I really hate that I'm DNFing this book. I wanted to love it as much as I loved his movies but unfortunately after 15% through I realized this book is not for me. I love Hayao Miyazaki but I think I need to love him through his movies and not through reading this book.

This book is extremely thorough. It was very impressive how much research Susan Napier has put into this book. Unfortunately, I found all that detail a little dull. When I found myself skimming the book, I knew it was time to put it down.

Miyazakiworld is for the hardcore fans in my opinion. If you have a love for Miyazaki and the Japanese culture, this book is definitely for you.

A few years ago, I discovered Studio Ghibli and fell in love with Japanese anime. I'm particularly fond of Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki's ability to use animation to tell stories that are emotionally moving, visually stunning, and intellectually stimulating. Miyazaki's films combine whimsical settings, strong female protagonists, and unconventional plots. I'm still new to this brave new world of anime, so I was excited to find Japanese culture expert Susan Napier's latest book to help me make sense of Miyazaki's oeuvre.

There have been many, many books, articles, and YouTube videos analyzing Studio Ghibli's films. Miyazakiworld brings a new perspective by looking at the films through the lens of Hayao Miyazaki's biography. Unlike high-profile storytellers in the West, Miyazaki is a very private person who seldom sits for interviews. However, he has been outspoken about some of his beliefs, particularly when it comes to war and the environment. Napier pieces together bits of biographical information and statements from interviews and looks at how they can help us interpret Miyazaki's art.

After a brief biographical sketch of Miyazaki's early life, the book looks at each of his major works in chronological order. Napier is admirably comprehensive, covering not just at Miyazaki's more prominent Studio Ghibli films, but also his earlier films, such as Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, and his brief foray in TV with Future Boy Conan. She even dedicates an entire chapter to his epic Nausicaä and the Valley of the Wind manga, an important yet often overlooked work in Miyazakiworld. In taking a chronological approach, Napier is able to show how Miyazaki's view changed over time, and in turn how these changes influenced his art. While Miyazaki has remained consistently opposed to war and in favor of environmental protection, his faith in humanity's ability to navigate these challenges evolves in interesting ways.

Miyazakiworld isn't a detailed biography in the conventional sense, despite the fact that shows how Miyazaki's life influenced his art. For example, there's surprisingly little about the founding of Studio Ghibli or Miyazaki's family. By the end of the book, Hayao Miyazaki remains something of an enigma wrapped in contradictions. The man who produced such whimsical children's films also as a cantankerous side. While I wouldn't characterize all of his films as optimistic, they do suggest a faith in the wonder of human imagination that belies Miyazaki's more cynical statements about humanity in interviews. Napier does an excellent job trying to unpack this complex artist's work, but I definitely feel like there's more to learn about Miyazakiworld. 

Highly recommended to fans of anime and Japanese culture, particularly Studio Ghibli.

[Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]

The life of Hayao Miyazaki, his movies and his Japan. A very interesting book for all the worldwide fans of this brilliant and visionarie genius. I can also say that this book is not for everybody, but if you already love him, this is a good summing up of his ideas and point of view.

La vita di Hayao Miyazaki, i suoi film ed il suo Giappone. Un libro molto interessante per tutti i fans del genio visionario sparsi per il mondo. Indubbiamente questo non é un libro per tutti, ma se giá lo conoscete questo potrebbe un ottimo volume per completare la sua scoperta.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

Miyazakiworld is an enlightening read on the renowned movies created by Hayao Miyazaki. It offers insights on each movie and explored subtle themes that are traced through all of Miyazaki's works.

Studio Ghibli films are a great joy to watch, and this book lets the audience to delve deeper into the Miyazaki World, allowing us to see it through Miyazaki's thoughts and understanding the developer's subconscious. It takes the films to a whole new level, letting us understand the messages and metaphors laced within.

Miyazakiworld: A Life in Art gives reader's a greater appreciation for Hayao Miyazaki's films and sheds light on the person who created some of the world's most beloved films.

Ogni volta che rivedo un film di Hayao Miyazaki o Isao takahata è una prima visione: la freschezza delle immagini, la lussureggiante qualità degli sfondi, la complessità dei personaggi, la varietà di ambientazioni e vicende me li rendono sempre nuovi.

Ho i miei preferiti, ovviamente (Porco Rosso, Totoro, Only Yesterday fra tutti) ma non ce ne è uno che non abbia visto e rivisto - ossessivamente, direbbe qualcuno.

Lo stesso è capitato all'autrice di questo bellissimo volume, che però, forte di decenni di conoscenza della cultura e della società giapponese, ha analizzato la vita e l'opera (anzi, le opere) del Maestro alla luce non solo delle fonti di ispirazione, dichiarate o meno, ma dell'influenza che hanno avuto nel Sol Levante prima e in tutto il mondo in seguito.

Ne risulta un saggio solido, denso, inusuale, lontano da quel poco, spesso all'acqua di rose, che ho letto negli anni.

Interessante e appassionante, da leggere magari premettendo a ogni capitolo una rispolverata del film trattato.