Reddit reviews Starting Point 1979-1996

Starting Point 1979-1996

Turning Point 1997-2008

There's no third book unfortunately. I don't know if that means that his notes for the Wind Rises are too lacking or classified, or whether the notes for his final films will be published once he passes away.

Starting Point <= Link to Amazon

it's a fucking good book. for professionals. not fans.

Has anyone at all read Myazaki's book starting point? You should. He elaborately explains his views on a very wide variety of topics in there, and it's a great read.

Spoiler: He does have the opinion that is pictured in the comic.

I'm reading the book Starting Point which gives a lot of really amazing insight into how Ghibli is the success that it is. Miyazaki is very idealistic as to how films should be and as to the experience that people receive from them. He has such strong intuition, vision and work ethic that he's able to make his ideals a reality.

In the book Miyazaki talks about how all films, even if they're lightweight or more common and popular, should be "filled with a purity of emotion". He says (written in 1988) "There are few barriers to entry into these films - they will invite anyone in - but the barriers to exit must be high and purifying. Films must also not be produced out of idle nervousness or boredom, or be used to recognize, emphasize, or amplify true vulgarity. And in that context, I must say that I hate Disney's works. The barrier to both the entry and exit of Disney films is too low and too wide. To me, they show nothing but contempt for the audience."

He has similarly critical views about pretty much all anime as well. It makes me think that even though he respects John Lasseter, he probably doesn't care for most Pixar films either.

Its amazing how all there are all these things about him that just combine perfectly to allow him to make the movies he does. I guess that's the mark of a genius, only Miyazaki could've been capable of making those films. It'll be a sad day for film and animation when Miyazaki is gone.

Perhaps you don't know, but Miyazaki has written two books on exactly what you're asking about. Those would be a great place to start when researching Ghibli and Miyazaki's style.

Starting Point (1979-1996)

Turning Point (1997-2008)

I haven't read the second one, because it doesn't release in English for a few weeks, but I have read the first one. It would definitely help with any paper you would want to write on Ghibli/Miyazaki. I'll answer your questions myself in a different post, once I ponder my answers a bit.

Regarding Miyazaki, the themes of female protagonists and ecological concerns might be a little obvious or overdone, but all depends on the context.
I suggest you to give a reading (if you've not already done so) to the "Starting Point" book http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Point-1979-1996-Hayao-Miyazaki/dp/1421505940 (it has a follow-up, "Turning Point" ). It's a compilation of interviews, speeches and short writings by Miyazaki himself (before 1996), mostly about his works; I've read it recently, and I found it fascinating, it has lots of interesting ideas; Miyazaki is a clever, articulated and nuanced guy.
For example, he reflects about in what sense animation can be called "escapism", and it what sense that escapism can be justified and healthy (this could be related to the thoughts of Tolkien (in his essay "On Fairy-Stories") - he also regrets that most anime lacks any "purifying" effect -or even intention.

Whatever you end up doing, I would recommend the book Starting Point which has a whole lot of Miyazaki interviews and writings relating to his work. It's a great book to read to get insight into his motivations and ideals. Perhaps look into the absence of villains within his work. The motivations for the antagonists are a lot more complex than those found in other animated films. Everyone has an agenda and it is most often not simply because they are teh-evil-dude-dat-wants-to-rule-da-world you find so often in Disney.