Japanese Animation. From Kabuki and Kamishibai to Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki and Takahata

The films of Studio "Ghibli" have conquered the whole world. But what is the secret of their beauty and impact on the viewer?

This book is a journey through the history of Japanese animation and Studio "Ghibli", and, most importantly, through the creative paths of two great directors. Anna Gold tells how the working methods of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata were formed, what artistic, mythological, and philosophical sources their works grew from ("Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind", "My Neighbor Totoro", "Grave of the Fireflies", "Spirited Away", "Princess Mononoke", "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya") and why their films changed the perception of animation.

Anna Gold is an art historian, animation historian, lecturer, and expert in popular science projects dedicated to Japanese culture, art, and folklore.