Hayao Miyazaki‘s earliest memories are of destroyed cities, an unjust war that ravaged Japan, of fire, screams, and anguish. That’s why his filmography has always been linked to nature, to escaping reality, to the absurdity of wars. Luckily, an artist with his own sensitivity and style like him has managed to depict it not only on the big screen but also in the medium he loved since childhood: manga.
An incredible journey
Miyazaki wanted to be a mangaka, although he had no idea how to go about it. During high school, he drew thousands of pages for himself, trying to improve his skills with each attempt. Initially, he worked as an artist for series and movies at Toei Animation. Eventually, he managed to create a spin-off of one of those films, which later became Toei‘s symbol: ‘The Incredible World of Puss in Boots.’ From January to March 1969, the man who would later be regarded as one of the greatest directors in history was able to publish a manga based on the movie.
It was a way to enter the industry. Later on, he started publishing his own work. In 1983, he released his first graphic novel, ‘The Journey of Shuna,’ based on a traditional Tibetan tale. The story, presented in full color, captivated readers despite its simplicity. Yes, it was a very straightforward tale, but it was told in an incredible and unique way. It resonated so well that in 1989, it was adapted into a radio drama. However, what Miyazaki truly wanted was to turn it into his first original film. Up to that point, he had only directed the wonderful ‘Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro’ in the realm of anime.
It didn’t come to fruition. However, interestingly, at the same time, he was publishing another manga titled ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,’ which lasted for 12 years. Miyazaki had vowed never to adapt it into a film. He broke that promise, of course. The movie, Studio Ghibli’s first, was released in 1984. We know the rest of the story, and we can complete the puzzle of Hayao Miyazaki’s life with two key pieces: the first one being ‘The Boy and the Crane,’ his latest masterpiece.
The second one is ‘The Journey of Shuna,’ which, after years of being unpublished, has finally appeared this year in a fabulous 160-page edition. It won the Eisner Award for comics from Asia and has finally been published in Spanish. It is a must-read for Studio Ghibli fans, but also for those who appreciate Miyazaki’s subtle artistry. It’s a necessary addition to any respectable library. Forty years unpublished was far too long!
