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Ponyo Film Comics #1
Ponyo, Volume 1
Reads R to L (Japanese Style)
Ponyo, a female fish, runs away from her home in the sea and ends up stranded on the shore. Sosuke, a five-year-old boy who lives on a cliff, rescues her. He promises to protect Ponyo forever. Ponyo grows very fond of Sosuke, and with the help of her sisters and her father’s magic, she becomes human. This results in a great imbalance in the cosmos, causing great storms and floods and satellites to fall from the sky. Ponyo becomes a fish again and Sosuke promises to love her no matter what form she takes. In the end, when Ponyo kisses Sosuke, she becomes human again.
172 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2009
About the author
Hayao Miyazaki
374 books3,654 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 6, 2016
When me and my friend Dora seen the movie when we were little,I started to wonder if there was a book and there was so I downloaded it on my phone a read it,it was almost like the movie. It's so cute and sad a the same time, love it!!! It made me cry.
July 17, 2018
This manga has color!!! So, the design was sooo cute and easy to read!!! Actually, I’ve watched the movie of Ponho before but manga had other good points!!!!!! By the way, I remember that I was said by my friends I’m similar to Ponho....lol
April 1, 2026
PONYO
January 13, 2019
::Ponyo's Characters::
Sosuke
Five-year-old Sosuke is a typical young boy who loves his parents and enjoys playing with the elderly people where his mother works. While his father is out to sea, Sosuke assists his mother in communicating with the fishing boat using a flashing light at their house on a cliff. He becomes immediate friends with Ponyo and enjoys their adventures together.
***
Ponyo
Daughter of the overprotective Fujimoto, Ponyo is a fish that magically became human. She loves to be with Sosuke more than anything and has a natural curiosity for the world around her - especially when it comes to eating ham!
Sosuke
Five-year-old Sosuke is a typical young boy who loves his parents and enjoys playing with the elderly people where his mother works. While his father is out to sea, Sosuke assists his mother in communicating with the fishing boat using a flashing light at their house on a cliff. He becomes immediate friends with Ponyo and enjoys their adventures together.
***
Ponyo
Daughter of the overprotective Fujimoto, Ponyo is a fish that magically became human. She loves to be with Sosuke more than anything and has a natural curiosity for the world around her - especially when it comes to eating ham!
April 17, 2018
Sosuke is sooo cute. He is just a boy so he doesnt listen to what his mom say. He catch a Gold fish in the liver which is “PONYO”. It was a little funny because the face is like a human but the body is goldfish. He has short orange hair. I thought he is just a fish but he has voice at end of this manga. He said “PONYO LOVES SOSUKE”. Sosuke was surprised.
Ponyo is carried off by his father with wave...
Ponyo is carried off by his father with wave...
August 13, 2017
Adorable! If you haven't watched Ponyo yet, go do it! I stumbled across this little manga version at the thrift store and couldn't resist. The translation was a little odd at times (what five year old uses the word 'aloof'?), but it gave me all the super cute Ponyo feels and I wish I had the other volumes!
December 13, 2018
Adheres so closely to the film that I'm pretty sure at least some of the art is just screenshots. I expected more variety but it's beautiful nevertheless.
July 18, 2019
I have already watched the movie version, so I also wanted to read manga. This manga has so many pictures and the pictures are colorful, therefore I could understand easily. Rounded artwork and soft line much on the Ponyo’s world.
August 6, 2018
I love Ponyo so freaking much
This was the "book with green on the cover" challenge for booktubeathon 2018!
this so perfectly captures what I love about the movie, and made me want to IMMEADIATELY order the next installments.
This was the "book with green on the cover" challenge for booktubeathon 2018!
this so perfectly captures what I love about the movie, and made me want to IMMEADIATELY order the next installments.
March 22, 2018
Ponyo is a book about little magic fish who is found by a human. The human ends us losing Ponyo because a a large wave, now ponyo has to find her way back to the little boy who also misses her. This book is full adventures and the art is phenomenal and there art many words. I enjoy a manga with good pictures and not many words. I think anyone can enjoy this book because it’s simple and adorable and it has a good plot.
May 16, 2017
I enjoyed this book immensely - great pictures and was surprised in that it really does follow the movie! After having seen the movie I had to go check out the book and BOTH would be GREAT gifts to any child! A fun book to read!
June 21, 2019
This was a book that I read because it was in my book club's reading list (covering different genres). It didn't inspire a love for the manga genre, but it was a cute vignette. I can see where this type of "reading" can be very alluring to younger readers and it really would help them with their visual analysis skills.
October 26, 2024
The art style is so cute, I really love ghibli movies. I always cry in these types of anime. Why is it so beautiful 🥹 Lisa is such a good mother I love her confidence and Sosuke her son is so cute and he's hair like that is so cute! Ponyo is so adorable she's so cute like a fish and as a child 🤭
June 1, 2019
It was a very sweet story.
November 21, 2019
Not a lot of words.. 😞
But Ponyo LOVES HAM!
But Ponyo LOVES HAM!
June 19, 2024
What's my take on all these, "I love ham!!".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
April 10, 2026
I didn’t like the cliffhanger
April 12, 2026
I really liked the movie and I enjoyed spotting the small differences between the movie and book.
February 27, 2017
The art is stunning!
May 12, 2025
Pure joy radiates from every page of Ponyo’s all-in-one film comic edition-a whimsical, ocean-splashed adventure that celebrates love, courage, and the wild wonder of childhood. This hardcover collection transforms Miyazaki’s enchanting film into a richly colored, storybook-like experience that feels both magical and deeply comforting.
The story begins with Ponyo, a goldfish who’s anything but ordinary. Bursting with curiosity and a desire to live among humans, she escapes her watery home and meets Sosuke, a sweet and determined five-year-old boy. Their instant bond feels beautifully innocent and genuine, grounding the story even as it spirals into dreamlike sequences of giant waves, shape-shifting magic, and seaside storms.
Visually, the film comic captures every brushstroke of Miyazaki’s vibrant underwater world. From Ponyo’s exuberant transformations to the stormy chaos conjured by her father, the sorcerer Fujimoto, each frame dances with color and emotion. The balance between quiet tenderness-Sosuke carefully feeding Ponyo in a pail-and sweeping spectacle gives the story its irresistible charm.
At heart, Ponyo is about love: the kind that defies barriers, asks for trust, and is strong enough to weather literal storms. It’s also about the curiosity and open-heartedness of children, something Miyazaki never fails to honor. This edition makes a perfect keepsake for fans and a magical entry point for new readers. Sweet, surreal, and full of sea-salt wonder, Ponyo is a treasure from start to finish.
The story begins with Ponyo, a goldfish who’s anything but ordinary. Bursting with curiosity and a desire to live among humans, she escapes her watery home and meets Sosuke, a sweet and determined five-year-old boy. Their instant bond feels beautifully innocent and genuine, grounding the story even as it spirals into dreamlike sequences of giant waves, shape-shifting magic, and seaside storms.
Visually, the film comic captures every brushstroke of Miyazaki’s vibrant underwater world. From Ponyo’s exuberant transformations to the stormy chaos conjured by her father, the sorcerer Fujimoto, each frame dances with color and emotion. The balance between quiet tenderness-Sosuke carefully feeding Ponyo in a pail-and sweeping spectacle gives the story its irresistible charm.
At heart, Ponyo is about love: the kind that defies barriers, asks for trust, and is strong enough to weather literal storms. It’s also about the curiosity and open-heartedness of children, something Miyazaki never fails to honor. This edition makes a perfect keepsake for fans and a magical entry point for new readers. Sweet, surreal, and full of sea-salt wonder, Ponyo is a treasure from start to finish.
April 15, 2014
Natalie was super excited when she spied this at the library. There are four, so she had to explain to the librarians how she needed help. Assert follows movie exactly. Very few words. The direction of the text wasn't hard to get used to I thought out would be. I read it readily in fifteen minutes.
December 9, 2009
Miyazaki always pleases with beautiful artwork and a fatantastical storyline.
March 15, 2010
We are going through a "graphic novel" phase at our house. Once I figured out this read right-to-left, it was far more enjoyable for everyone.
January 24, 2011
I <3 THIS BOOK! It helps me with my art and it's such a nice story! :)
May 23, 2011
Everyone should read this book.
January 24, 2013
I feel like a fish sometimes and this the animation that made me realize nothing is wrong with me but I m only a happy, changing character:) Call me crazy or call me Ponyo;)
November 12, 2013
Very true to the movie. Art and design are excellent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews