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天空の城ラピュタ [Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa] #2
Castle In The Sky, Vol. 2
From the creator of the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away , a legend of the days of the first flying machines, where fantastic adventure takes to the air in search of the Castle In The Sky ! Pirates greedy for treasure and secret agents hungry for power are both chasing Sheeta, a young girl who wears a mysterious blue stone around her neck. The stone's power makes Sheeta defy gravity?and float down into the life of Pazu, a tough young orphan boy inventor. What ancient secrets link Sheeta's stone to the incredible dangers and mysteries of the Castle In The Sky ? Unlike other graphic novels, this series features full-color illustrated stills from the movie printed on quality paper and is published in the original right-to-left format. Together, these four volumes give readers the complete story of the animated feature, and are the perfect gift for fans of the movie and Japanese graphic novels.
A legend of the days of the first flying machines, where fantastic adventure takes to the air! Pirates greedy for treasure and secret agents hungry for power are both chasing Sheeta, a young girl who wears a mysterious blue stone around her neck. The stone's power makes Sheeta defy gravity and float down into the life of Pazu, a tough young orphan boy inventor. Soon Pazu and Sheeta are caught up together--way up, into the clouds, where somewhere awaits Laputa, a floating city built by a lost race of people. What ancient secrets link Sheeta's stone to the incredible dangers and mysteries of the Castle In The Sky ?
A legend of the days of the first flying machines, where fantastic adventure takes to the air! Pirates greedy for treasure and secret agents hungry for power are both chasing Sheeta, a young girl who wears a mysterious blue stone around her neck. The stone's power makes Sheeta defy gravity and float down into the life of Pazu, a tough young orphan boy inventor. Soon Pazu and Sheeta are caught up together--way up, into the clouds, where somewhere awaits Laputa, a floating city built by a lost race of people. What ancient secrets link Sheeta's stone to the incredible dangers and mysteries of the Castle In The Sky ?
164 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2003
161 people want to read
About the author
Hayao Miyazaki
366 books3,497 followersHayao Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 駿) is a celebrated Japanese animator, filmmaker, screenwriter, and manga artist, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of animation. He is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, the animation studio responsible for producing many of Japan’s most beloved and internationally acclaimed animated films. Over the course of a career spanning decades, Miyazaki has developed a reputation for creating visually rich, emotionally resonant stories that often explore themes such as nature, pacifism, flight, childhood, and the human condition.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 11, 2025
The ancient robot is reawakened on Sheeta’s and Pazu’s quest for Laputia, the source of the stones power. They are still being chased and hitch a ride with pirates
January 13, 2019
::Castle In The Sky's Characters::
Dola
Captain Dola is woman who is hard on the outside, but quite soft at heart. In the beginning of the film, she was labeled as one of the bad guys; she invaded a passenger air ship, she fired at people, and she led her crew on a violent chase after Pazu and Sheeta on the railroad tracks. However, she really wasn't that bad a person, just a person who was temporarily blinded by the vision of riches.
When she saw the sincerity in Pazu's eyes as he begged to be allowed to go to the fortress so that he can save Sheeta, she let him. If anyone asked her, she would say she only brought him along because he was beneficial to the mission, but in all sincere truth, she did it because she wanted to help. Her love for Pazu and Sheeta was also shown when she refused to leave Laputa until the last possible minute, so that they can at least try to save the twosome.
Captain Dola is a strong-willed woman. She leads her entire crew, and they follow her every command. (Partly because they respect her, but also because they are afraid of her). The one person who isn't afraid of her is her engineer, with whom she has been a friend for a long time. They even play chess together sometimes.
Captain Dola has three sons, and they are all part of her crew. They are not nearly as smart or brave as she is, but sometimes DNA need a time to develop, so maybe they will develop those qualities later.
In the end of the film Captain Dola's ship was destroyed. However, this does not mean her adventures are over, because she and her crew were able to get some valuables from Laputa. So who knows? Maybe they will use the valuables to start new lives, lives free of crime. Or, they will invest the money in a new air-ship, and go on many more adventures.
***
Mooska
Mooska, like Sheeta, is a descendent of the Laputians who once lived in the castle of the sky. He joined the government as a means of using their resources, while secretly planning his own agenda. He scoffed when the soldiers celebrated their discovery of the treasures; he did not care about the gold or the jewels or diamonds, because he knew none of them could even remotely represent what Laputa was worth. He had made it his life's quest to search for Laputa, so he can give himself the "rightful" place on the throne. He knew having control of Laputa would mean having control over the world, because Laputa possessed the technology to destroy everything on Earth.
Mooska is ruthless and does not care about anyone or himself. As soon as he found what he was looking for, he killed his comrades because they were no longer needed. As a test to prove the power of Laputa, he killed thousands of soldiers and destroyed a part of Earth with a weapon that had the power of a nuclear device.
Mooska is the villain of all villains. He is cruel, heartless, ruthless, and selfish. He feels no guilt, nor even a glimmer of remorse, as he consciously commits destruction and determinate lives. There really is no hope for him, because he can never change. He died in the end, when Sheeta and Pazu activated the destruction spell of Laputa.
Dola
Captain Dola is woman who is hard on the outside, but quite soft at heart. In the beginning of the film, she was labeled as one of the bad guys; she invaded a passenger air ship, she fired at people, and she led her crew on a violent chase after Pazu and Sheeta on the railroad tracks. However, she really wasn't that bad a person, just a person who was temporarily blinded by the vision of riches.
When she saw the sincerity in Pazu's eyes as he begged to be allowed to go to the fortress so that he can save Sheeta, she let him. If anyone asked her, she would say she only brought him along because he was beneficial to the mission, but in all sincere truth, she did it because she wanted to help. Her love for Pazu and Sheeta was also shown when she refused to leave Laputa until the last possible minute, so that they can at least try to save the twosome.
Captain Dola is a strong-willed woman. She leads her entire crew, and they follow her every command. (Partly because they respect her, but also because they are afraid of her). The one person who isn't afraid of her is her engineer, with whom she has been a friend for a long time. They even play chess together sometimes.
Captain Dola has three sons, and they are all part of her crew. They are not nearly as smart or brave as she is, but sometimes DNA need a time to develop, so maybe they will develop those qualities later.
In the end of the film Captain Dola's ship was destroyed. However, this does not mean her adventures are over, because she and her crew were able to get some valuables from Laputa. So who knows? Maybe they will use the valuables to start new lives, lives free of crime. Or, they will invest the money in a new air-ship, and go on many more adventures.
***
Mooska
Mooska, like Sheeta, is a descendent of the Laputians who once lived in the castle of the sky. He joined the government as a means of using their resources, while secretly planning his own agenda. He scoffed when the soldiers celebrated their discovery of the treasures; he did not care about the gold or the jewels or diamonds, because he knew none of them could even remotely represent what Laputa was worth. He had made it his life's quest to search for Laputa, so he can give himself the "rightful" place on the throne. He knew having control of Laputa would mean having control over the world, because Laputa possessed the technology to destroy everything on Earth.
Mooska is ruthless and does not care about anyone or himself. As soon as he found what he was looking for, he killed his comrades because they were no longer needed. As a test to prove the power of Laputa, he killed thousands of soldiers and destroyed a part of Earth with a weapon that had the power of a nuclear device.
Mooska is the villain of all villains. He is cruel, heartless, ruthless, and selfish. He feels no guilt, nor even a glimmer of remorse, as he consciously commits destruction and determinate lives. There really is no hope for him, because he can never change. He died in the end, when Sheeta and Pazu activated the destruction spell of Laputa.
September 14, 2019
Since I had read the 1st book, I thought I might as well continue the series. I liked the art, but am still getting used to reading manga. If I was more attached to this story I likely would've enjoyed this more. Overall this is a quick read and if you're a fan of the Ghibli movie I would recommend it.
September 6, 2025
Muska captures Sheeta in a military base and threatens her to agree to his plan so that Pazu can be freed! The robot reawakens from Sheeta's magic spell. Dola's gang is close to the military base. And, the magical stone is with Muska! Action packed manga and as usual enjoying the art!
August 14, 2020
nostalgia at its finest
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews