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The 'Hayao Miyazaki Looking Stressed' meme features an image of Hayao Miyazaki, the renowned co-founder of Studio Ghibli, in a moment of apparent stress. In the image, Miyazaki is seen leaning back in his office chair, his eyes closed, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He is wearing a beige apron and glasses, which he holds aloft with one hand above his head. This image captures a candid moment of frustration or exhaustion, commonly used online to express feelings of being overwhelmed or exasperated in work and personal scenarios.
The image of Hayao Miyazaki featured in this meme originates from '10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki', a documentary series directed by Kaku Arakawa and released by NHK on March 17, 2019. The detailed documentary spans ten years and provides an intimate look into Miyazaki’s life, especially during the production of his films like 'Ponyo' and 'The Wind Rises'. It highlights his struggles with aging and the incessant pursuit of perfection. The specific scene used for the meme shows Miyazaki taking a brief respite at his desk, encapsulating his fatigue. The meme initially found prominence through a post on Instagram by stepbackjumper3434 on January 18, 2021, capturing a relatable moment of digital frustration, which quickly resonated with users.
Origin: 2021
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Yall im 6 episodes into all her fault and this is literally the best show I’ve seen in a while but they got me STRESSED!
4:04 AM · Nov 21, 2025
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