Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary filmmaker behind Studio Ghibli, is rarely seen outside promotional material for his films. However, a recent photo of the beloved animator has surfaced, offering fans a rare glimpse of him in a casual moment. What makes this image particularly interesting is that it shows Miyazaki without his signature beard, which is an unusual sight for those accustomed to his iconic look. The photo was taken in front of the entrance of Nibaraki, a location with ties to his early career, and was captured by a veteran employee who worked on Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.