‘The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki: The Influences and Inspiration Behind the Iconic Films’ - book review
Category: Books and Music
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most beloved filmmakers in Japan. His anime movies have topped the charts both in Japan and America. The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki: The Influences and Inspiration Behind the Iconic Films by Nicolas Rapold delves into the history of the iconic anime filmmaker and looks at what his inspiration has been throughout his life, that combined to create the movies.
Miyazaki’s films are pure fantasy. His subjects are often dark and disturbing, yet he has managed to capture the imaginations of viewers around the globe. Some actual locations were the inspiration for the settings in many of his stories.
Books, fairytales, stories, and personal experiences all made their way into the films, and, as readers will understand while going through the pages of the book, his mind and creativity are born of history and representations that affected his life.
While this is a book filled with background about Miyazaki, there are also plenty of images that show his inspiration as well as his films. Whether Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz, Miyazaki has found characters, places, and events that inspired his unique films.
While his films look like pure delight on the outside, there are many dark and disturbing layers that bear the stamp of this man and his message to the world.
Myazaki co-founded Studio Ghibli, which has produced several notable films and award-winners.
The sense of magic and awe are evident throughout his films. Reading about his inspirations and history adds more depth to the background of not only the stories but also the films themselves.
The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Castle in the Sky (1986)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Porco Rosso (1992)
Whispers of the Heart (1995)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Spirited Away (2001)
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Ponyo (2008)
Arrietty (2010)
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
The Wind Rises (2013)
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
For fans of the filmmaker, this book is a great addition to their library. It delves deep into the creative talent and although many dark sides of life are shown in the stories, it adds insight into the man and his films. This exploration of Miyazaki and his films is a well-rounded deep dive into the iconic Japanese filmmaker.
- <i>The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki: The Influences and Inspiration Behind the Iconic Films</i>
- Author: Nicolas Rapold
- Publisher<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>:<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>Frances Lincoln
- Publication date<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>:<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>September 16, 2025
- Hardcover: 224 pages
- ISBN-10<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>:<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>1836004818
- ISBN-13<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>:<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>978-1836004813</ins><ins datetime=”2025-11-06T21:01:17+00:00″>
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. Francine is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
To read reviews of some of his films, check out the following: