Unveiling the Hidden History of Hayao Miyazaki’s Masterpiece
Studio Ghibli fans around the world have something extraordinary to look forward to! A new volume of the Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Collection focusing entirely on the legendary 1997 anime film Princess Mononoke is set to be published by Iwanami Shoten. Supervised directly by Studio Ghibli, this comprehensive release offers an unprecedented look into the creative process of master director Hayao Miyazaki.
What’s Inside the New Collection?
The upcoming collection showcases how the epic dark fantasy film evolved from initial ideas into a groundbreaking cinematic milestone. Here are the major highlights included in this volume:
- 258 Concept Artworks: Features a massive archive of drawings, including 90 newly unveiled images that have never been published before.
- The Abandoned “Early Version”: Includes concept art from the original, dramatically different concept inspired by “Beauty and the Beast,” which Miyazaki originally envisioned before shifting directions.
- Complete Picture Book Integration: Contains the full story text from the 1993 Princess Mononoke picture book created prior to the film’s production.
- Exclusive Interview: A deep-dive interview at the end of the book with veteran Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki, sharing behind-the-scenes secrets of the production.
Endorsed by ONE PIECE Author Eiichiro Oda
Adding even more prestige to this release, Eiichiro Oda, the legendary creator of ONE PIECE, has contributed an official recommendation for the book. Miyazaki’s struggle to break away from conventional tropes to create the final version of Princess Mononoke continues to inspire creators across the entire manga and anime industry.
This upcoming image board collection is poised to be an essential treasure for art lovers, animation historians, and Ghibli fans eager to see the raw genius of Hayao Miyazaki on full display.
Source: Yahoo News Japan