Kon Vs. Miyazaki

by Michael Andre-Driussi

Collection of twenty articles (reviews, text-to-film comparisons, Four Point lectures, cryptic art house references, et cetera) about Japanese animation auteurs Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon.

Surprising connections include: Miyazaki & Antonio Pietrangeli; Kon & Karel Van Wolferen; synopses for seventeen of Chiyoko Fujiwara's movies; Paprika & Mishima; Tokyo Godfathers & Odysseus; Beauty & Beast; Paprika & Shakespeare.

Only three of these pieces have been previously published, and they appeared in "The Internet Review of Science Fiction," which has since disappeared.

Genres: Nonfiction

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2021

Reviews

[Rachel Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I made the mistake of reading this not having watched all of these movies. You really need to have seen all of Miyazaki’s movies I’d think, to appreciate this book. It reads kind of like a college text book, analyzing various films. Makes very cogent points; just not the type of book I was looking for. The second half discusses Kon’s movies which I have never seen. I am not familiar with him at all. The final part of the book is the “battle” between the two.

This book contains spoilers for nearly all movies, FYI. I’m sure the right audience would really appreciate this book, however I am not that person!

[Michele Rice Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Kon vs. Miyazaki by Michael Andre-Driussi is an incredible comparison/contrast between two anime creators. The first parts of the book examines various works and themes used by each creator. The second part is a mock battle between the creators. Then, a winner is declared and the reasons supported. The book is well researched and written. I enjoyed reading about each creators recurring themes. I also discovered a couple of anime that I've not watched, but I will definitely watch them soon.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves anime. I also recommend it to anyone who is considering writing a similar comparison. I plan to recommend this book to a few family members and friends.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Aaron Grossman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of essays and writing about Kon and Miyazaki, written in Andre-Driussi's usual style (very matter of fact, often encyclopedic). I'm familiar with Andre-Driussi's work mainly through his guidebook-like companion books on, *ahem*, other works of science fiction, but the style works quite well here despite the subject matter not being quite as referential or difficult.

Despite this, the real star of the show here is the essay on Paranoia Agent and Millennium Actress, and their connection to Japan's "undigested past". It's a very nice critical essay, and one of the only essays in the book written in that style. The rest of the content in the book, despite not being as in-depth as you might want, is still quite nice.

[Hanii Aburame · Rating 2 out of 5]

And in this corner!... I need a nap.

I have not read many non fiction books and while it was elegantly written I could not get into it. Both Mayazaki and Kon's works are very interesting and things that I would like to watch. How each story was explained and broke down was delightful, and the comparisons were sound, but those same comparisons could have been made to numerous other work done by numerous other people, if only going off of certain shows/movies.

It was good only giving major spoilers and plot details of certain movies movies/shows as to not spoil the entirety of their filmographies. It only scratched the surface however, to get the full comparisons between the two creators, more would have been better in my opinion.

Also please note that on Kindle the readability is improved if not read with continuous scroll. It won't move to the next chapter so one has to use the index to continue on.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this bookin a goodreads drawing.

A book comparing and contrasting two Japanese animators. Make sure you've seen the movies first.

[Lrlane318 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea