Top Eight Moments from Oscars 2024: Asian Edition

The 96th Academy Awards took place last night, with critics’ favorites “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things” taking home top prizes. And though some believe that Asian creatives were snubbed this time around, there were still many moments that made us smile.

From the “Godzilla Minus One” team’s matching outfits to Hayao Miyazaki’s historic win, here are eight of our favorite Asian-centric moments from this year’s Oscars (in no particular order).

1. “Godzilla Minus One” wins Best Visual Effects

“Godzilla Minus One” made franchise history Sunday night, taking home the 70-year-old series’ first Academy Award. Japanese filmmakers Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima accepted the trophies — their Godzilla-themed toys and footwear taking center stage. 

“So far from Hollywood, even the possibility of standing on this stage seemed out of reach,” Yamazaki said in his acceptance speech. “The moment we were nominated, we felt like Rocky Balboa welcomed into the ring as equals by our biggest rivals, which was already a miracle. But, here we stand.”

2. “The Boy and the Heron” wins Best Animated Feature Film

Japanese film “The Boy and the Heron” topped this year’s Animated Features category, awarding famed director Hayao Miyazaki his second Oscar. At 83 years old, the Studio Ghibli founder is now the oldest director to win this category in over two decades, and he remains the only Asian director to take the prize. He won his first Oscar for “Spirited Away” in 2003. 

Though Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki were unable to attend the ceremony, presenters Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy accepted the award on their behalf. 

3. Michelle Yeoh presents Actress in a Leading Role