mentorship and succession

His films frequently explore the relationship between mentors and students, most notably in 'The 400 Blows' and 'Small Change,' examining how adults guide and influence young people's development.

His animated masterpieces like 'Spirited Away' and 'Kiki's Delivery Service' center on young protagonists learning from wise elders and discovering their own path to becoming mentors themselves.

His films 'Raging Bull,' 'The Irishman,' and 'Goodfellas' deeply explore mentorship dynamics—both nurturing and corrupting—as experienced criminals and authority figures shape their protégés' moral trajectories.