Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan’s most beloved animation directors. In 2005 he was awarded the Venice International Film Festival’s Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement, and his Studio Ghibli received the festival’s Osella Award for overall achievement in 2004. Miyazaki’s films include Spirited Away, winner of the 2002 Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature Film, as well as Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, and Ponyo, all of which have received great acclaim in the U.S. Miyazaki’s other achievements include the highly regarded manga series Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Starting Point: 1979-1996, a collection of essays, interviews, and memoirs that chronicle his early career and the development of his theories of animation. Both are published in English by VIZ Media.
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This is an excellent book with lots of example of screenplay drawings and a full script. It was a present for my Granddaughter who was delighted with it. Of course it only makes sense if you have the film on DVD or other format. Very good value. All the music for the film is available as piano music free on the internet.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2018
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Howl's moving castle is a beautiful movie, the artistic design of everything in the world is incredible and original and this book only helps emphasis this. Any "The art of..." is great and if your a fan of a series, you really need to get these kind of books. Quotes from the artists are in here and it came in great condition.
Part I - Hayao Miyazaki's Concept Sketch Collection The first part of the book works as an Introduction, containing a brief production diary and sketched storyboards. It is of particular interest to be able to see Miyazaki's work in its sketching phase.
Part II - Concept Art, Background Art, Character Designs and Character Sketches This second part is where the book really comes alive. Character Designs and Concept Art are wonderfully detailed, and are accompanied by statements from Miyazaki's crew. I suppose it's a little disappointing that there are no words from Miyazaki himself, but this absence does not come as a surprise.
Part III -. Final Screenplay Self-explanatory, the last 50 pages or so contain the final screenplay, in text. Probably the least interesting part of the book.
Overall, it's a beautiful book, filled with wondrous artwork and insight into what is probably Miyazaki's most enigmatic film, and to me, one of his best.
5.0 out of 5 starsThe book is like THE book that collects absolutely EVERYTHING any fans and ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 March 2017
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The book is like THE book that collects absolutely EVERYTHING any fans and critics can ask of, such as the production processes, character development and aesthetic philosophy of Hayao Miyazaki carried out by his creative staff. All the interviews of each responsible staff in juxtaposition of the visual indulgence captured from the animation produce exciting coherence of Miyazaki's humanistic and environmentalist world-views in both fantastical worlds and social realities. You can literally feel how happy the Studio staff work in each project from their positive 'testimonials' of Miyazaki. Love this Christmas present for dissertation writing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 November 2018
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Bought for my daughter who's a Studio Gibli fan and it's a great gift. Well set out with great illustrations and pictures and some background on the film development. A good purchase