stereotyping, Studio Ghibli is known for pushing complex and inspiring female characters to the forefront of its movies.
Men on the other hand tend to be more idealistic – and fantasy films need that idealistic approach.
Producer Yoshiaki Nishimura attempted to explain the Japanese animation studio’s lack of women when asked whether it will ever shake up its gender balance during a Guardian interview.