Includes bibliographical references (page 169) and index.

"The animations of Japan's Studio Ghibli are amongst the highest regarded in the movie industry. Their delightful films rank alongside the most popular non-English language films ever made, with each new eagerly-anticipated release a guaranteed box-office smash. Yet this highly profitable studio has remained fiercely independent, producing a stream of imaginative and individual animations. The studio's founders, long-time animators Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, have created timeless masterpieces ... This ... examines all their major works, including Laputa: castle in the sky, Grave of the fireflies, My neighbour Totoro, Kiki's delivery service, Only yesterday, Porco Rosso, Pom Poko, Whisper of the heart, Princess Mononoke and Howl's moving castle, as well as the critically acclaimed Spirited away and The tale of Princess Kaguya"--Publisher's description.