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Hayao Miyazaki's Memoir
Turning Point: 1997-2008
In the mid-1990s, filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki moved from success to success as his work found an audience outside of Japan. His animated films of the era, including Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo, were internationally lauded, and Miyazaki won an Academy Award® in 2003 for his popular and critical hit Spirited Away.
Follow Miyazaki as his vision matures, as cinema-lovers worldwide embrace his creations, and as critics such as Roger Ebert take up the cause of animation and Miyazaki’s films. In a legendary career, these crucial years represent the turning point.
Follow Miyazaki as his vision matures, as cinema-lovers worldwide embrace his creations, and as critics such as Roger Ebert take up the cause of animation and Miyazaki’s films. In a legendary career, these crucial years represent the turning point.
452 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2008
144 people are currently reading
3,001 people want to read
About the author
Hayao Miyazaki
357?books3,350?followersHayao Miyazaki (Japanese: ŒmÆé òE) 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 Nausica? 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 Nausica? 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 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 7, 2020
Didn't enjoy it as much as starting point. In particular the repetition of essays on "old man thinks childhood is ruined now" got very tedious.
June 17, 2014
This second volume (vs. Starting Point, which covers 1979-1996, published 2009) compiles more interviews, essays, notes, and writings from one of my favorite filmmakers.
If you loved the former, you will probably love this volume equally though I find the content in Starting Point more diverse and compelling. Some of the interviews in this volume are repetitive (surprise, journalists ask the same questions) but certain parts are fascinating. Slight let down, considering some of my favorite films are from this period (1997 - 2008, Mononoke Hime - Ponyo). I still think they could have done more but also owe it a second read.
It's wonderful to see what a bundle of contradictions Miyazaki can be, and how complex the details of his filmmaking process. When you read this book, you realize how much of his filmmaking applies to every other aspect of his life; it's practically a personal philosophy.
If you loved the former, you will probably love this volume equally though I find the content in Starting Point more diverse and compelling. Some of the interviews in this volume are repetitive (surprise, journalists ask the same questions) but certain parts are fascinating. Slight let down, considering some of my favorite films are from this period (1997 - 2008, Mononoke Hime - Ponyo). I still think they could have done more but also owe it a second read.
It's wonderful to see what a bundle of contradictions Miyazaki can be, and how complex the details of his filmmaking process. When you read this book, you realize how much of his filmmaking applies to every other aspect of his life; it's practically a personal philosophy.
July 22, 2018
I really wished we would have gotten some insight into Howl's Moving Castle but there is really nothing said about it (the contents sections is perhaps a bit misleading for this text). However, this collections of interviews, essays, and project proposals offers great insight into what shaped Miyazaki's perspective on life. While Starting Point had a much more explicit focus on the actual film-making process and the films themselves, this text expounds about Miyazaki's views on other films, literature, ecology, and human civilization. Despite some interviews essentially conveying the same ideas thus leading to some repetition, I can't recommend this book enough if you're interested into getting a glimpse inside of Miyazaki's thought process and beliefs. However, if you're looking for a text focused more on his actual films, you're better off reading Starting Point.
March 8, 2024
miyazaki says shit like ¡°films have the power not only to salve our discontents with the world but to make us realize the yearnings within our hearts¡± then BOOM a whole chapter about japanese road-building
March 8, 2017
The first of these, , was a great book. This wasn't. Instead of being Miyazaki's 0bservations on filmmaking and articles he wrote over many years, it's mostly a collection of transcripts of his promo interviews for his later films. They say the same thing over and over, and give little insight into him as a person or the films themselves. You'll get as much from finding a decent article about Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl & Ponyo.
April 19, 2015
This book is as interesting as the first, but the subject is very different. Miyazaki is more interested in life, nature, and society in this time period. He talks in depth about these, in this collection of speeches, interviews, and production notes. The Ghibli museum was set up during this time too, so we see Miyazaki's thoughts on museum culture and the way children experience a space. I would recommend this book to people interested in Japanese history, contemporary society, and any number of subjects.
April 29, 2022
Having been a bit disappointed with , I was fairly indifferent about buying this next one, and only brought it as I had a gift card. I feel much the same way about it as the first. The translation feels a bit awkward somewhere, not google translate level peculiar but just things feel a little oddly worded or a little hazy in meaning. It could also have done with more footnotes (and with them in a more easily findable place, either put them at the bottom at the page, or all at the end!), expanding on various aspects of Japanese culture mentioned, the context of the piece, or even just the meaning of a word. It makes it feel like a rather mechanical translation to English and not a book where care and interest have been taken in producing an English edition. Perhaps the choice of pieces doesn't help this too, and for me the ones in this collection were less interesting than the first book. I like seeing his perspectives on things other than films but somewhere it felt a bit messy and confusing, perhaps due to lack of context on some of the pieces. After Princess Mononoke the texts have very little on his films, I don't think the Howl's Moving Castle section even mentioned that film! I was hoping to hear his thoughts on !
It is interesting to see a Japanese perspective of the West. I am intrigued as to where Miyazaki got the idea that 'in the class-orientated society of Britain, being a teacher is something with very high status. It's way above being a business man and ranks right below being a clergyman in the degree of respect you get from society'!?
Only for the really dedicated fans who don't mind some dense reading!
It is interesting to see a Japanese perspective of the West. I am intrigued as to where Miyazaki got the idea that 'in the class-orientated society of Britain, being a teacher is something with very high status. It's way above being a business man and ranks right below being a clergyman in the degree of respect you get from society'!?
Only for the really dedicated fans who don't mind some dense reading!
May 20, 2021
For over half of my life, Miyazaki's films (and the films of Ghibli) have impacted my life. They taught me extremely valuable lessons behind their enjoyably detailed scenes. This novel took you through some of those films through in-depth analysis and portrayed many of the lessons Miyazaki intended the viewer to learn and understand. From expressing how the films were meant to break molds, to how characters were purposefully imbued with certain personality traits. If you asked me, I think this book is great for any fan of Ghibli, and I learned a lot from it.
Nonetheless, while it did convince me to check out it's prequel of his earlier films, I do not see this as a novel I would re-read, as enjoyable as it was.
Nonetheless, while it did convince me to check out it's prequel of his earlier films, I do not see this as a novel I would re-read, as enjoyable as it was.
January 25, 2020
Reading this volume was enlightening as much as reading the previous volume of the series, "Starting Point". A collection of interviews, movie proposals, public conversations surely helps to understand better the mentality of an artist - in this case a great director like Hayao Miyazaki.
But unlike "Starting Point", this volume seemed to me less rich, less interesting, less revealing about his work. The section about "Howl's Moving Castle" was particularly disappointing, there wasn't almost anything about the movie itself - the great part of the articles was focused on Miyazaki's interest for bugs and Japanese history and on his dedication to the environmentalist cause. Those were obviously still interesting and shone a light on Miyazaki's interests and hobbies - and the sources of his inspiration.
Yet, while in "Starting Point" the various pieces were divided by topic and were more easily accessible, here the pieces were arranged in chronological order and I found the whole collection somehow dispersive.
The second reason why I gave this volume only three stars is the fact that, aside from the interesting observations about the art of animation and the lucid analysis of reality, the reader ends up meeting a "bleaker", more resentful version of Hayao Miyazaki. Sure, age takes its toll on the director, too, and makes him somehow more bitter and angrier at the world that surrounds him, but, from time to time, his bursts of negativity or his considerations that "When I was a child, we played better, kids nowadays are all dull thanks to television, videogames, etc." made it hard for me to keep on reading instead of closing the book - its tiring when people insist that their times were better and now there's no hope anymore (and even the rethoric that only children can save us and that adult are boring is so stale and annoying, tbh).
It was still an interesting reading and I recommend it to whomever wants to have a better insight on Miyazaki's mindset, interests and life.
But unlike "Starting Point", this volume seemed to me less rich, less interesting, less revealing about his work. The section about "Howl's Moving Castle" was particularly disappointing, there wasn't almost anything about the movie itself - the great part of the articles was focused on Miyazaki's interest for bugs and Japanese history and on his dedication to the environmentalist cause. Those were obviously still interesting and shone a light on Miyazaki's interests and hobbies - and the sources of his inspiration.
Yet, while in "Starting Point" the various pieces were divided by topic and were more easily accessible, here the pieces were arranged in chronological order and I found the whole collection somehow dispersive.
The second reason why I gave this volume only three stars is the fact that, aside from the interesting observations about the art of animation and the lucid analysis of reality, the reader ends up meeting a "bleaker", more resentful version of Hayao Miyazaki. Sure, age takes its toll on the director, too, and makes him somehow more bitter and angrier at the world that surrounds him, but, from time to time, his bursts of negativity or his considerations that "When I was a child, we played better, kids nowadays are all dull thanks to television, videogames, etc." made it hard for me to keep on reading instead of closing the book - its tiring when people insist that their times were better and now there's no hope anymore (and even the rethoric that only children can save us and that adult are boring is so stale and annoying, tbh).
It was still an interesting reading and I recommend it to whomever wants to have a better insight on Miyazaki's mindset, interests and life.
November 11, 2015
"Turning Point: 1997-2008" by Hayao Miyazaki, is the sequel to "Starting Point: 1979-1996". As such, it features much of the same - a wide variety of essays by Miyazaki on a range of different topics (history, environmentalism, Japanese society and culture, his Museum etc.) and some interviews and poems to boot, all while (mostly) avoiding talk of his movies. There was a more positive tone to this book than the previous title, which I appreciated, but I didn't find this as interesting. There was far too much talk about the environment and trees and the environment and trees and the environment and trees. I think it would even put Tolkien to sleep after awhile. Miyazaki is a fascinating man, certainly one full of contradictions (I suppose we all are, to an extent) and this is just as evident in this volume. He presents dangerous and sometimes disturbing ideas as ideal and then in the next breath, talks about the beauty of life and the need to preserve humanity. It's all very odd. I greatly admire the man for his craft and brains, but I don't think I'd like to meet him in person. I recommend this book, but only to die-hard Miyazaki fans.
8/10
8/10
March 9, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley and Viz Media for an advanced copy of this book.
Turning Point 1997-2008, the second volume of memoirs by acclaimed animator Hayao Miyazaki is much different from the first in this series Starting Point. Instead of more in-depth introspection on thoughts actions and inspirations for his previous animated works, this book is mostly collections and transcripts of studio press interviews, that lack the emotion behind the first book. Many points are repeated and discussed over and over. The distance is obvious on a few things, but their are still some spots of inspiration, and poems that make the book interesting, but mostly for true fans, not casual ones hoping to learn anything new.
Turning Point 1997-2008, the second volume of memoirs by acclaimed animator Hayao Miyazaki is much different from the first in this series Starting Point. Instead of more in-depth introspection on thoughts actions and inspirations for his previous animated works, this book is mostly collections and transcripts of studio press interviews, that lack the emotion behind the first book. Many points are repeated and discussed over and over. The distance is obvious on a few things, but their are still some spots of inspiration, and poems that make the book interesting, but mostly for true fans, not casual ones hoping to learn anything new.
April 11, 2021
I received an ARC of this title via NetGalley (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
This book reminded me a lot of Neil Gaiman¡¯s A View From The Cheap Seats. It is a wonderful compilation of Miyazaki¡¯s interviews and some various other writings over the listed years. The topics are varied so you can get a great idea of some of his views on the world and a bit about his movies. If you are looking for something going into depth about each movie, this is not for you. While it really went into details about Princess Mononoke it mentioned Howls Moving Castle only in passing. So in conclusion, looking for learning about the man himself this is a great companion book for research.
This book reminded me a lot of Neil Gaiman¡¯s A View From The Cheap Seats. It is a wonderful compilation of Miyazaki¡¯s interviews and some various other writings over the listed years. The topics are varied so you can get a great idea of some of his views on the world and a bit about his movies. If you are looking for something going into depth about each movie, this is not for you. While it really went into details about Princess Mononoke it mentioned Howls Moving Castle only in passing. So in conclusion, looking for learning about the man himself this is a great companion book for research.
May 28, 2019
This was so much better than I expected it to be. I was so surprised how into it I got especially after reading some reviews. The reviews were correct when it comes to the substance of the book though. The excerpts shared are not focused entirely on Miyazaki's animated films, but rather cover a broad range of his interests. This didn't bother me for the first two-thirds of the book, but when it came to the "Howl's Moving Castle" chapter I got disappointed due to the lack of segments regarding the film. If it wasn't for that, I would have definitely given it 5/5 stars.
March 4, 2021
It was an interesting read. As the reader you'll get to see the man behind the great films people from all across the world have seen. I don't read much non-fiction but this was good, to an extent. Miyazaki is an interesting fellow but as he grew older he became different. That is why, after reading STARTING POINT and this one here, TURNING POINT, I realized how important it is to separate the art from the artist.
I'd say read this if you really love Studio Ghibli's works and Hayao Miyazaki in general.
I'd say read this if you really love Studio Ghibli's works and Hayao Miyazaki in general.
May 1, 2015
there are some good interesting pieces in this collection but some of the round-table talks and even some of the interviews go on interminably. The book isn't just concerned with Miyazaki's films, although it is divided into sections for the periods Miyazaki was working on each film, in fact the section about Howl's Moving Castle manages to not be about that film at all!
July 17, 2014
Further interviews with/essays by Hayao Miyazaki. This volume contained less about Miyazaki's movies and more about his thoughts regarding environmentalism & politics- which is, of course, always interesting but as these are not his fields of speciality I found them somewhat less interesting.
February 20, 2020
Really great for Miyazaki fans! While some sections were light on info about the films (Howl¡¯s Moving Castle section didn¡¯t have any articles about the movie ?), it is still fascinating to get into the mindset of Miyazaki. I especially enjoyed reading his thought¡¯s on nature.
May 27, 2018
Crisp and insightful - about the winds of our times.
March 5, 2019
Getting an insight into Haao Miyazaki's words and thoughts is awesome. Though I wish the book had included comments on "Howl's moving castle" or more about "Ponyo".
November 6, 2019
A continuation of his memoirs that covers the part of his career everyone knows him for. The man continues to fascinate with his insight and knowledge.
Read
September 2, 2020More of the same (which is a good thing). I liked the first book more but only because I enjoyed that portion of his career more.
October 3, 2020
I started reading this directly after starting point, and at first I found them a bit too similar, but I really got into it in the final part
December 17, 2023
This book is split up into 3 sections or "eras": Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. When I started reading the first one it was all just interviews with Miyazaki about Mononoke and although I learned a lot about the movie, its themes and characters, After 3 or so interviews it got kind of boring so I skipped to the end, read the last interview with Rogert Ebert which was quite entertaining due to his Western view and stories he heard. Then I started on the Spirited Away chapter and to my surprise there were some interviews not about Spirited Away at all. Still, there were some about them, even with duplicate questions where it was funny to see how Miyazaki answered the question in slightly different ways. In this chapter you get a lot of Miyazaki just talking about his view on society and life and his philosophy.
Then I got to the 3rd section, hoping to learn about Howl's Moving Castle's themes and Miyazaki's thought on it, but there was absolutely nothing on it... The content was nonetheless very entertaining. There's a discussion between Miyazaki and Nick Park of Aardman, Miyazaki's thought on a lot of the exhibitions in the Ghibli Museum and a lot about his thought on WW2.
After reading this I got a lot of respect for Miyazaki, I really enjoy his way of look on the world. He seems to value nature very much, but can also see that there is a reason why people have reasons to destroy nature.
The translation comes of a bit stilted sometimes. It's always pretty clear what Miyazaki meant to say but the English sentences sound unnatural a lot of times and also typically translated from Japanese sometimes.
Then I got to the 3rd section, hoping to learn about Howl's Moving Castle's themes and Miyazaki's thought on it, but there was absolutely nothing on it... The content was nonetheless very entertaining. There's a discussion between Miyazaki and Nick Park of Aardman, Miyazaki's thought on a lot of the exhibitions in the Ghibli Museum and a lot about his thought on WW2.
After reading this I got a lot of respect for Miyazaki, I really enjoy his way of look on the world. He seems to value nature very much, but can also see that there is a reason why people have reasons to destroy nature.
The translation comes of a bit stilted sometimes. It's always pretty clear what Miyazaki meant to say but the English sentences sound unnatural a lot of times and also typically translated from Japanese sometimes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2023
These Miyazaki ¡°memoirs¡± are really funny to me because I genuinely can¡¯t imagine who besides a Miyazaki fanatic like myself would actually bother reading them. This is not an autobiography or even very informational, and it¡¯s hardly even about his movies. Instead, it¡¯s a collection of pretty much anything and everything Miyazaki has publicly said in interviews, speeches, essays, seminars, etc. in chronological order, regardless of what the topic was. This means that there is basically zero cohesion or focus, it¡¯s just whatever he was saying at the time whether it be about his upcoming film, his thoughts on a random movie he watched, or maybe the history of some prehistorical village. This is kind of odd and I think severely limits the potential audience who might only be familiar with him through his films. This is especially odd because the book is organized in sections labeled after his films¡ªPrincess Mononoke, Spirited Away, etc.¡ªhowever you¡¯re lucky if you get even one interview in each of those sections that¡¯s actually about that film. Don¡¯t expect to learn anything at all about the making of Ponyo or Howl¡¯s Moving Castle aside from a few sprinkled thoughts.
This is all culminates in a bad, boring book for most people, but hey, I¡¯m not most people! I gotta know it all! 5 stars!
This is all culminates in a bad, boring book for most people, but hey, I¡¯m not most people! I gotta know it all! 5 stars!
July 18, 2024
¡°Basically, I think I just want them to know that the world is deep and filled with variety. That there are infinite possibilities in the world they live in and that they are a part of this world. Perhaps it¡¯s enough just to say that the world is rich and precious and that they hold it in their hands. I honestly made this film just wanting to tell these young girls, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you can make it all right.¡±
I really enjoy learning more about the people who inspire me and so wish more of them had books like these, compilations of their interviews and such. I read "Starting Point" a few years ago and finally decided to pick this one up too and felt largely the same thing I felt while reading the first one, a big wave of inspiration.
This can become repetitive at times, you'll read a lot about how he thinks the state of the world is in decline, but it's understandable given the nature of the book. All that, however, is overshadowed by getting glimpses into his creative process, seeing how much he cares for nature and history and the importance he places on raising children to be happy, allowing them to be kids, to have whimsy in their lives and to explore the world around them even if they get hurt.
I really like this kind of book and will definitely read "Starting Point" and "Turning Point" many more times throughout my life
June 23, 2024
The second volume in the collected works of Miyazaki, consisting of interview, articles, opinion pieces and really all sorts of Ghibli goodies. Having read or better yet studying them both in the span of a few months I have learned an incredible amount about Studio Ghibli; the giants who work there and just the overall history of Japanese animation. It¡¯s a MUST READ if you want to delve into the still somewhat hidden way the studio operates. The tapestry of knowledge you receive is almost illegal.
That said:
Turning Point is definitely the lesser work. There¡¯s A LOT of repeating in the Mononoke chapter and in general Miyazaki¡¯s non animation interests are more explored here which are interesting but can be borderline boring when he keeps talking about how great forests are with people you never heard of. It is hilarious to hear (read) Miyazaki talk about 9/11.
My favorite tidbit was how Miyazaki doesn¡¯t allow camera¡¯s in Ghibli Museum because he wants kids to live in the moment and to let them escape their parents who want to take pictures of them every few meters.
Anyway, all in all, highly recommend reading Starting and Turning point. It¡¯s the most I¡¯ve learned since High School!
That said:
Turning Point is definitely the lesser work. There¡¯s A LOT of repeating in the Mononoke chapter and in general Miyazaki¡¯s non animation interests are more explored here which are interesting but can be borderline boring when he keeps talking about how great forests are with people you never heard of. It is hilarious to hear (read) Miyazaki talk about 9/11.
My favorite tidbit was how Miyazaki doesn¡¯t allow camera¡¯s in Ghibli Museum because he wants kids to live in the moment and to let them escape their parents who want to take pictures of them every few meters.
Anyway, all in all, highly recommend reading Starting and Turning point. It¡¯s the most I¡¯ve learned since High School!
October 29, 2024
Understand and deepen
This book should be read by anyone who loves Japanese animation and/or the extraordinary work of Hayao Miyazaki.
Far from an academic essay on a specific subject, this book compiles Miyazaki's interviews, articles and memos from 1997 to 2008. Divided into main sections that follow the Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle film releases, the articles provide a better understanding of the issues raised by Miyazaki.
Invited on numerous occasions by various universities, Miyazaki expresses himself on a variety of subjects close to his heart, such as ecology, humanity, feminism and the future.
However, he doesn't limit himself to highlighting the main themes of his works. We ask the director about his vision of the world, the society around him, but also about the world of animation and the changes taking place within it.
It's absolutely fascinating to see the way Miyazaki perceives the world, and makes it easier to understand his subsequent works.
A highly instructive book that opens up multiple fields of reflection.
This book should be read by anyone who loves Japanese animation and/or the extraordinary work of Hayao Miyazaki.
Far from an academic essay on a specific subject, this book compiles Miyazaki's interviews, articles and memos from 1997 to 2008. Divided into main sections that follow the Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle film releases, the articles provide a better understanding of the issues raised by Miyazaki.
Invited on numerous occasions by various universities, Miyazaki expresses himself on a variety of subjects close to his heart, such as ecology, humanity, feminism and the future.
However, he doesn't limit himself to highlighting the main themes of his works. We ask the director about his vision of the world, the society around him, but also about the world of animation and the changes taking place within it.
It's absolutely fascinating to see the way Miyazaki perceives the world, and makes it easier to understand his subsequent works.
A highly instructive book that opens up multiple fields of reflection.
January 28, 2024
Overall, this is an interesting read though quite different to what I was expecting. I thought it would be a solid book featuring essays and interviews directly relating to Miyazaki¡¯s films, his process and the creative journey. There are certainly sections like this throughout but interspersed with fairly long discussions around subjects which interest Miyazaki, such as Japanese history, nature and aviation.
I expect this is aimed more at someone perhaps studying Miyazaki and his work in an academic sense rather than a casual reader like myself. From my perspective, though interesting, there were definitely sections I felt could have done with editing. There are many repetitions of quotes and ideas which sometimes required more effort to read.
Will I re-read this book again cover-to-cover? No, I don¡¯t think I ever will. That said, I will return periodically and re-read certain parts again.
I expect this is aimed more at someone perhaps studying Miyazaki and his work in an academic sense rather than a casual reader like myself. From my perspective, though interesting, there were definitely sections I felt could have done with editing. There are many repetitions of quotes and ideas which sometimes required more effort to read.
Will I re-read this book again cover-to-cover? No, I don¡¯t think I ever will. That said, I will return periodically and re-read certain parts again.
February 29, 2024
An incredibly thorough collection of interviews/conversation/writings by Miyazaki. Personally I found that it could have used some way of making it easier to navigate / skim (it's pretty much interview after interview), but I guess as a primary source collection of interviews it's a real gold mine. I only read about half of the Princess Mononoke section. Reading these interviews gave me an insight into how much research he put into his films, but it also made me feel that his medium of choice sort of... quashed some of what's interesting about him as a person. The research and speculation of Princess Mononoke is neat - it's making a fantasy of people on the margins in an older period of Japanese History that usually isn't in dramas - but it has to all be condensed into 2 hours, and have a trad-ending. Perhaps that's the curse of physically painted animation, though.
June 30, 2024
For anyone wondering, this is not a book about animation. If anything, Miyazaki expresses his dislike for most animation and even film, any chance he gets. It is instead a peak into a great artist/thinker's mind, very straightforward and honest, and jumping from one subject to the other. Childhood, airplanes, nature, Japan's history and landscape, humanity, imagination, architecture.
It is known he is a great master of his craft, but what is highlighted through the two "Turning Point" volumes, is his great love of discovering, learning, imagining, passing down all the knowledge and ideas he's fermented in his head down to the young, especially children, with integrity and such honesty that commands you to look at life more positively.
I suggest you read at a slow pace giving yourself time to digest.
It is known he is a great master of his craft, but what is highlighted through the two "Turning Point" volumes, is his great love of discovering, learning, imagining, passing down all the knowledge and ideas he's fermented in his head down to the young, especially children, with integrity and such honesty that commands you to look at life more positively.
I suggest you read at a slow pace giving yourself time to digest.
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