Starting Point: 1979-1996

Starting Point collects essays, interviews and memoirs from animator and director Hayao Miyazaki during his early career through the release of Princess Mononoke. The book provides firsthand accounts of Miyazaki's experiences in animation production, from his start at Toei Animation to the founding of Studio Ghibli. The text includes Miyazaki's detailed production notes and conceptual writings about his films, along with discussions of animation techniques and the creative process. His interactions with other figures in Japanese animation are documented through conversations and correspondence spanning nearly two decades. Technical aspects of animation filmmaking are covered extensively, with Miyazaki's observations about cel animation, storyboarding, and the transition to computer graphics in the 1990s. The book also contains his original proposals for both realized and unrealized film projects. The collected writings reveal Miyazaki's philosophical approach to storytelling and his views on the role of animation as an art form. His perspectives on environmentalism, pacifism, and childhood innocence emerge naturally through his discussion of creative work rather than through direct statements.

Readers value Miyazaki's honest insights into animation production and his creative philosophy. Many note his blunt opinions about the industry and appreciate learning about his early career struggles. Several reviews highlight the book's detailed discussion of character design, environmental themes, and Japanese work culture. Liked: - Behind-the-scenes details about specific films and projects - Original production sketches and concept art - Miyazaki's personal reflections on failure and growth - Translation quality Disliked: - Some essays become technical and dense - Content jumps between different time periods - A few readers found his tone overly pessimistic - Limited coverage of certain films Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (180+ ratings) "The book offers raw, unfiltered access to Miyazaki's thought process" - Goodreads reviewer "Required reading for animation students but might be too specialized for casual fans" - Amazon reviewer

Anime: From Akira to Princess Mononoke by Susan J. Napier A scholarly examination of Japanese animation's development explores the creative processes and cultural impact of major anime works from the late 20th century.

The Anime Art of Hayao Miyazaki by Dani Cavallaro This analysis chronicles Miyazaki's creative journey through his films, exploring themes, artistic choices, and production methods at Studio Ghibli.

The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston Two of Disney's core animators reveal the fundamental principles and techniques that shaped modern animation through detailed production examples and historical context.

Miyazakiworld: A Life in Art by Susan Napier This biographical study connects Miyazaki's personal experiences and beliefs to his artistic output through examination of his films and creative process.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud This exploration of visual storytelling breaks down the elements of sequential art and animation through analysis of technique, form, and narrative structure.

🎬 Starting Point collects essays, interviews, and memoirs spanning 17 years of Miyazaki's career, including his thoughts on the creation of classics like My Neighbor Totoro and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 🎨 The book reveals Miyazaki's deep admiration for European animation, particularly the works of Paul Grimault and Yuri Norstein, who significantly influenced his artistic style ✈️ Miyazaki's fascination with aircraft and flight, which appears throughout his films, stems from his father's work in the family business manufacturing parts for Zero fighter planes during WWII 📝 The original Japanese version of the book, published in 1996, was carefully curated by Miyazaki himself, who selected which essays and interviews to include from his vast collection of writings 🌱 The book discusses Miyazaki's environmental concerns and his philosophy that children should experience nature firsthand—beliefs that would later shape Studio Ghibli's decision to create a rooftop garden at their museum