Best Selling Books by Hayao Miyazaki

In the first two decades of his career, filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki laid the groundwork for his legendary movies. Starting Point is a collection of essays, interviews, and memoirs that go back to the roots of Miyazaki''s childhood, the formulation of his theories of animation, and the founding of Studio Ghibli. Before directing such acclaimed films as Spirited Away, Miyazaki was just another salaried animator, but with a vision of his own. Follow him as he takes his first steps on the road to success, experience his frustrations with the manga and animation industries that often suffocate creativity, and realize the importance of bringing the childhood dreams of the world to life. Starting Point: 1979-1996 is not just a chronicle of the life of a man whose own dreams have come true, it is a tribute to the power of the moving image. -- VIZ Media

In the mid-1990s, filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki moved from success to success as his work found an audience outside of Japan. His animated films of the era, including Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo, were internationally lauded, and Miyazaki won an Academy Award® in 2003 for his popular and critical hit Spirited Away. Follow Miyazaki as his vision matures, as cinema-lovers worldwide embrace his creations, and as critics such as Roger Ebert take up the cause of animation and Miyazaki’s films. In a legendary career, these crucial years represent the turning point. -- VIZ Media

· The U.S. theatrical release of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea is expected in April 2009. · Ponyo had over $100 million at the box office in Japan. With the population difference, this is equivalent to Batman The Dark Knight’s $400-$500 million at the box office in the U.S. · The character of Ponyo – a goldfish who becomes a young girl – is very, very cute. · Ponyo storyline is more familiar to Western audiences than previous Miyazaki films · Ecological themes make the book very timely, especially for children. · Ponyo will likely be more popular than prior Miyazaki films at the US box office; we can also expect DVD sales of more than 500,000 (Spirited Away did 400,000 after release). · Ponyo film extremely likely to be nominated for Academy award for animated feature. (Backlist selling opportunity). Relive the story of Ponyo and Sosuke in this full-color movie art book! From the animators of Howl''s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and Academy Award winner Spirited Away, comes the new Studio Ghibli film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen''s The Little Mermaid, is a hand-drawn feature-length film. The art of the film involves not only cel, but also striking watercolor and pastel concept sketches and layout pages. Interviews with productiin principals about their daring choice to hand draw a film in the age of CGI and the screenplay complete the package.

An oversized, lavishly illustrated storybook featuring original watercolor art by legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki! This is the original Princess Mononoke story, created by Hayao Miyazaki in 1980 while he was first conceptualizing the landmark animated film that would be released to universal acclaim seventeen years later. As an initial version of the tale, it offers a new and different perspective from the final version presented in the film. After a long, exhausting war, a samurai lost in a forest encounters a giant wildcat--a mononoke. The beast saves his life, but at the price of his daughter''s hand in marriage...

The latest in the perennially popular line of Studio Ghibli artbooks, which includes interviews, concept sketches, and finished animation cels from classics such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. The Wind Rises is Miyazaki’s love letter to the power of flight and the imagination, an examination of the rise of Japan’s military might in the years leading up to the Second World War, and a call for worldwide peace and harmony in the face of destruction. This book captures the art of the film, from conception to production, and features in-depth interviews with the filmmakers.

The Art of Spirited Away collects colour illustrations of Spirited Away for the first time in an English edition! This book includes paintings and designs from the new animated film from the director of Kiki''s Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke. Large-size, hardcover coffee-table book featuring artwork from the renowned animated film, Spirited Away, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Features commentary, colour stills, sketches, storyboards, and illustrations used to envision the rich fantasy world of the film. Also includes a complete English-language script.

The definitive examination of the art and animation of Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece of fantasy and flight, Castle in the Sky! The latest in the perennially popular line of Studio Ghibli art books, which include interviews, concept sketches and finished animation cels from classics such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky was the first feature film produced by the legendary Studio Ghibli. Sheeta, a girl who has the power to defy gravity, is on the run from pirates when she meets the young inventor Pazu. Together they explore the secrets of Laputa, a flying city constructed by a long-lost race of people. All of Miyazaki’s major themes—the power of flight, the bravery of young women, and a world wrecked by change—are captured with beautiful animation and joyous storytelling.

An epic fantasy written and illustrated by the legendary director Hayao Miyazaki! From the vaults of Academy Award-winning director, Hayao Miyazaki! Original watercolor illustrations used as concept sketches for both the manga and film versions of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Take a peek behind the curtain to see the creative process of the most acclaimed anime director in the world today. This full-color, over-sized, hardcover book also includes Miyazaki''s earliest sketches that eventually became the basis for some of the most beloved anime movies of the past 20 years. From the vaults of Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki! Original watercolor illustrations used as concept sketches for both the manga and film versions of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Take a peek behind the curtain to see the creative process of the most acclaimed anime director in the world today. This full-color, oversized hardcover book also includes Miyazaki''s earliest sketches that eventually became the basis for some of the most beloved anime movies of the past 20 years.

A 13-year-old girl sets off on a journey to become a witch. In the process, she learns how to be a woman. From the movie of the same name, this prestige format, lavishly illustrated hard-bound book gives fans a rare glimpse into the creative process of Academy Award-winning director, Hayao Miyazaki. A 13-year-old girl sets off on a journey to become a witch. In the process, she learns how to be a woman. From the movie of the same name, this prestige format, lavishly illustrated hard-bound book gives fans a rare glimpse into the creative process of Academy Award-winning director, Hayao Miyazaki.

An epic fantasy written and illustrated by the legendary director Hayao Miyazaki! An addition to the perennially popular line of Studio Ghibli art books—which include interviews, concept sketches, and finished animation cels—of classic animated films such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga, was released in 1984 and has been a cult classic ever since. In a long-ago war, humankind set off a devastating ecological disaster. The earth is slowly submerging beneath the expanding Sea of Decay, an enormous toxic forest that creates mutant insects and poisonous spores. Beyond the sea lies the Valley of the Wind, a kingdom of barely 500 citizens and home to Nausicaä, who risks everything to save her people and bring peace and health to the valley. Includes sketches, developmental water colors, cel animation, and more.

Winner of the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated feature, Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro, a girl in the midst of a move to the suburbs who wanders into a strange town and finds a world of spirits ruled over by the mysterious Yubaba. Winner of the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated feature, Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro, a girl in the midst of a move to the suburbs who wanders into a strange town and finds a world of spirits ruled over by the mysterious Yubaba.

Shortly after reaping the rewards from his movie Spirited Away, a project that earned him an Academy Award in 2003, director Hayao Miyazaki set his sites on his next film, Howl''s Moving Castle.Based on the novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones, Howl''s Moving Castle gave the internationally renown director an opportunity to bring to life a fantastical time in 19th century Europe when science and magic defined the popular zeitgeist.Veering slightly from its source material, the new Miyazaki movie nonetheless retains all the novel''s principal characters. There''s a foppish wizard named Howl, a vain witch from the wastelands, an anthropomorphic chimney fire and a young girl who carries a most unusual curse. And, of course, there''s the moving castle…a towering, omnipresent structure that dominates the landscape. Already a smash success in Japan, Howl''s Moving Castle finally comes to U.S. theatres this spring. To coincide with its Stateside release, VIZ is proud to present The Art of Howl''s Moving Castle, a hardbound, prestige format book which acts as an essential companion to the film. A generous collection of concept sketches, fully rendered character and background drawings, paintings and cell images, The Art of Howl''s Moving Castle brings the movie into your library. Along with the stunning visuals, the book also presents interviews and comments with the production staff, including key points directly from the director.There''s more than one way to book passage on the moving castle. See the movie, but don''t forget to reserve a copy of the book, as well. The Art of Howl''s Moving Castle is a great way to preserve the magic of the next great anime classic from Hayao Miyazaki. Shortly after reaping the rewards from his movie Spirited Away, a project that earned him an Academy Award in 2003, director Hayao Miyazaki set his sites on his next film, Howl''s Moving Castle. Based on the novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones, Howl''s Moving Castle gave the internationally renowned director an opportunity to bring to life a fantastical time in 19th century Europe when science and magic defined the popular zeitgeist. Veering slightly from its source material, the new Miyazaki movie nonetheless retains all the novel''s principal characters. There''s a foppish wizard named Howl, a vain witch from the wastelands, an anthropomorphic chimney fire and a young girl who carries a most unusual curse. And, of course, there''s the moving castle…a towering, omnipresent structure that dominates the landscape. Already a smash success in Japan, Howl''s Moving Castle finally comes to U.S. theatres this spring. To coincide with its Stateside release, VIZ is proud to present The Art of Howl''s Moving Castle, a hardbound, prestige format book which acts as an essential companion to the film. A generous collection of concept sketches, fully rendered character and background drawings, paintings and cell images, The Art of Howl''s Moving Castle brings the movie into your library. Along with the stunning visuals, the book also presents interviews and comments with the production staff, including key points directly from the director. There''s more than one way to book passage on the moving castle. See the movie, but don''t forget to reserve a copy of the book, as well. The Art of Howl''s Moving Castle is a great way to preserve the magic of the next great anime classic from Hayao Miyazaki.

Fantasy, history and Japanese folklore shape an ecological message in Hayao Miyazaki’s ambitious tale. Studio Ghibli picture books capture the magic of the legendary studio’s animated films with easy-to-read text, full-color pictures direct from the film, and a family-friendly oversized hardcover format. Marked with the curse of a rampaging boar god, young Ashitaka sets off on a journey to cure his mysterious affliction. From behind the walls of an iron-mining town, Lady Eboshi arises to smash all obstacles to technological development. And from out of the forest comes Princess Mononoke, driven by a hatred of all humans. Can she and Ashitaka ally in time to stop the wild lands from being destroyed?

Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei are overjoyed about moving into a historic country house with their dad--but the girls don''t realize what a delightful adventure awaits them there. While exploring their sprawling home and the beautiful rural area that surrounds it, Satsuki and Mei meet Granny, a sweet old woman, and her timid grandson Kanta. They also experience firsthand the magic of the Soot Sprites, mysterious creatures that live in the walls, and discover a huge camphor tree that just might be enchanted...

The art, from conception to release, of the classic Hayao Miyazaki film Princess Mononoke, including a look at Miyazaki’s original art and the use of computer graphics technology in the film. The latest in the perennially popular line of Studio Ghibli art books, which include interviews, concept sketches, and finished animation cels from classics such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Princess Mononoke was the first Hayao Miyazaki film to break out into the American mainstream. The journey from initial idea to the big screen is captured here, in the hundreds of images from preliminary sketches to dynamic animation cels.

"This book reads from right to left"--P. [4] of cover.

A young witch named Kiki sets off on a journey to become a witch—what does she find at the seaside city where she settles? Now that she’s 13 years old, it’s time for young Kiki to start thinking about her future. One night, under the shine of a full moon, she grabs her black cat Jiji, hops on her mother’s broom and heads off into the night. The next day she arrives at a friendly seaside city, and this, she tells her loyal and furry companion, is where she’ll spend the next year learning how to become a real, honest-to-goodness witch.

Revisit one of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved classics with the My Neighbor Totoro film comics, collected for the first time into one large deluxe hardcover edition! Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closer to their ailing mother. Soon, in the woods behind their spooky old house, Satsuki and Mei discover a forest spirit named Totoro. When Mei goes missing, it’s up to Satsuki to find her sister, and she’ll need help from some new—and magical—friends. Revisit one of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved classics with the My Neighbor Totoro film comics, collected into a deluxe hardcover edition!

Cartoons & Comics.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) Ponyo, a female fish, runs away from her home in the sea and ends up stranded on the shore. Sosuke, a five-year-old boy who lives on a cliff, rescues her. He promises to protect Ponyo forever. Ponyo grows very fond of Sosuke, and with the help of her sisters and her father’s magic, she becomes human. This results in a great imbalance in the cosmos, causing great storms and floods and satellites to fall from the sky. Ponyo becomes a fish again and Sosuke promises to love her no matter what form she takes. In the end, when Ponyo kisses Sosuke, she becomes human again.

One of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved classics, Totoro celebrates its 25th anniversary! The companion book to the beloved animation classic My Neighbor Totoro, by legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki. Featuring artwork taken directly from the movie, this updated edition will allow parents and children to relive Totoro''s magical adventures with scene-by-scene illustrations and character dialogue. The companion book to the beloved animation classic My Neighbor Totoro, by legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki. Featuring artwork taken directly from the movie, this updated edition will allow parents and children to relive Totoro''s magical adventures with scene-by-scene illustrations and character dialogue. Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closer to their ailing mother. While their father is working, the girls explore their sprawling old house and the forest and fields that surround it. Soon, Satsuki and Mei discover Totoro, a magical forest spirit who takes them on fantastic adventures through the trees and the clouds--and teaches them a lesson about trusting one another.

Kiki, a young witch-in-training, has reached the age of 13. According to tradition, all witches of that age must leave home for one year, so that they can learn how to live on their own. Kiki, along with her talking cat Jiji, fly away to live in the seaside town of Korico. After starting her own delivery service (using her broom as the delivery vehicle), Kiki must learn how to deal with her new life, especially after she loses the power to fly. A breezy picture and story book featuring artwork taken directly from the movie, Kiki’s Delivery Service.

In Early 1930''s era Italy, air pirates, bounty hunters and high flyers of all sorts rule the skies. The most cunning and skilled of these pilots is Porco Rosso, a man cursed with the head of a pig after watching the spirits of the pilots killed in the last air battle he fought in rise to the heavens. He now makes a living taking jobs, such as rescuing those kidnapped by air pirates. Donald Curtis, Porco''s rival in the air and in catching the affections of women, provides a constant challenge to the hero, culminating in a hilarious, action packed finale. The Art of Porco Rosso English Version, a film by Hayao Miyazaki. Contains Original Story The Age of the Flying Boat, Full of Pride and Freedom, Ships in the Sky, Art of Art, Film Ending Illustrations.

Sophie thinks of herself as plain and boring, especially compared to her vivacious younger sister Lettie. Sophie expects to spend the rest of her life quietly making hats in the back room of her family''s shop, but as her country prepares for war, she is forced to set out on an extraordinary adventure! With the Royal Sorcerer hot on their heels, Howl moves house, and Sophie finds herself back where she started, in her family’s hat shop. But she isn’t the same plain and timid Sophie—she’s been cursed, chased, and even fallen in love with an infamous wizard! Now her new strength will be tested as the war breaks out in the skies above town and Howl’s life is threatened by mysterious magic!

Relive the story of Ponyo and S suke in this full-color picture book! Ponyo is a sweet-faced goldfish from a magical realm under the sea. One day, Ponyo''s curiosity takes her far from home. After accidentally hitching a ride on a jellyfish, Ponyo washes up on the shore and is found by Sosuke, a kindly human boy. The two become fast friends and are swept away on an incredible adventure. Ponyo is a sweet-faced goldfish from a magical realm under the sea. One day, Ponyo''s curiosity takes her far from home. After accidentally hitching a ride on a jellyfish, Ponyo washes up on the shore and is found by Sosuke, a kindly human boy. The two become fast friends and are swept away on an incredible adventure.

Raised by wolves and calling the forest her home, a young girl by the name of Princess Mononoke is the only one who can save the planet! It was the Age of Iron: a time when mankind was just starting to understand its ability to exploit the earth and all its natural resources. But a war was brewing--a war between a village of iron miners and the animal gods of the surrounding forest. Marked with the curse of a rampaging boar god, young Ashitaka sets off on a journey to cure his mysterious affliction. Little does he know that the fate of the entire world is now resting on his shoulders!

Winner of the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated feature, Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro, a girl in the midst of a move to the suburbs who wanders into a strange town and finds a world of spirits ruled over by the mysterious Yubaba. Ten-year-old Chihiro and her family are on their way to their new home. Dad takes a wrong turn, though, and they become lost in a forest. Eventually they find their way to a strange abandoned amusement park. Chihiro wanders off. As night falls, Chihiro finds out she''s in a world of ghosts, demons, and strange gods. A mysterious boy, Haku, tells her that to survive Chihiro must find work. She must go down to the boiler room and seek out an old man named Kamaji...

Acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki’s fantastic adventure takes to the air in search of the Castle in the Sky! Studio Ghibli picture books capture the magic of the legendary studio’s animated films with easy-to-read text, full-color pictures direct from the film, and a family-friendly oversized hardcover format. The legends were true! Somewhere high in the clouds, human beings have again set foot on the floating island of Laputa, for centuries a peaceful, parklike ruin, tended only by its silent, faithful robots. But just behind Pazu and Sheeta are soldiers from the aerial dreadnought Goliath—who have captured Dola and her pirate crew, and are now looting the gold and jewels of the Castle in the Sky for themselves! But the man who guided them there, Muska, has his eyes on power, not money—and he alone knows how to activate the castle’s ancient superweapons that could make him master of the world! Can Pazu and Sheeta stop his sinister plan? Includes scene-by-scene illustrations and character dialogue from the film.

Winner of the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated feature, Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro, a girl in the midst of a move to the suburbs who wanders into a strange town and finds a world of spirits ruled over by the mysterious Yubaba. Is Haku''s illness really from a curse laid on him by Yubaba''s sister Zeniba? Sen is about to journey to Zeniba''s home in Swamp Bottom to find out. But before she can take the mystery train that leads there, she has to confront the frightening No Face, who''s been tearing up the bath house and demanding to see her. Sen is on the verge of answering many questions. Can she pass Yubaba''s final test in order to win back her parents, and even her real name?

From legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki comes Shuna''s Journey, a new manga classic about a prince on a quest for a golden grain that would save his land, never before published in English! Shuna, the prince of a poor land, watches in despair as his people work themselves to death harvesting the little grain that grows there. And so, when a traveler presents him with a sample of seeds from a mysterious western land, he sets out to find the source of the golden grain, dreaming of a better life for his subjects. It is not long before he meets a proud girl named Thea. After freeing her from captivity, he is pursued by her enemies, and while Thea escapes north, Shuna continues toward the west, finally reaching the Land of the God-Folk. Will Shuna ever see Thea again? And will he make it back home from his quest for the golden grain?

Raised by wolves and calling the forest her home, a young girl by the name of Princess Mononoke is the only one who can save the planet! It was the Age of Iron: a time when mankind was just starting to understand its ability to exploit the earth and all its natural resources. But a war was brewing--a war between a village of iron miners and the animal gods of the surrounding forest. Expelled from Lady Eboshi''s iron town, young Ashitaka comes face to face with Princess Mononoke and the denizens of the surrounding forest. Standing before a tribunal of wolves, apes and boars, Ashitaka must be careful. One misspoken word from his lips might doom the entire human race!

Nausicaä, a young princess, has an empathic bond with the giant Ohmu insects and animals of every creed. She fights to create tolerance, understanding and patience among empires that are fighting over the world''s remaining precious natural resources.

An epic fantasy tale written and illustrated by the legendary director Hayao Miyazaki! In a long-ago war, humankind set off a devastating ecological disaster. Thriving indistrial societies disappeared. The earth is slowly submerging beneath the expanding Sea of Corruption, an enormous toxic forest that creates mutant insects and releases a miasma of poisonous spores into the air.At the periphery of the sea, tiny kingdoms are scattered on tiny parcels of land. Here lies the Valley of the Wind, a kingdom of barely 500 citizens; a nation given fragile protection from the decaying sea''s poisons by the ocean breezes; and home to Nausicaä. Now, Princess Nausicaä and the God Warrior, a biotechnological abomination of the war known as the Seven Days of Fire, embark on a journey to the Crypt of Shuwa to seal away the terrible weaponry hidden within. But everyone seems to be conspiring to prevent Nausicaä from carrying out her mission, even the guardian of the crypt himself!