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The Animation Atlas: The Ghibliotheque Guide to the World of Animated Film
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Indispensable"
- EMPIRE Magazine
Animation is a global artform, and The Animation Atlas is your essential guide to this exciting, expansive world.
From Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham, authors and hosts of the Ghibliotheque podcast, comes this whistle-stop tour through animated film history. A cartography of cartoons, The Animation Atlas takes in everything from titans of animation such as Disney, Pixar, Aardman and Studio Ghibli to pioneers, innovators and rising stars from the wider world of cinema.
A truly global history of animation - Each of the 30 chapters sets down in a different country to focus on local talent that has made a global impact on the form, from Spain to South Africa and China to Chile.
Box office hits and hidden gems - Features a dazzling selection of films, from hand-drawn Hollywood classics (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and award-winning CG masterpieces (Flow), to the works of revered artists such as Lotte Reiniger (The Adventures of Prince Achmed), Jan Švankmajer (Alice) and Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbour Totoro).
Dozens of gorgeous illustrations - Includes more than 150 photographs, artworks and stills from some of the most beautiful animated films ever made. A perfect gift for film lovers.
"Indispensable"
- EMPIRE Magazine
Animation is a global artform, and The Animation Atlas is your essential guide to this exciting, expansive world.
From Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham, authors and hosts of the Ghibliotheque podcast, comes this whistle-stop tour through animated film history. A cartography of cartoons, The Animation Atlas takes in everything from titans of animation such as Disney, Pixar, Aardman and Studio Ghibli to pioneers, innovators and rising stars from the wider world of cinema.
A truly global history of animation - Each of the 30 chapters sets down in a different country to focus on local talent that has made a global impact on the form, from Spain to South Africa and China to Chile.
Box office hits and hidden gems - Features a dazzling selection of films, from hand-drawn Hollywood classics (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and award-winning CG masterpieces (Flow), to the works of revered artists such as Lotte Reiniger (The Adventures of Prince Achmed), Jan Švankmajer (Alice) and Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbour Totoro).
Dozens of gorgeous illustrations - Includes more than 150 photographs, artworks and stills from some of the most beautiful animated films ever made. A perfect gift for film lovers.
- GenresNonfictionAnimation
493 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 23, 2026
A great read for animation lovers. This book basically circles the globe, country by country and highlights animated film. While this book does explore some huge and popular titles and studios, it shines best when delving into much more obscure films from directors most people would have never heard of from every corner of the world.
Instead of a deep dive into these films and directors the book offers more of a short summary, as much as they can fit while trying to make a book that literally covers as many countries on Earth as they can. The only issue I had with this book is that it tended to focus on traditional forms of animation while subtly dismissing CGI works, which often have just as much hard work, creativity and artistry behind them. I would have liked the book to touch on CG films just a little more for the sake of variety.
Instead of a deep dive into these films and directors the book offers more of a short summary, as much as they can fit while trying to make a book that literally covers as many countries on Earth as they can. The only issue I had with this book is that it tended to focus on traditional forms of animation while subtly dismissing CGI works, which often have just as much hard work, creativity and artistry behind them. I would have liked the book to touch on CG films just a little more for the sake of variety.
August 6, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. I share the authors' enthusiasm for these films and this, coupled with their vast knowledge of the subject, makes it an absolute must have. I already have their other brilliant books and this one is just as good - highly recommended.
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March 21, 2026This is a WONDERFUL reference book for anyone curious about animated films.
Key works from different countries are introduced. Lots of illustrations and photos, lots of information.
Really neat.
Now: will I be able to actually find any of these animations online?
Key works from different countries are introduced. Lots of illustrations and photos, lots of information.
Really neat.
Now: will I be able to actually find any of these animations online?
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews