Now Go: On Grief and Studio Ghibli

404 Inklings #13

by Karl Thomas Smith

Grief is all around us. At the heart of the brightly coloured, vividly characterised, joyful films of Studio Ghibli, they are wracked with loss – of innocence, of love, of the connection to our world and of that world itself. Now Go enters these emotional waters to interrogate not only how Studio Ghibli navigates grief so well, but how that informs our own understanding of grief’s manifold faces.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays, Grief, Film, Philosophy, Japan, Art

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2022

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always give 404Inklings 5* so other people discover them and read them and support a small independent Scottish publisher.
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However. I found at least three grammar errors in this one, one sentence that makes absolutely no sense, sentences without subjects, nouns capitalised for no reason, a film title not italicised, and a spelling mistake. I also found it went around in circles and repeated itself, reminding me of me when I had word count to hit in a uni essay and wasn’t confident in my premise, but I haven’t even seen all the Studio Ghibli films and I can think of way more examples of how they deal with loss! I also think I want these books to be pure old-fashioned academic non-fiction and I dislike how much personal history the author put into this one, I found it unnecessary which sounds hard-hearted. The way the author interacted with his secondary sources I also found troubling; you cannot change around a Joan Didion quote to make it ‘more accurate,’ when actually you mean something completely different. Overall I also found the writing disengaging and difficult to read in parts, possibly because it was so personal.
I will obviously continue to read and support Inklings, I just wish they were more rigorously read through and maybe the authors were given even more time to write them? What do I know about publishing, though.

[Nadja · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this essay, because obviously Studio Ghibli! But unfortunately I found it quite repetitive at times and not that engaging as a whole. There were some touching moments and theories, but overall it was kind of a letdown for me. (2.5 stars)

[Mafalda Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Yes, we tell ourselves stories in order to live. We also tell them in order to grieve. In order to lose. In order to live again. To live sill."

[Yasmin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will start by saying that I appreciate the author’s musings on grief and his experience navigating the loss of a loved one. I particularly think that the last few pages were very strong and impactful.

However…. I felt that the focus on Ghibli was very shallow. It almost felt like it was mentioned in passing. I’m sure the author had his reasons for not doing chapters based on one movie at a time, but I think it would’ve worked better that way. It just felt very disjointed and I feel a bit misled about the contents of this book. There were also many irrelevant tangents - about how Toy Story has 100% on rotten tomatoes (???) and about Drew Barrymore’s viral video in the rain (?????). The sentences were very fragmented and difficult to read.

All in all - I appreciate that the author has many thoughts and experiences navigating grief and loss, but I felt disappointed. I think this book would’ve been better if it didn’t involve Ghibli movies. I’m sorry!

[Sara]

I don't rate nonfiction.

This was a bit dry to read, feeling almost like an academic text rather than an informative nonfiction light read, which is what I was expecting. Although I liked a lot of the information presented, and how the author links what Ghibli have created to grief in its many forms, I thought this just was too short to really delve into the main points it discusses in any meaningful way.

[Ben Linsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5, If I were a year 11 English literature teacher I would give this a 63. It’s just very repetitive and doesn’t actually offer much analysis of the films, at times even completely misinterpreting them.

[Jade ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Yes, we tell ourselves stories in order to live. We also tell them in order to grieve. In order to lose. In order to live again. To live still.”

[Stephanie Drum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book needed a better editor, and found the writing a bit clunky, BUT this was still a lovely meditation on grief through the lens of Studio Ghibli! Spirited Away is pretty much my favorite film and this look at it and the other films to discuss grief and the power of these stories was a comforting read.

[Nathaniel]

I grabbed this in an airport in Norway and read it in said airport (where I am currently sitting, as of the writing of this review) and I’m sad I couldn’t annotate this. It has a lot of good lines. Enough good lines, in fact, that I’m going to be rereading this sometime when I’m not in the airport because I need to focus more and reflect on the words in a quieter fashion.

[Maggi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Ghibli and I love death (as a topic) but this missed the mark for me. It somehow felt repetitive despite being such a short book. It was also disappointing to see such long summaries of the films discussed considering the length of the book.

[so’ *ੈ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still, you find reasons to keep on living.—Princess Mononoke.

“Grief, after all, is the biggest myth of all: not in the sense that it is a falsehood - sadly it is not - but in the sense that it is necessary; as a way to work through the brutality of loss, and in the sense that it runs parallel to life as we know it. One does not stop happening while the other takes hold - they are entangled, for better and for worse.”

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks T 💗

[Arupoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 en realidad

Ha sido el libro perfecto para leer en este momento

[Alex Sarll]

"Miyazaki once said that 'life is a winking light in the darkness.' While all evidence suggests that the man himself would likely never suggest something quite so grandiose, Studio Ghibli is also that light for many." Some people, once finances stabilise in middle age, get into endlessly upgrading Apple gewgaws, or maybe the hard stuff like Farrow & Ball, but for me it's been a greater readiness to buy little books, notwithstanding the higher price per page than a chunkier read. True, this one couldn't quite be described as small but perfectly formed; I don't entirely trust the binding, and it definitely needed another editorial pass to fully reconcile a few sentences which had changed direction somewhere in their past. The main problem, though, is that for something so pleasingly pocket-sized, it's a terrible idea to read it in public, because it's about Ghibli and grief, so obviously it's a tearjerker. And that despite only passing reference to Porco Rosso, and no mention at all for The Wind Rises! Even with Totoro, which I love so much precisely for how little happens, Smith – while quite rightly pooh-poohing the stupid online Sixth Sense theory of the film – points out the corollary: sometimes loss and death isn't a thing which conveniently happens, and can be moved past, but one which lingers and looms in such a way that no resolution is possible. Potentially, as in the case of Miyazaki's mother, who inspired the film's, for decades. And even without that in the background, growing up, as in Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle or Kiki's Delivery Service, is a matter of "small erosions", "this constantly fading lustre", a series of little losses even if they don't, at the time, feel like the sort of loss for which one can properly grieve. This is why, of course, I stopped listing Kiki's Delivery Service as one of my favourite Ghiblis: I realised that, as much as I love the first half, the back end is a complete bummer because it's about having to knuckle down and do a boring bloody job and your cat doesn't even speak to you anymore. Even with Ponyo, whose inclusion initially puzzled me, Smith makes a strong case for the film epitomising Miyazaki's love of the (super)natural world, the same one which informs all those fabulous clouds and sunsets. Though when he talks about this as an attempt at showing the world how much it means to us, even as we kill it, Smith describes this as a love letter, but stops before reaching what seems to me the obvious comparison, that it's the 'please take me back, I'll change' letter of an abusive partner you'd be a fool to trust.

[Genevieve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah, so much potential for this to be a great essay on a really interesting topic, but the quality of the writing varied wildly. One paragraph would be beautifully constructed then the next would be difficult to read, unclear and interrupted by the author's own voice, as if it was dictated or written in a rush. I love the 404Ink 'Inklings' series but this one could've used a much more substantial edit.

[Aoibheann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but powerful book about how Studio Ghibli portrays grief in all its different forms. Feels like it needs some editing and was repetitive at times but overall a lovely insight!

[rebeca ravara · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting concepts, but so short! does not nearly go into as much detail as i was hoping, and feels all too personal. i wanted more ghibli, less karl... that sounds mean, but i was really hoping to be able to read about some of my favorite movies analyzed from the lens of grief! good grief!

[Beth Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive when a book less than a 100 pages makes its point more effectively than most books well over that page count.

Now Go is written from a deeply personal perspective on grief and loss. It is honest and emotional and pure. And to consider the multifaceted reality of grief through the precisely detailed and brightly colored world of Studio Ghibli just makes so much sense. Especially as a large thread throughout the essay is the fact that children experience grief as much as the rest of us and need to be helped in their understanding of it. What better place to turn than to Studio Ghibli.

A few quotes:

“These stories of loss, played out through fantasy, to show us the truth: to show us what we need to see: when in plainer terms, we might flinch and look away, these films — in all their beauty and their humor and their artistry — ask us to keep looking.”

“While the mighty oaks the group had conjured by darkness have disappeared by day, there is something that remains. There in the dirt, there are sprouts. The tiny green shoots of hope and possibility. A message that while there is death, there is also life and a reminder, too, that grief is not known for its brevity: that life as we know it does not simply resume overnight in the glow of the stars and the moon. That when the sun comes up again, and it will, things may still be wrong, but there are signs of better things to come.”

“[Grief] is a maze — a labyrinth — in which we are sent to become lost before the possibility of escape is even contemplated. It is not quick — it is not easy. There is no map, no key, no legend and no scale. There is only the maze itself and the quiet echoes of the world above.”

[Alessia Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really hopeful when I started reading this book because the theme of grief is central to Ghibli stories, however it’s only mentioned on a very shallow level, along other aspects of the plot that are very easy to understand and see for yourself whenever you watch a Ghibli film, you certainly don’t need them to be re-told or explained as they are pretty obvious.

The book has many typos and many editing issues, which along with the rather pretentious prose don’t really make it a pleasant journey.

The most shocking thing to me though were the cultural inaccuracies, typical of someone who’s probably only watched the movies in English and didn’t research the symbolism that much. An example, the author refers to Jiji as a “little shit”. Apart from the juvenile adjective (was this written by a 3 year old?) very well known that the original Japanese version of Jiji is quite cautious and subdued, and his character was changed in the English version. Jiji is meant to represent Kiki’s childish side. The writer completely overlooks this, and personally I find it ridiculous that someone writes a book about Ghibli without even researching basic information.

I also found it somewhat contrived and insufferable. It feels like a book a pretentious hipster has written just to say “I’ve written a book about Ghibli”.

[Megan Pollenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working through grief is not an enjoyable time, no matter what tier you are on. It's an emotionally taxing endeavour that most every person on this earth has to deal with at one point in their lives. Reading this essay/book, I never thought to look through the lens of one of my favourite anime studios and see the connection. Now Go brings a new prescriptive to the grieving process.

[Lauren Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you read a book at exactly the right time.

[Kathryn Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this for a close friend when the title immediately made me think of her and our friendship. I didn't consider reading it for myself because my nervous system was having a difficult weekend and I didn't think reading a book on grief was a good idea. But while waiting for the dinner to cook, I picked it up...

And it truly never fails to surprise me that in those moments of excruciating pain, honest reflective grief literature is sometimes the most comforting gift of all.

"You cannot, as it turns out, outrun grief or loss. A decade later, even when you don't feel it breathing down you neck, it is there - in the shadows.
You have to find a way to live with it - to beckon it closer, even when that feels counterintuitive. Like the films of Studio Ghibli, the warmth of its embrace may be a pleasant surprise."

However this definitely felt like more of a meandering memoir about greif - which don't get me wrong, I always have time for - rather than an in-depth exploration of grief within Studio Ghibli itself. So I still feel like I need another book on it cause so much yes to the theme. I owe a lot to Studio Ghibli and reading this certainly helped an ongoing articulation as to exactly why. Praise to beautiful, comforting, painful shit that makes me cry!

[Kadyofbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I hoped for a better outcome than only three stars but I just can't give it more than that. I expected this book to be more of a deep dive into the topic of grief in Studio Ghibli movies but what I got was more of a personal story of the author's own journey with grief. After reading the epilog I understand why that might be the case - and I just wish he would've taken more time with writing the book. This felt a bit incomplete and also moved in circles quite a lot - not to forget the spelling and grammar mistakes that I've encountered plenty of times (and I always get an ick when stumbling over those in a published book... doesn't speak of great copy editing). I still liked the overall premise of the book and it made me think about the topic while watching other Ghibli movies (and I made the mistake of watching Grave of the Fireflies again.... definitely should have steered clear of that one for a while [even though I'd already watched it once before]). I'm still looking forward to read more from the Inkling series - I have the Doctor Who one on hand.

[Silvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Grief is a beautifully written examination of the nature and different faces of grief through the lens of Studio Ghibli’s cinematography. It takes you on a journey through the different movies and their navigation of grief and loss; be it the loss of a loved one, the losing of oneself or the grievance of a dying planet.

“Grief is the myth we live by when living feels impossible. We tell ourselves stories in order to live. We also tell them in order to grieve. In order to lose. In order to live again. To live still.”

[Farnz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️
I wanted to read this cause the concept is so cool. I love studio ghibli, Ive seen all their work except Porco rosso and grave of the fireflies (I’m scared of the latter cause I know it’s so heartbreaking). Having said that I expected this to be “more”. Not bad, but a big repetitive & not delving as deep as it could’ve. Maybe it could’ve done more if the book was longer, something I rarely ever say 😂 Also found out that 404ink is a small independent Scottish publishing company, living in the UK, it’s always cool to find independent publishers.

[Melissa Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Death is inevitable. Loss too. Change - good or bad, like it or not, in one form or another - is inevitable. Things tomorrow will be different from how they are today. Inevitability itself is a part of life. It is, in a sense, the only real constant."

[Jahnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the perspective and the examination of characters and plot to unveil the resonating representation of grief beneath the whimsical magic of Studio Ghibli films.

Karl Thomas Smith speaks with conviction and certainty about the inevitable living presence of the absence that grief causes in those who are grieving. Grief is real, and it needs to be accepted and acknowledged. And yet, unimaginable as it may seem at first, we have within us an accessible hope that we only need to decide to harness so we can move forward despite the loss.

A worthy read, one that grief-stricken Ghibli fans will appreciate. What better way to process grief than to try to make sense of it through a familiar story, but this time viewed through different lenses.

[Tanith · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The world works hard to beat out of us the things about which we care the most- to dilute our passions and temper our reactions. The world at large, to its great shame, is scornful of people who live deeply... It is painful and precise though to leave not just a lasting sting but also, a permanent scar of self-doubt."

[ilv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little essay about some of my all-time favorite movies. Not pulling any punches when it comes to discussing grief, which I definitely appreciate. The language was for my taste a bit too academicy and a touch pretentious. Still enjoyed it immensely!

[kato · Rating 4 out of 5]

heel aangename essay on te lezen met een aantal zeer mooie verwoordingen in!!