In a recent Le Monde interview with Nintendo character designer Yoichi Kotabe, the Kotabe revealed secrets behind how Mario was designed.

Besides Mario, Kotabe dropped another big bombshell – Hayao Miyazaki, the famous Japanese animator from Studio Ghibli. According to Kotabe, Nintendo, through Shigestao Itoi and Ikeda, approached Miyazaki to work together on a video game.

Contrary to what you’d probably think, Miyazaki did not refuse this proposal. Miyazaki in fact told Nintendo that he wanted to make a game that takes place in the world of insects, and the player would see the world through the eyes of an insect.

Unfortunately the project never saw the day of light as Miyazaki was too busy directing films at Studio Ghibli.

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