Miyazakiworld
A Life in Art
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Yale University Press
Published:14th Jan '20
Should be back in stock very soon
This insightful exploration of Hayao Miyazaki's life and work highlights his profound impact on animation and global culture, as detailed in Miyazakiworld.
The journey of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is a fascinating exploration of his life and work, which has left an indelible mark on both Japan and the global landscape. In Miyazakiworld, Susan Napier, a respected scholar of Japanese culture and animation, delves into the intricate tapestry of Miyazaki's storytelling. She highlights how his creations—ranging from a toxic jungle in the thirtieth century to a mystical bathhouse for deities—reflect not only his artistic genius but also profound themes that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Napier's analysis goes beyond mere filmography; it examines the recurring motifs that define Miyazaki's films, such as the empowerment of women, the urgency of environmental issues, and the aspiration for utopian ideals. Each character, whether it be a red-haired fish girl or a furry woodland spirit, embodies these themes, making his narratives rich and multifaceted. The book serves as a vital resource for understanding how Miyazaki's work has challenged the norms of Hollywood and contributed to a broader narrative in global popular culture.
Ultimately, Miyazakiworld presents an unforgettable portrait of a filmmaker whose art transcends borders and generations. It invites readers to appreciate not only the beauty of Miyazaki's animation but also the deeper messages woven throughout his stories, ensuring that his legacy will endure for years to come.
“Packed with interesting details about the filmmaker’s life, interests, and inspirations.”—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post
“The celebrated Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement last year, making this compact study of his life and work especially timely.”—John McMurtrie, San Francisco Chronicle (Holiday Gift Guide selection)
“Susan Napier eloquently defines Miyazaki as an auteur who creates immersive animated realms that vary from film to film but are joined by a consistent (albeit evolving) worldview and tropes . . . An essential work in anime scholarship.”—Angelica Frey, Hyperallergic
“Enjoyable and enlightening book.” — Claire Kohda Hazelton, Times Literary Supplement
“A refreshing, intimate, highly original look at Miyazaki Hayao’s oeuvre, including early anime features, mainstream hits and the many-volumed manga, Nausicaa. Miyazaki is placed firmly on the world stage, including both local roots and global impact.”—Rachael Hutchinson, University of Delaware
"An insightful, fascinating, and revealing study of Miyazaki and his worlds by one of the world’s foremost experts in Japanese animated films, Miyazakiworld is a true achievement."—Karen Thornber, Harvard University
"Providing expert guidance to the radically inventive mysteries of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, Susan Napier shows exactly how Japan’s master of animation taps into the wonders of the natural world yet also faces down our demons, exploring trauma, crisis, and the willful destruction of our made world. Like his literary and cinematic forebears, Miyazaki creates a form of wonderlore that reveals the power of art to animate, not just his characters and landscapes, but also his audiences."—Maria Tatar, author of The Annotated Brothers Grimm
"In Miyazakiworld, Susan Napier demonstrates her gift for narrative and passion for enchantment in exploring the spacetime between the fantasy worlds of Hayao Miyazaki’s creation and the grittier worlds that created him."—Jennifer Robertson, author of Robo Sapiens Japanicus
“This wonderful, lively book introduces the whole life and career of Miyazaki via commentary on the narratives and themes within his films, and some manga, and his personal life.”—Sharon Kinsella, The University of Manchester
ISBN: 9780300248593
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
344 pages