Books like Anime from Akira to Howl's moving castle by Susan J. Napier

Walt Stanchfield’s two‑volume collection of animated drawing lessons, preserved as legendary lectures that shaped Disney’s new golden age and influenced generations of animators.

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.

"The animations of Japan's Studio Ghibli are amongst the highest regarded in the movie industry. Their delightful films rank alongside the most popular non-English language films ever made, with each new eagerly-anticipated release a guaranteed box-office smash. Yet this highly profitable studio has remained fiercely independent, producing a stream of imaginative and individual animations. The studio's founders, long-time animators Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, have created timeless masterpieces ... This ... examines all their major works, including Laputa: castle in the sky, Grave of the fireflies, My neighbour Totoro, Kiki's delivery service, Only yesterday, Porco Rosso, Pom Poko, Whisper of the heart, Princess Mononoke and Howl's moving castle, as well as the critically acclaimed Spirited away and The tale of Princess Kaguya"--Publisher's description.