This book provides a kind of backstage pass into the inner workings of a celebrated artist. It is a compilation of essays, articles, and transcriptions of interviews about the origins of Hayao Miyazaki’s animation career, and the founding of Studio Ghibli with business partner Isao Takahata. The collection offers a peek into the inspiration behind many of Miyazaki’s award-winning works, such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Castle in the Sky, as well as other pre-Studio Ghibli works. Miyazaki also offers his opinions on topics that might seem completely unrelated to animation—politics, the environment, the economy, foreign affairs—but that ultimately affect the animation industry, and his art as a result. Truly a great book for any fan of Studio Ghibli, especially those interested in the cultural significance of the movies.