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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 ?

164 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2003

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About the author

Hayao Miyazaki

366 books3,497 followers
Hayao 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.

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5 stars
159 (48%)
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96 (29%)
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58 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Nouru-éddine.
1,460 reviews278 followers
January 13, 2019
::Castle In The Sky's Characters::


Sheeta

2




Sheeta, full name Lusheeta Toelle Ul Laputa, is the heroine of the story. She grew up in the remote parts of the mountains where her family raised livestocks as a means of living. When she was very young, her parents died, leaving her in the care of her Grandmother, who probably died shortly before the movie began.

One day, after a day of work, Sheeta sees a group of men in suits approach her home, and that is how the story begins. This group of men, who we saw in the beginning of the film on the passenger air-craft, took her hostage and as well took the pendant which is a family heirloom.

Sheeta knew nothing about Laputa, except that it was part of her family name. It was only through the meeting of Pazu that she should learn the truth of her ancestry.

According to Mooska, Sheeta's name indicates that she is of royal Laputian blood, and therefore, the throne was destined to be hers. However, Mooska also contains royal Laputian blood, and reveals to her he is in fact her uncle.

Sheeta is very kind-hearted and a sweet girl. She is brave, intelligent, and a generous person. The friendship between Sheeta and Pazu was most likely the best thing that has ever happened to both of them, because they helped each other realize goals and dreams, and found each other to cease their once lonely exsistence.

***

Pazu

1





Pazu is a young boy whose goal was to fly into the sky to search for Laputa. His father was a pilot who long ago discovered and photographed Laputa, the picture which now hung above Pazu's desk. However, people did not believe that the castle in the sky exsisted, and Pazu's father died in sadness. That is why Pazu is so motivated and determined to find the lost castlele, because he wanted to prove that his father was telling the truth.

Since Pazu was an orphan, his mentor took him under his wing and gave Pazu a job at the mine. It was when he was working late one night at the mine that he should discover Sheeta.

Pazu is a brave and determined boy. He was willing to risk his life to save Sheeta, and remained calm and strong even when all the odds were stacked against him.

Pazu has many talents. Aside from that fact that he is very good at building model air planes, he can also play the trumpet. In the beginning of the film, he awoken the town with one of the most beautiful trumpet piece.
43 reviews16 followers
October 7, 2011
The movie is what inspired me to be an artist. That is the highest praise I can think of.
Profile Image for Brooke (B for Books).
822 reviews27 followers
June 11, 2025
Sheeta falls from the sky with the help of a magic crystal and Pazu thinks she must be an angel. He helps her run away from pirates in an epic train car chase scene. What doesn't come as a surprise if you've seen any of the movies is the way the artwork moves and tells the story without hardly any dialogue at all. It's magic.
Profile Image for James.
4,310 reviews
February 6, 2024
Amazing screening captures from the movie. I enjoy the world that has been created.
Profile Image for Steff Fox.
1,580 reviews167 followers
March 9, 2021
| Review on Reader Fox Blog |


I'm a sucker for nostalgia, that's no secret. So, it really shouldn't be a surprise at all that the day I found out Castle in the Sky manga existed, I went ahead and bought all four without a second thought. And sure, I'll be the first to admit that if I didn't love this movie as much as I do, I probably wouldn't be so immensely determined to own these, in fact, I probably wouldn't have given them a second glance. With that said, I'm actually thoroughly pleased with myself for having all but one currently sitting on my shelf (the last is in the mail).

Driving that nostalgia train.

The manga novelization of Castle in the Sky is basically movie screen captures spread out into a book format. You're not really getting anything new and, in fact, you're kind of getting less since portions of the dialogue are either missing, changed, or cut down. I found this kind of interesting, considering the fact that everything was taken from the film. That said, I believe it was translated directly from Japanese to English rather than taken from the English dubbed film version. In that sense, I'm not really surprised or upset about how everything transferred over.

This is only 1/4th of the story, so you're pulled in just as you were in the film. You meet all the key characters and quickly fall in love with Sheeta and Patsu. Before you know it, you've been thrown into a journey filled with excitement and danger. Honestly, I have so many emotions about the story these two characters experience that there really wasn't any question of me loving this book.

So colorful.

The artwork, unsurprisingly, was beautiful. I mean, you're basically taking the movie and putting it into a book. Of course the artwork was gorgeous. One thing that made me immensely happy was to see how colorful everything was. Since everything had to be colored for the movie, it didn't really take much to include the colored versions in the manga. Unlike typical manga that I read, like Fullmetal Alchemist, where coloring would be costly and time-consuming, it was a bit easier to do it here.

As a result, I absolutely love flipping through these pages. There's a genuine sense that you're almost watching the movie as you read it, which was kind of exciting to experience. Now, volume one ends right in a moment of extreme tension; not much has happened yet in terms of the journey these two characters experience, but you find yourself somewhat at the edge of your seat.

And just as the tension mounts, it is brought to a somewhat abrupt halt as you watch the two characters pass into an unknown, yet safer space than the one they were in before.

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Profile Image for Linn.
63 reviews
December 17, 2023
Hayao Miyazaki captured my heart years ago, pne my the first pieces by him that I watched/read was 'Castle In The Sky.' Miyazaki continues to weave magic that resonates with both nostalgia and timeless wonder. This manga adaptation of the beloved animated film is a masterpiece that beautifully translates Miyazaki's enchanting storytelling onto the pages. The story, set in a whimsical world suspended in the clouds, unfolds with a perfect blend of adventure, mystery, and the enduring theme of the power of human connection."

One of Miyazaki's strengths lies in his ability to create vibrant and memorable characters, and this volume is no exception. The protagonists, Pazu and Sheeta, are endearing and relatable, drawing readers into their journey to discover the secrets of Laputa. The supporting cast, from sky pirates to mystical creatures, adds layers of charm and complexity to the narrative. Miyazaki's character designs, coupled with the expressive art, breathe life into every page.

The artwork itself is a visual feast. Miyazaki's attention to detail, whether capturing the vast landscapes or the intricate machinery of the floating city, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Each panel is a work of art, and the pacing of the story allows for moments of quiet reflection and intense, heart-pounding action. The transition from screen to page is seamless, and fans of the film will find themselves immersed in the familiar yet fresh beauty of Miyazaki's world.

'Castle In The Sky' is a testament to Miyazaki's storytelling genius. As a fan who has followed his work over the years, this volume is a treasure trove of everything that makes his creations timeless. Whether you're a longtime admirer or discovering Miyazaki's magic for the first time, this manga is a journey into a world where imagination knows no bounds—a world that continues to capture hearts and inspire dreams.

Profile Image for Ms. Patterson.
412 reviews12 followers
April 10, 2020
As an avid fan of Studio Ghibli anime, I discovered these manga versions of the movies and had to purchase. I've already read (and loved) Spirited Away, Volume 1 by Hayao Miyazaki and Kiki's Delivery Service, Volume 1 by Hayao Miyazaki and just found the Castle in the Sky volumes at my house. During this time of social distancing, this is a perfect way to escape the real world for a bit.

Now I hate to admit this but Castle in the Sky is probably my least favorite of the movies. That doesn't mean I don't like it.. it's just not my favorite. I think some of the story, especially at the start is a bit confusing and complicated. Would it make the transition from film to print here? Especially in this format, using cels from the movie as your artwork? For the most part, yes. Yes, it works.

I appreciate the addition of the appendix at the end explaining the sound effects and how/why they were written in this version. I also greatly appreciate the page-by-page index of all the sound effects used and the English translation.

Overall, I recommend this to anime fans and most especially Miyazaki fans everywhere. A rating. A joy!
81 reviews25 followers
March 31, 2019
4,5 porq quería ver q pasaba después!!! todos daban bien y felices, pero querrá ver escenas de como vivían juntos y todooooo y feliceeesss joooo
Inolvidables resultan aquí los entrañables piratas, la simpatía que desprenden Sheeta y Pazu y la oleada de optimismo que envuelve a ambos —sobre todo al segundo!

los piratas son super entrañables y simpitacos al final... como los típicos malos pero con corazon de pannnn

la amistad y futuro posible/seguro romance entre los dos protagonistas, ha sido sin duda lo mejorrrr
yo solo quería darle un abrazo y ml besos a pazuuu (SON LOS MAS BONITO DE ESTE MUCNO CRUEEELL!!)

de verdad, como se apoyan, como se cuidan, como le importa el otro... los gestos de cariño y amor.. cuando se abrazan de pura felicidad... PURO, es lo mas puro.
Profile Image for Mladoria.
1,167 reviews18 followers
July 11, 2017
Inconditionnelle du réalisateur, je me suis ruée sur la version papier croisée en bibliothèque.
Si vous ne connaissez pas l'histoire, la féerie vous enchantera. Intemporelle, onirique et palpitante, l'aventure de Pazu et Shiita vous fera vous envoler vers un monde où tout est possible.
A voir également la version originelle en film d'animation avec des musiques enivrantes. Pour une fois, c'est le livre qui est adaptation et franchement si vous souhaitez découvrir le monde de Miyazaki, rien de mieux que de le faire par ses films d'animation, l'adaptation papier est ici annexe. Pour les amateurs d'histoires illustrées.
Profile Image for Dhanya Jothimani.
341 reviews35 followers
September 6, 2025
Adventures of Sheeta and Pazu trying to escape the pirates chasing Sheeta. Loved the pictures and the friendship between Sheet and Pazu is beautifully portrayed - his willingness to help her, his admiration of her as an angel and how is she able to float in the sky. :)

I accidentally knew about the book series - I read a random article mentioning that this is a light novel but actually is a manga. It's a fun experience reading a manga for the first time in a book format (have read Yotsuba 1 online).
Profile Image for AestheticAngel:.
41 reviews
June 10, 2023
This manga is absolutely gorgeous and a very quick read. This is only part one of Sheeta and Pazu's story- Part one focuses on Pazu and sheeta meeting and their adventure starts. I've had this manga for years but I finally got the chance to read it. This manga is fully colored too and the whole story is divided up into four parts. You will have to read the other three volumes to see this story in its entirety.
Profile Image for Laura Adler.
57 reviews9 followers
May 14, 2018
This manga is just a copy pand paste of frames of the film. Nothing special about it, one cannot appreciate the design of characters as it was made in black and white, nor th characters themselves. There are even some screenshots that are a bit blurred.... I just bought it second hand to practice my French, so mission acomplished (although they also don't speak that much either...)
Profile Image for Jessica.
290 reviews14 followers
August 19, 2019
I found this while browsing graphic novels for the munchkin. I love Studio Ghibli movies so thought I'd give this a try. I loved the art, but am new to the manga format so at times was slightly confused at which panel I should be reading. Not sure if I'll hunt up the rest of the volumes, but I may look for the ones related to my favorite Ghibli movies.
Profile Image for Gabrielle Danoux.
Author 38 books40 followers
August 25, 2022
C'est le livre du film le Château dans le ciel de Hayao Miyazaki, mais en anglais. Il plaît beaucoup à mes filles justement parce qu'elles ne comprennent pas le texte et font travailler leur imagination sur les superbes photos du film. Histoire magique et terrible à la fois.
Profile Image for Faye &#x1fac0;.
713 reviews42 followers
March 3, 2022
Cute & cozy! Definitely made me want to watch the movie to know what happens next
Profile Image for Michele.
1,136 reviews
March 30, 2024
Cute start to the series and too fast… kind of want to know more about the stone…
Profile Image for Cherry Mae.
40 reviews5 followers
March 3, 2025
I will edit this once I finish gathering my thoughts about this. 🫂
4,226 reviews
June 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Brimming with charm and cinematic wonder, Castle in the Sky Vol. 1 captures the high-flying spirit of Miyazaki’s adventure tale with warmth and momentum. The story unfolds like a dream from the golden age of adventure fiction—part steampunk fairy tale, part mythic chase—as Sheeta falls (literally) into Pazu’s world, kicking off a whirlwind journey filled with sky pirates, secret agents, and the haunting mystery of Laputa, the fabled floating city.

The film comic format translates surprisingly well here. Though the pacing moves quickly, the rich artwork carries the narrative with expressive character shots and beautifully rendered action scenes. You can almost hear the roar of the engines and feel the wind rustling through the clouds. Sheeta’s amulet adds a layer of magical intrigue, and the relationship between her and Pazu is immediately endearing—both are brave, loyal, and stubborn in all the best ways.

This volume leans heavily into whimsy and danger, painting a world that’s both breathtaking and perilous. While it doesn’t offer the depth or introspection of some of Miyazaki’s later works, the sense of adventure and the dazzling visuals make it an irresistible start to a timeless skybound journey.
Profile Image for Eden Silverfox.
1,227 reviews101 followers
January 29, 2010
Castle In The Sky Volume 1 is about Sheeta, a young girl who wears a blue stone around her neck that allows her to defy gravity. Sheeta meets Pazu. Sheeta falls from the airship and Pazu saves her.
Sheeta is being chased by the goverment, who are trying to use her to gain power and pirates who are looking for treasure.
Sheeta runs away when the goverment and Pirates have found her. Pazu follows her and that's when their adventure begins.

This, of course, is based on the movie. It is a four part manga series, but it is a bit different from other manga. The artwork is in color and also there isn't much to read like you might find in other manga, but it is still a nice book to have. I liked it, the artwork is beautiful and it really reminded me of how great the movie is.
Profile Image for Avery.
44 reviews
January 25, 2015
Even though these books are very short im absolutely in love with them
The drawings in these books are outstanding I feel like I'm in the story the storyline is so cool it all works out together and is just so cool. Another great aspect is the boy and girl their as I would call it now "friendship" is adorable I love them. If your looking for a fast, cute, but yet action packed fantasy graphic novel this is for you.
Profile Image for Emily.
145 reviews
June 30, 2016
very fun. action packed and entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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