Film. Animation. Asian Studies. Japanese writer, producer, and director Hayao Miyazaki has set new standards for feature-length animation. Now Helen McCarthy offers the first book in English to introduce all of the master's major works. Mixing interviews with critical evaluations of art, plot, production and theme, she shows Hayao Miyazaki to be a meticulous craftsman whose films celebrate the strength of nature, the struggle of lesser peoples against greater oppressors, the search for utopia, and the eternal importance of love. This is a critical yet loving look at an astonishingly creative universe, and an essential guide for fans of animation, as well as students of film, literature, and popular culture. Included are 8 illustrations in color and over 60 black-and-white photographs and film images.