The Moral Narratives of Hayao Miyazaki

I am surprised that this book does not have more reviews. Not only is the content educational and thought-provoking, but the way Reinders shares his ideas is easy to follow. As an entrepreneur who is diving in to find the best ways to tell stories, I keep finding my way back to Miyazaki among other great storytellers. As one of few books on Hayao Miyazaki, Reinders' analysis of Miyazaki's films provides an approach that encourages me to dig deeper and even look at non-Ghibli films in another set of lens.In short: buy this book. It will open your mind to possibilities about Miyazaki's films. I am hoping to even someday find a full English book dedicated to Isao Takahata!

To start, I love Miyaziki, so I fall within the target audience for this book. The author walks through every Miyazaki film and evaluates it from various angles. He addresses the spiritual, religious, and political imagery. He looks for meanings and connections with other works. He tries to get into Miyazaki's head.A lot of what he finds won't surprise a Miyazaki fan. There is the animism and environmentalism struggling against modern society. The frequent mysticism tied to those. And the fascination with things that fly.In the end Reinders sums up his assessments. Two things go beyond what I just wrote, and were a bit more of a surprise to me. While the mysticism in nearly always there, many of the works skew more toward the scientific, while others toward the mysticism. And parents are rarely driving the story. (How Disney princess!)The book includes a summary of each film, which is good as a reminder, but someone who hasn't seen at least most of the films won't find this book very interesting. The author's do-your-own-Miyazaki exercise I could have done without.This book is worth having for Miyazaki devotees, but will likely not be of interest to others.I was provided a copy for review by the publisher.

As I liked watching Hayao Miyazaki's films, I am happy that someone has done a different take on some of my favorite works of his. This book focuses on humanity, love and religion, among other topics, which are not the usual "artistic techniques" kind of dissection which I was more familiar with.As I did not watch all of his shows, I am glad that the author manages to do a summary that is detailed enough but not filled with spoilers, yet meshes well with the insights he provided. However, this is not a book for reading at a single reading: I wished that it could be made more interesting in terms of more of the author's personal touches or humor, but I guess fans will find more drive in finishing it.*I got a free copy in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley

Skating through ten of Miyazaki's films Reinders adds insight and deepens appreciation for viewers. The language remains informal so the book is happily readable for all who are familiar with Miyazaki's anime work. There are spoilers, of course, since the essays are detailed. These essays are full of genial zealotry and remain most inviting.

The Moral Narratives of Hayao Miyazaki by Eric Reinders is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in mid-February.Drawing from his teaching/presentation of several classes and seminars, as well as viewership of Ghibli films between 2010-2015, Reinders gives a brief run-down of each film, examines individual moments and actions carefully for religious/moral significance and symbolism (animism, gateways, portals, sacred items, hell, damnation), and asks many, many rhetorical questions of the reader/student while often referencing the standpoints of philosophers and sociologists.

Fantastic

the subject of this book is what i am interested in. paper quality not great

great book for any Miyazaki fan. Well written, it examines themes, etc. in Miyazaki's films.