The thought-provoking, aesthetically pleasing animated films of Hayao Miyazaki attract audiences well beyond the directors native Japan. Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away were critically acclaimed upon U.S. release, and the earlier My Neighbor Totoro and Kikis Delivery Service have found popularity with Americans on DVD. This critical study of Miyazakis work begins with an analysis of the visual conventions of manga, Japanese comic books, and anim; an overview of Japanese animated films; and a consideration of the techniques deployed by both traditional cel and computer animation. This section also details Miyazakis early forays into comic books and animation, and his output prior to his founding of Studio Ghibli. Part Two concentrates on the Studio Ghibli era, outlining the companys development and analyzing the directors productions between 1984 and 2004, including Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro and his newest film, Howls Moving Castle. The second section also discusses other productions involving Studio Ghibli, including Grave of the Fireflies and The Cat Returns. Appendices supply additional information about Studio Ghiblis merchandise production, Miyazakis global fan base, and the output of other Ghibli directors.