Susan J. Napier

Napier has very much written a love letter to Miyzazki and his art, but it's not an uncritical missive, as the man has his own problematic aspects. Which, to be fair, he has also displayed some candor about. So here we have the child of a privileged childhood, that had many problematic family dynamics, and who has his own failings as a husband and father. We have the man who loves technology, but is acutely aware of the downside. And there is the humanist who is acutely aware of the failures show more of human behavior. Finally, there is the idealist who experienced the apocalyptic, and can embrace the prospect of cleansing disaster. Besides that, Napier uses her examination of each of Miyazaki's major works as a way of examining the man's own state of mind at the time, as he has always been politically committed; "The Wind Rises" being the capstone dealing with the man's values. Highly recommended if you want to have a sense of the man and the background of his work. show less

Amazing. Reading this almost felt like a betrayal an invasion of privacy. His life has been a long and difficult road. Born in a terrible time for Japan, raised in the shadow of great darkness, he carries that shadow. His views are so different from these modern times, yet he had grabbed ahold of the world and we have loved his art. The things I learned about him and his characters, scenery, and location choices gave me goosebumps. I never saw that but I see it now, so many layers. He is a show more workaholic, that is no surprise, but the fact that he struggled to be seen does. This is a very interesting man who has touched many hearts, while healing his own heart. Don't tell him I said that but that is what I read between these pages.
This man's art is breathtaking, the details, and colors so full and rich. My favorite are his clouds, they are so beautiful they compete with nature's version so well it's hard to believe they are drawn sometimes. I have been a fan of his work for many years, I own all his released movies, but knew little of the man behind the genius. You can get a feel of some parts of him though his art, his Shinto touches are most visible to me. His movies are so filled with hope, dread, adventure, struggle, heartbreak, love, loneliness, and renewal. Everyone who watches seems to get something different form his work all feel something strongly. How did this man get so many complex layers, we get to know a few. If you're a fan, read this book. Interested in the mental after effect of devastation and war on a man, read this book.
I loved this book. I read a chapter then watched the movie it was talking about. I suggest you do the same with a new vantage point. show less

A rather good scholarly review of popular and unpopular anime, including some coverage of hentai. There's a little bit of postmodern bullshit in there (e.g. the suggestion that Old Tokyo crater in Akira represents 'anal abjection' rather than, say, the atomic bombing of Japan), but on the whole it's insightful and well written. It's also pretty much unique at this point in time. Recommended.

Arguably the first essential book on anime. To my mind it bears comparison with Charlie Gillett's "The sound of the City: The Rise of Rock and Roll". You may or may not agree with the author's thesis, it's just that that author was first one to pull it all together. Great stuff with lots to chew on. And a great cover, too!