Viz Media will publish Starting Point: 1979-1996 by Hayao Miyazaki on 4 August. The book—translated by Frederik L. Schodt and Beth Carey, and with an introduction by John Lasseter—traces the first half of the famed Japanese animator’s career, through a collection of his essays, interviews, memoirs, and manga. The publication is timed to coincide with the US release of Miyazaki’s newest film, Ponyo (Gake no ue no Ponyo).
The book traces Miyazaki’s rise from humble beginnings, through working as a salaried animator in others’ studios, to the launch of his own Studio Ghibli and the creation of such seminal animated films as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Porco Rosso. In it, he discusses his theories of animation, his “frustrations with the manga and animation industries that often suffocate creativity,” and his realization of the importance of bringing the childhood dreams of the world to life.
“Hayao Miyazaki is known and loved around the world for his imaginative films that continue to delight children and adults,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Viz’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Starting Point presents, in Miyazaki’s own words, his philosophies towards life, his work, the animation industry both in Japan and abroad, and his creative inspirations and motivations. He also offers lots of stories, many of them quite humorous, which show the extent of his complete dedication to animated film and the people with whom he works. We invite fans to enjoy this chronicle of the life of a man whose own dreams have come true.”
Miyazaki won the Venice International Film Festival’s Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005, and his Studio Ghibli received the Festival’s Osella Award for overall achievement in 2004. His film Spirited Away won the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
Viz will also be releasing the Ponyo Picture Book and The Art of Ponyo on 4 August; The Ponyo Film Comic will debut a week later.
Lasseter, who introduces the book, is the Pixar director of Cars, Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and more.