The Animé Art of Hayao Miyazaki

The thought-provoking, aesthetically pleasing animated films of Hayao Miyazaki attract audiences well beyond the director’s native Japan. Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away were critically acclaimed upon U.S. release, and the earlier My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service have found popularity with Americans on DVD. This critical study of Miyazaki’s work begins with an analysis of the visual conventions of manga, Japanese comic books, and animé; an overview of Japanese animated films; and a consideration of the techniques deployed by both traditional cel and computer animation. This section also details Miyazaki’s early forays into comic books and animation, and his output prior to his founding of Studio Ghibli. Part Two concentrates on the Studio Ghibli era, outlining the company’s development and analyzing the director’s productions between 1984 and 2004, including Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro and his newest film, Howl’s Moving Castle. The second section also discusses other productions involving Studio Ghibli, including Grave of the Fireflies and The Cat Returns. Appendices supply additional information about Studio Ghibli’s merchandise production, Miyazaki’s global fan base, and the output of other Ghibli directors.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Dani Cavallaro has written widely about literature, cultural theory, and anime. She lives in London.

Dani Cavallaro

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 212
Bibliographic Info: filmography, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2006
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2369-9
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5129-6
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1
Introduction      5

1. The Frame of Reference      15
2. The Early Years      29
3. The Ghibli Era: A Brief History of Studio Ghibli      40
4. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind      47
5. Laputa: Castle in the Sky      58
6. My Neighbor Totoro      68
7. Grave of the Fireflies      77
8. Kiki’s Delivery Service      81
9. Studio Ghibli, 1990–1991      91
10. Porco Rosso      96
11. Studio Ghibli, 1992–1994      104
12. On Your Mark      112
13. Whisper of the Heart      114
14. Princess Mononoke      120
15. Studio Ghibli, 1999–2001      131
16. Spirited Away      134
17. Studio Ghibli, 2002–2003      148
18. Howl’s Moving Castle      157

Postscript: French Connections—The Miyazaki/Moebius Exhibition      172
Epilogue      175
Filmography      181
Appendix 1: Ancillary Products and Media Synergy      187
Appendix 2: Fans and Their Worlds      190
Chapter Notes      193
Bibliography      199
Index      203

• “Highly recommended”—Choice
• “Excellent”—Midwest Book Review
• “Spares no expense to showcase some of the very best of the body of work from the master of anime, Hayao Miyazaki…excellent book…worthy addition…one of the most in-depth yet”—Anime.com