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Miyazakiworld

A Life in Art

by Susan J. Napier

Cover of Miyazakiworld
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A thirtieth-century toxic jungle, a bathhouse for tired gods, a red-haired fish girl, and a furry woodland spirit — what do these have in common? They all spring from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki, one of the greatest living animators, known worldwide for films such as *My Neighbor Totoro*, *Princess Mononoke*, *Spirited Away*, *Howl’s Moving Castle*, and *The Wind Rises*. Japanese culture and animation scholar Susan Napier explores the life and art of this extraordinary Japanese filmmaker to provide a definitive account of his oeuvre. Napier insightfully illuminates the multiple themes crisscrossing his work, from empowered women to environmental nightmares to utopian dreams, creating an unforgettable portrait of a man whose art challenged Hollywood dominance and ushered in a new chapter of global popular culture.

Criticism and interpretationAnimation (Cinematography)BiographyAnimatorsAnimated films, japanAnimated films