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Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation
Artist-writer-director-producer Hayao Miyazaki is often called "the Walt Disney of Japan." His animated theatrical features have been smash hits in Japan, and many, including My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service , are already familiar to American audiences. Now, with Disney-Miramax's imminent release of Princess Mononoke, , Miyazaki's masterwork and one of the top-grossing film in all Japanese history, this "animation master" is about to take America and the world by storm.
Mixing first-hand interview and personal insights with critical evaluations of art, plot, production qualities, and literary themes, McCarthy provides a film-by-film appraisal that examines technique as well as message. She reveals Miyazaki to be not just a master of the art of animation, but a meticulous craftsman who sees his work as a medium for shaping the humanistic and environmental concerns of our times.
An overview of the artist and his early career is followed by in-depth examinations of seven major Miyazaki Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, Castle in the Sky, Castle of Cagliostro, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso , and Princess Mononoke . Included are design and technical data, story synopses and character sketches, personnel and filmography data, and critical evaluation. Illustrations throughout, in color and black and white, show the detail and vigor of Miyazaki's art.
Written for anime fans as well as students of film, literature, and popular culture, McCarthy's book raises animation criticism to a whole new level and is an essential guide to the work of a world-class filmmaker.
London-based Helen McCarthy is author of Anime! A Beginner's Guide to Japanese Animation, The Anime Movie Guide , and (with Jonathan Clements) The Erotic Anime Movie Guide . She appears frequently on radio and TV and at conferences around the world.
Mixing first-hand interview and personal insights with critical evaluations of art, plot, production qualities, and literary themes, McCarthy provides a film-by-film appraisal that examines technique as well as message. She reveals Miyazaki to be not just a master of the art of animation, but a meticulous craftsman who sees his work as a medium for shaping the humanistic and environmental concerns of our times.
An overview of the artist and his early career is followed by in-depth examinations of seven major Miyazaki Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, Castle in the Sky, Castle of Cagliostro, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso , and Princess Mononoke . Included are design and technical data, story synopses and character sketches, personnel and filmography data, and critical evaluation. Illustrations throughout, in color and black and white, show the detail and vigor of Miyazaki's art.
Written for anime fans as well as students of film, literature, and popular culture, McCarthy's book raises animation criticism to a whole new level and is an essential guide to the work of a world-class filmmaker.
London-based Helen McCarthy is author of Anime! A Beginner's Guide to Japanese Animation, The Anime Movie Guide , and (with Jonathan Clements) The Erotic Anime Movie Guide . She appears frequently on radio and TV and at conferences around the world.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
14 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Helen McCarthy
24 books17 followersLibrarian note:
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There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 18, 2012
McCarthy introduces the earliest Miyazaki films to be dubbed and distributed in the US. Published in 1999, this is not comprehensive, English language dubs were not available for yet to be completed films like "Spirited Away," "Howls Moving Castle" and "Whisper of the Heart."
If you've not seen Miyazaki's movies, the author describes his early-releases in pages long detail. She assumes an unfamiliar audience. In 1999, Miyazaki was not well known in the US, he only gained wide popularity after Disney's domestic release of "Spirited Away."
For the initiated, there is still some good stuff on Miyazaki's inspirations but the long movie descriptions from films you've already watched may drag. Miyazaki is very interesting but a more current book is needed."
If you've not seen Miyazaki's movies, the author describes his early-releases in pages long detail. She assumes an unfamiliar audience. In 1999, Miyazaki was not well known in the US, he only gained wide popularity after Disney's domestic release of "Spirited Away."
For the initiated, there is still some good stuff on Miyazaki's inspirations but the long movie descriptions from films you've already watched may drag. Miyazaki is very interesting but a more current book is needed."
June 10, 2023
Descriptive and uncritical. But, then, the films offer charming fun not intellectual interest.
January 14, 2024
If you want to learn more about Miyazaki’s older films, this is the book. Not only does the author discuss a few of some of his most famous and popular films, she talks about life at the studio, the process of animation, interviews she had with Miyazaki himself! Very interesting! Recommend
June 13, 2020
I appreciate Helen McCarthy’s work spearheading Miyazaki as a scholarly subject and her continued work in the field of critical anime study, but by 2020 this book is really showing its age. The initial biography and animation process chapters were helpful, and I found her commentary on Princess Mononoke especially helpful. However the bulk of the book felt very bloated—there was no need, in my opinion, to give very detailed movie summaries and character lists.
July 18, 2017
You should know going in that this is an older book, written around the millennium when there were only seven Miyazaki films to talk about (Cagliostro, Nausicaa, Castle in the Sky, Kiki, Totoro, Porco Rosso and Mononoke). No Howl, no Spirited Away... If you're already a Ghibli fan, most of the book will be old hat, but it was kind of nice to read McCarthy's gushing about these beloved films. Some fine early quotes from Miyazaki about art and process, and some info about his non-film endeavors. Nothing new really, but it will probably make you want to rewatch these seven.
February 12, 2023
One of the best book gifts my sister has ever given me 💕
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November 6, 2024it's funny because this came out in 1999 and Miyazaki is still insisting he is about to retire. loved reading about some old favorites like porco though!
February 13, 2008
My recent Miyazaki marathon inspired me to finally read Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation: Films, Themes, Artistry by Helen McCarthy, a book I’ve owned since 1999, thumbed through often, but never actually read all the way through.
This was the book that I copied the story synopses back when they only way to see the majority of Miyazaki’s film was on Japanese VHS with no subtitles rented from a little Japanese market in Tempe. Remember that?
Anyway I really enjoyed this book despite it being absolutely horrible. Helen McCarthy wrote this book like a massive editorial continually interjecting her opinions and experiences. Also there were a lot of mistakes, in both typos and facts. That and she incessantly went on and on about how wonderful she thinks Western audiences should find Miyazaki once they get the opportunity to see his films . . . and shame on them for not having that opportunity yet. This book came out when only Mononoke and Kiki’s were available.
Anyway, McCarthy was extensive if not totally accurate and it was on a subject that I love so very much. So in the end, the Miyazaki-ism outweighed the McCarthyism and I enjoyed the book despite it all.
You find that that happens to you very often? You read a book that isn’t very good about a subject you are passionate about and so you kind of dig the book?
Anyway there aren’t many books in English about Miyazaki but Amazon says there is one coming out in September, The Myth And Magic of Hayao Miyazaki: Experiencing the Works of Anime's Master Director by Andrew Osmond. Maybe that will be much better.
- Kohl
August 30, 2007
This was the book that I copied the story synopses back when they only way to see the majority of Miyazaki’s film was on Japanese VHS with no subtitles rented from a little Japanese market in Tempe. Remember that?
Anyway I really enjoyed this book despite it being absolutely horrible. Helen McCarthy wrote this book like a massive editorial continually interjecting her opinions and experiences. Also there were a lot of mistakes, in both typos and facts. That and she incessantly went on and on about how wonderful she thinks Western audiences should find Miyazaki once they get the opportunity to see his films . . . and shame on them for not having that opportunity yet. This book came out when only Mononoke and Kiki’s were available.
Anyway, McCarthy was extensive if not totally accurate and it was on a subject that I love so very much. So in the end, the Miyazaki-ism outweighed the McCarthyism and I enjoyed the book despite it all.
You find that that happens to you very often? You read a book that isn’t very good about a subject you are passionate about and so you kind of dig the book?
Anyway there aren’t many books in English about Miyazaki but Amazon says there is one coming out in September, The Myth And Magic of Hayao Miyazaki: Experiencing the Works of Anime's Master Director by Andrew Osmond. Maybe that will be much better.
- Kohl
August 30, 2007
March 9, 2016
McCarthy writes a book for audiences in the USA, and she intends it as a comprehensive and personal introduction to Miyazaki and what the USA will recieve shortly after or has just recieved. It includes technical facts that might be difficult to find elsewere and great pieces of information extracted from her own interview with Miyazaki and the rest of the Studio Ghiblio main cast.
However, don't read it as an academic read. She is widely personal, scattering oppinions in between explanations of the story (maybe involuntary, I'm not sure to what extent she noticed she was changing some plots as she described them), commentary and literally everything. She also has no criticism at all on the films, and lacks a few interesting insights.
All in all, it's a good place for fans and as a starting guide, maybe a good place to look up Miyazaki's whole filmography for a quick check and then progress, but not a great academic book.
However, don't read it as an academic read. She is widely personal, scattering oppinions in between explanations of the story (maybe involuntary, I'm not sure to what extent she noticed she was changing some plots as she described them), commentary and literally everything. She also has no criticism at all on the films, and lacks a few interesting insights.
All in all, it's a good place for fans and as a starting guide, maybe a good place to look up Miyazaki's whole filmography for a quick check and then progress, but not a great academic book.
March 11, 2015
I purchased this book when I was first getting into anime, and I've had it for a very long time. It was originally published in 1999 and was most likely purchased around then. After sitting around for 15 or so years, I figured I may as well read it.
Despite being out of date, the book isn't bad. It covers the 7 Miyazaki films that were out at the time, "Castle of Cagliostro", Nausicaa of the Valley of the Winds", "Castle in the Sky", "Kiki's Delivery Service", "My Neighbor Totoro", "Porco Rosso", and "Princess Mononoke". Each film receives its own chapter which includes introductions to the major characters, a synopsis, a background on the making of the film, and a commentary by the author. It's all fairly straight forward, but you can tell the author absolutely adores Miyazaki's films.
If nothing else, it made me kind of want to dig through my DVDs and watch some these again.
Despite being out of date, the book isn't bad. It covers the 7 Miyazaki films that were out at the time, "Castle of Cagliostro", Nausicaa of the Valley of the Winds", "Castle in the Sky", "Kiki's Delivery Service", "My Neighbor Totoro", "Porco Rosso", and "Princess Mononoke". Each film receives its own chapter which includes introductions to the major characters, a synopsis, a background on the making of the film, and a commentary by the author. It's all fairly straight forward, but you can tell the author absolutely adores Miyazaki's films.
If nothing else, it made me kind of want to dig through my DVDs and watch some these again.
May 5, 2008
The book was great; although the summaries of the movies didn't give them justice. Those should have been left out.
If the writer would have focused more on underlining meanings and the actual history and productions of the movies, it would have been a more likable book.
If the writer would have focused more on underlining meanings and the actual history and productions of the movies, it would have been a more likable book.
March 18, 2008
While a good try, the author is mostly just a raving fan of Miyazaki-san's work. For those who seek insight into the Ghibli process, look elsewhere - - not a lot of that here.
December 20, 2019
This book was published in 1999, and a lot of things have happened in Miyazaki's artistic life during the last twenty years (in 1999 he had yet to direct "Spirited Away", "Howl's Moving Castle", "Ponyo" and "The Wind Rises", reach international fame thanks to the first two movies and even win an Oscar and receive the honorary Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award at the 62nd Venice International Film Festival).
Nevertheless, this book is a very good starter guide for people - both anime scholars and simply amateurs - who want to know more about the life and the works of the Japanese Master of Animation. McCarthy has a long experience in the Japanese animation field and it shows. She wrote in a period when these movie had yet to be realeased in Western market with accurate translation and a curated dubbing, so, every chapter of his book dedicated to one of Miyazaki's film present an articulated synopsis - and the author inform the reader they can skip those sections, if they don't want to read spoilers about the movies they haven't seen yet (I did skip those sections, indeed, but because I already watched every movie she dissected, though, I briefly read a couple of them and they were clear and well-written as the rest of the book).
I really, really enjoyed McCarthy's essay, not only because, even if she appreciates Miyazaki's works, she tries her best to be as unbiased as possible, even reporting negative critiques about his movies. Fact is, this book is built on solid foundations: the author knows Japanese, she interviewed Miyazaki and Suzuki for this book, she read interviews, she knows how the Japanese market of animation works, she tries her best to avoid Orientalist diversions in his recount - and her retelling of Miyazaki's first years in the animation industry are very interesting and instructive.
Maybe she could've delved deeper into the animation tecniques' discourse, but, nevertheless, this is still one of the best texts I've read by far about Miyazaki's works and legacy, even if it was published twenty years ago. A very recommended reading.
Nevertheless, this book is a very good starter guide for people - both anime scholars and simply amateurs - who want to know more about the life and the works of the Japanese Master of Animation. McCarthy has a long experience in the Japanese animation field and it shows. She wrote in a period when these movie had yet to be realeased in Western market with accurate translation and a curated dubbing, so, every chapter of his book dedicated to one of Miyazaki's film present an articulated synopsis - and the author inform the reader they can skip those sections, if they don't want to read spoilers about the movies they haven't seen yet (I did skip those sections, indeed, but because I already watched every movie she dissected, though, I briefly read a couple of them and they were clear and well-written as the rest of the book).
I really, really enjoyed McCarthy's essay, not only because, even if she appreciates Miyazaki's works, she tries her best to be as unbiased as possible, even reporting negative critiques about his movies. Fact is, this book is built on solid foundations: the author knows Japanese, she interviewed Miyazaki and Suzuki for this book, she read interviews, she knows how the Japanese market of animation works, she tries her best to avoid Orientalist diversions in his recount - and her retelling of Miyazaki's first years in the animation industry are very interesting and instructive.
Maybe she could've delved deeper into the animation tecniques' discourse, but, nevertheless, this is still one of the best texts I've read by far about Miyazaki's works and legacy, even if it was published twenty years ago. A very recommended reading.
April 12, 2020
2020.04.06–2020.04.07
Contents
McCarthy H (1999) (07:59) Hayao Miyazaki - Master of Japanese Animation
Preface
Note to Readers
Captions to Color Pages
1. Hayao Miyazaki: Life and Work
• Early Years
• Into Animation
• A Basic Guide: Animation Technique
• Movies and Manga
• Under Pressure
• Future Perfect?
2. Castle of Cagliostro: The Princess and the Thief
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
3. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds: Princess Messiah
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
4. Castle in the Sky: Flight to Adventure
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
5. My Neighbor Totoro: The Beauty of Simplicity
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
6. Kiki’s Delivery Service: The Quest for Confidence
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
7. Porco Rosso: The Princess and the Pig
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
8. Princess Mononoke: The Nature of Love
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
9. The Miyazaki Machine: More Than Just Movies
• Merchandise
• On Your Mark
• Other Projects
Filmography with Selected Manga
Notes
Bibliography
Contents
McCarthy H (1999) (07:59) Hayao Miyazaki - Master of Japanese Animation
Preface
Note to Readers
Captions to Color Pages
1. Hayao Miyazaki: Life and Work
• Early Years
• Into Animation
• A Basic Guide: Animation Technique
• Movies and Manga
• Under Pressure
• Future Perfect?
2. Castle of Cagliostro: The Princess and the Thief
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
3. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds: Princess Messiah
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
4. Castle in the Sky: Flight to Adventure
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
5. My Neighbor Totoro: The Beauty of Simplicity
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
6. Kiki’s Delivery Service: The Quest for Confidence
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
7. Porco Rosso: The Princess and the Pig
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
8. Princess Mononoke: The Nature of Love
• Origins
• Art and Technique
• The Characters
• The Story
• Commentary
9. The Miyazaki Machine: More Than Just Movies
• Merchandise
• On Your Mark
• Other Projects
Filmography with Selected Manga
Notes
Bibliography
April 22, 2018
In this book, Helen McCarthy dives into what turned out to be the early years of Miyazaki’s career. Published in 1999 (though this is a 2002 revises edition), it covers early life and work in one chapter, then goes into extensive details of seven of his movies (through Princess Mononoke), with a final chapter on merchandising and distribution. In the back of the book is a filmography with selected manga, endnotes (mostly sources for quotes and interviews), and a bibliography.
Thorough, thought-out, and brimming with references to interviews with Miyazaki and others, this is well worth reading to those interested in the subject in spite of being out of date.
Thorough, thought-out, and brimming with references to interviews with Miyazaki and others, this is well worth reading to those interested in the subject in spite of being out of date.
January 24, 2019
I really loved listening to this audiobook. It was great to learn about Miyazaki's early days/films. I loved hearing about all the inspiration for each movie. I have been watching each movie while listening. It's been great! I just think the end about merchandising and other stuff didn't need to be in the book. All in all, this is an impressive collection of knowledge about Studio Ghibli's beginnings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2024
Audiobook. If this book was about any other person/studio, I would have rated it lower, because I was expecting solely a biography instead of character lists and plots of films. However, I’ve always felt like the films of Studio Ghibli were a bit out of my reach of understanding (they’re not like watching a Disney movie that follows the same formula each time), so this was helpful to get an overview of their earliest movies. Now, time to go watch one of them! I’ll see you over on Letterboxd!
May 18, 2018
3 stars
While Miyazaki and his films are completely facinating, this book is not. Admittedly all the details are here, but written in such a dry, dull fashion that it makes it a joyless read. Films this beautiful should not be this boring to read about. A good source for film facts, a bit of a chore to get through.
While Miyazaki and his films are completely facinating, this book is not. Admittedly all the details are here, but written in such a dry, dull fashion that it makes it a joyless read. Films this beautiful should not be this boring to read about. A good source for film facts, a bit of a chore to get through.
January 16, 2019
Great overview of, and slight journey into, the wonderful world of Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli. It cuts off at Princess Mononoke and feels at time like it’s reading off the Wikipedia page for each book. My favorite parts were the first couple of chapters where they dive into the history of his career and the details of the animation process.
March 15, 2020
Interesting reading for Miyazaki fans but was published before Spirited Away and a lot of his other movies were made. Also spends a lot of time on what in 2020 seems like totally unnecessary descriptions of characters and plot but maybe they were useful in a time before Miyazaki's films were easily accessible in the US.
September 7, 2023
Jako suhoparno napisano, mislim da bi preporučila svima da rađe pogledaju dokumentarac.
U prvom dijelu autorica navodi samo činjenice iz Miyazakijeva života, nakon toga je kratak opis koji tip animacije koriste u Ghiblijevom studiju i odustala sam na dijelu gdje doslovno ide prepričavati sadržaj Lupin filma.
U prvom dijelu autorica navodi samo činjenice iz Miyazakijeva života, nakon toga je kratak opis koji tip animacije koriste u Ghiblijevom studiju i odustala sam na dijelu gdje doslovno ide prepričavati sadržaj Lupin filma.
June 2, 2024
Wanted to love this but it ended up falling a bit flat.
A lot of the book is spent summarizing the plots of the movies in detail, which maybe was better suited for when this book initially came out, but it just feels very unnecessary in current day.
I did enjoy the behind the scenes information and the more personal information, but I just wish I saw more or that and less plot summaries.
A lot of the book is spent summarizing the plots of the movies in detail, which maybe was better suited for when this book initially came out, but it just feels very unnecessary in current day.
I did enjoy the behind the scenes information and the more personal information, but I just wish I saw more or that and less plot summaries.
April 24, 2020
While dated (it ends with Princess Mononoke) it's an interesting look at some of the best films ever made, though a disproportionate amount of time is spent recapping the plots (though understandable as at the time they were not easily accessible the way they are now).
October 8, 2018
the biographic part is really brief, but very insightful.
And I loved the analysis of each one of the films.
It covers from The Castle of Cagliostro to Princess Mononoke
Loved every page
And I loved the analysis of each one of the films.
It covers from The Castle of Cagliostro to Princess Mononoke
Loved every page
November 3, 2020
It’s okay (not as good as these extraordinary films deserve!) but okay. Some lovely anecdotes and behind-the-scenes details.
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March 9, 2022This book was discussed on Episode 62 of The Secret Stacks.
December 21, 2023
Did not enjoy the retelling of each famous movie. Would have preferred to hear more about the development of each film instead.
Read
May 15, 2025I was expecting more of a biography, this is mostly a summary of some of his films with a little backstory in the making of them.
November 16, 2025
A must-read for fans of Hayao Miyazaki!
May 17, 2012
I have been a fan of Miyazaki since middle school, when I first saw Princess Mononoke. (It was a bit too violent for me...but I was amazed at the beautiful animation). I have since watched Spirited Away, Totoro, Ponyo, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, Panda Go Panda, and Nausicaa Valley of the Wind. This book is an introduction to Miyazaki's main works (latest work was Kiki at the time this book was printed), and has a few nice full-color pages, along with a summation, and 'commentary' (although the author is a super-fan, so they were all biased...). Interesting parts include a complete filmography of all works Miyazaki (at the time) had even been a part of. Since reading this book, I have sought out the films I have not seen and am enjoying watching them. If you are new to anime or Miyazaki, this is a good starter book. It would be nice to see an updated version, especially with more information about Studio Ghibli.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews