The story of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki's life and work, including
his significant impact on Japan and the world
A thirtieth-century toxic jungle, a bathhouse for tired gods, a
red-haired fish girl, and a furry woodland spirit—what do these
have in common? They all spring from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki, one
of the greatest living animators, known worldwide for films such as
My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving
Castle, and The Wind Rises.
Japanese culture and
animation scholar Susan Napier explores the life and art of this
extraordinary Japanese filmmaker to provide a definitive account of
his oeuvre. Napier insightfully illuminates the multiple themes
crisscrossing his work, from empowered women to environmental
nightmares to utopian dreams, creating an unforgettable portrait of a
man whose art challenged Hollywood dominance and ushered in a new
chapter of global popular culture.