The Magic of Studio Ghibli: A Journey into Miyazaki’s Imaginary World

Filled with luminous images from every feature film, this immersive guide traces Studio Ghibli's mythic universe, connecting each film to the folklore that inspired it.

Spanning all twenty-three Studio Ghibli feature films by Hayao Miyazaki, this guide reveals the symbols, spirits, and recurring motifs that bind the studio’s worlds together. Drawing on folklore, religion and centuries of cultural history, it explores how ancient beliefs, archetypal figures, and legendary narratives become vivid characters, fantastical realms, and deeply human stories. 

Gorgeous reproductions immerse readers in Studio Ghibli’s visual world, inviting them to linger over the artistry and atmosphere of every film, from My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited Away, Ponyo, and The Boy and the Heron.

Each chapter combines historical background, plot, and an exploration of the film’s distinctive forms of magic, tracing connections to Shinto and Buddhist thought, European fairy tales, and other influences while revealing the meanings, ideas, and references woven throughout these films. 

• A richly illustrated and culturally informed journey into Ghibli’s magical universe
• Provides an accessible yet expert introduction with clear, thematic chapters
• Explores the ideas and spiritual traditions that shaped the studio’s artistic vision 
• Covers the studio’s entire filmography, featuring over 150 images
• Ideal for animation lovers and all readers interested in Japanese folklore

Blending mythology and film criticism, this definitive thematic companion is a new way of seeing the movies audiences have loved for decades.