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L'Art du Château dans le ciel - Studio Ghibli
The definitive examination of the art and animation of Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece of fantasy and flight, Castle in the Sky!
The latest in the perennially popular line of Studio Ghibli art books, which include interviews, concept sketches and finished animation cels from classics such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky was the first feature film produced by the legendary Studio Ghibli. Sheeta, a girl who has the power to defy gravity, is on the run from pirates when she meets the young inventor Pazu. Together they explore the secrets of Laputa, a flying city constructed by a long-lost race of people. All of Miyazaki’s major themes—the power of flight, the bravery of young women, and a world wrecked by change—are captured with beautiful animation and joyous storytelling.
The latest in the perennially popular line of Studio Ghibli art books, which include interviews, concept sketches and finished animation cels from classics such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky was the first feature film produced by the legendary Studio Ghibli. Sheeta, a girl who has the power to defy gravity, is on the run from pirates when she meets the young inventor Pazu. Together they explore the secrets of Laputa, a flying city constructed by a long-lost race of people. All of Miyazaki’s major themes—the power of flight, the bravery of young women, and a world wrecked by change—are captured with beautiful animation and joyous storytelling.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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664 people want to read
About the author
Hayao Miyazaki
364 books3,484 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 3, 2025
Not only is this the art for the Castle in the Sky, but the initial proposal for the film, the months between the release of Nausicaa, Valley of the Wind, and the entire script for the film.
Nausicaa, Valley of the Wind, was Miyazaki’s first film in which he was in charge of the entire film. It was a bigger hit than expected, and on the record of this, his sponsors started asking him about his next film idea. It was only after this, during the start of production of Castle in the Sky, that Ghibli Studios was established. So, we can fairly say that Castle in the Sky was the first Ghibli film. And what a film it is. Miyazaki had pitched his first film, Valley of the Wind, toward adult audiences, but when he went to a few theaters on opening day and saw a bunch of primary school kids, he thought, “I’ve screwed up”. Nevertheless, it was a bigger hit than even he imagined. Tons of mail came in for him, much of which praised “how beautiful it was” about which he later remarked, “Those people misunderstood the movie.” He also got mail from religious groups, but he said he had not intended a religious message, that the idea for the end just came to him as he was working out the story.
He pitched his second movie, Castle in the Sky, towards 4th graders. The movie proposal reads, in part: “Pazu [the project name] will have laughter and tears and a sentimentally honest spirit, and will also depict themes of emotional bonding and self-sacrifice—things that modern [1984] audiences are skeptical of but, without realizing it, really crave. … More and more animated films are being made to cater to niche interests, and there is ever more subcategorization and diversification taking place. In the midst of this, it is important for us not to lose sight of the fact that animation should above all belong to children, and that truly honest works for children will also succeed with adults.”
The art in this large format book is beautiful and it was really a pleasure to see Miyazaki’s own concept art for the movie when it was in development. The animation itself for the cells of the movie was done by the artists at Ghibli, not Miyazaki, but you can see in these conceptual pieces that he is also a truly gifted artist, particularly in imagination.
Nausicaa, Valley of the Wind, was Miyazaki’s first film in which he was in charge of the entire film. It was a bigger hit than expected, and on the record of this, his sponsors started asking him about his next film idea. It was only after this, during the start of production of Castle in the Sky, that Ghibli Studios was established. So, we can fairly say that Castle in the Sky was the first Ghibli film. And what a film it is. Miyazaki had pitched his first film, Valley of the Wind, toward adult audiences, but when he went to a few theaters on opening day and saw a bunch of primary school kids, he thought, “I’ve screwed up”. Nevertheless, it was a bigger hit than even he imagined. Tons of mail came in for him, much of which praised “how beautiful it was” about which he later remarked, “Those people misunderstood the movie.” He also got mail from religious groups, but he said he had not intended a religious message, that the idea for the end just came to him as he was working out the story.
He pitched his second movie, Castle in the Sky, towards 4th graders. The movie proposal reads, in part: “Pazu [the project name] will have laughter and tears and a sentimentally honest spirit, and will also depict themes of emotional bonding and self-sacrifice—things that modern [1984] audiences are skeptical of but, without realizing it, really crave. … More and more animated films are being made to cater to niche interests, and there is ever more subcategorization and diversification taking place. In the midst of this, it is important for us not to lose sight of the fact that animation should above all belong to children, and that truly honest works for children will also succeed with adults.”
The art in this large format book is beautiful and it was really a pleasure to see Miyazaki’s own concept art for the movie when it was in development. The animation itself for the cells of the movie was done by the artists at Ghibli, not Miyazaki, but you can see in these conceptual pieces that he is also a truly gifted artist, particularly in imagination.
March 7, 2020
And on to the second of the studio Ghibli library books I managed to obtain. This time the book from the Castle in the sky. This is one of Hayao Miyazaki earlier films however it does not represent any less of the creative mind that was behind this (and many other amazing films).
This is one of the few remaining film from Miyazaki-san that I have yet to see so I will be careful not to give anything away from the film but the art is wonderful - especially the scenery which studio Ghibli became famous for. These pieces are are art in their own right which I think is proof that anime and the associated artwork that comes from it is far more amazing and special than many give it credit for,
This book and in fact the entire series are an amazing window in to a creative work we rarely get to see and appreciate - after all some of these scenes are only on the screen for a matter of seconds and I dread to think how long they took to create.
This is one of the few remaining film from Miyazaki-san that I have yet to see so I will be careful not to give anything away from the film but the art is wonderful - especially the scenery which studio Ghibli became famous for. These pieces are are art in their own right which I think is proof that anime and the associated artwork that comes from it is far more amazing and special than many give it credit for,
This book and in fact the entire series are an amazing window in to a creative work we rarely get to see and appreciate - after all some of these scenes are only on the screen for a matter of seconds and I dread to think how long they took to create.
November 28, 2021
Not really much to read but Castle in the Sky is one of my favourite Ghibli movies along with Nausicaa Valley of the Wind.
I have read the entire dub screenplay that is at the end three times. Once to my mother and once to my sister, they both weren't listening but I read it to them nonetheless.
I just love the art and the world so much.
I have read the entire dub screenplay that is at the end three times. Once to my mother and once to my sister, they both weren't listening but I read it to them nonetheless.
I just love the art and the world so much.
June 27, 2020
Wonderful. An impressive journey inside Miyazaki art. Enchanting. I'm really in love with Hayao works. And how interesting it's been reading about the making of the movie, the notes on characters and so on. I'm so enthusiastic of this art book and I'm very happy I've received such a gift. After reading I've felt the need, the impulsive, absolute necessity to watch the movie again!
February 9, 2022
Hay.
Và ý nghĩa.
Khẳng định giá trị của sự sống cơ bản và phủ định giá trị của vũ khí, công nghệ tối tân đem đến sự hủy diệt.
Truyện Ponyo là Nước, Nausicaa là Gió, truyện này là Đất. Truyện nào sẽ là Lửa?
4.5*
Và ý nghĩa.
Khẳng định giá trị của sự sống cơ bản và phủ định giá trị của vũ khí, công nghệ tối tân đem đến sự hủy diệt.
Truyện Ponyo là Nước, Nausicaa là Gió, truyện này là Đất. Truyện nào sẽ là Lửa?
4.5*
June 15, 2019
It was fun to see the character designs for the characters that weren't used. Enjoyed the story of the creation of this movie and the establishment of Studio Ghibli, but was a bit put off by some of the strange phrasing used for the translations. It's one of those things where you can get the gist of what is going on, but it's off just enough to interrupt the narrative in your mind. Also, the narration weirdly goes from third person and first person between sentences.
July 11, 2023
Some beautiful art, but this book is way heavier on just freeze frames from the film, rather than the concept art shown off in the Nausicaa book.
December 30, 2016
A beautiful art book from the Studio Ghibli classic, Castle in the Sky. It's stunning from the second you open the book until the very end. I could flip through this book over and over again.
I received this advanced copy from VIZ Media through Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
I received this advanced copy from VIZ Media through Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
March 8, 2015
Great art-book. This is the only feature length Miyazaki animation, I didn't watch yet.
September 24, 2021
As always, I love these Ghibli art books. It is always so fascinating to read Miyazaki’s processes while drafting his beloved stories. Something that really stood out to me in this book was his assertion that “it is important for us to not lose sight of the fact that animation should above all belong to children.” I really love that line, though I am an adult who loves animated films. Perhaps because these films are geared toward and belong to children, I feel such a stirring of nostalgia that helps me connect with my own childhood. Maybe that’s why I love Studio Ghibli so much.
October 13, 2022
A master of Hayao Miyazaki and it is the first film to be released from Studio Ghibli. It's beautiful and I never get bored with this art book. It teaches you a lot of stuff and I can't wait for the latest film of Mr. Miyazaki.
October 11, 2024
Looking through/reading these art books has been memorizing. <3 the amount of time and talent that goes into each of these films is incredible.
April 21, 2017
Filled with beautiful watercolor concept art and additional scenes that did not make it into the film.
April 23, 2018
i love concept art, this was no exception. cute movie too.. very عدنان و لينا lol
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews