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This book explores anime auteur Hayao Miyazaki's films through the lens of the monomyth of the Heroic Quest Cycle. According to Joseph Campbell and other mythology researchers, the Quest is for boys and men, with women acting as either the Hero's mother or the Prize at the end of the journey. Miyazaki nearly exclusively portrays girls and young women as heroes, arguing that we must reassess Campbell's archetype.
The text begins with a brief history of animation and anime, followed by Miyazaki's background and rise to prominence. The following chapters look at each of Miyazaki's films from the perspective of the Heroic Quest Cycle, with the last section outlining where Miyazaki and other animators can lead the archetype of the Hero in the future.
List of contents
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Oh, Miyazaki. Where Art Thou?
1.¿This Is What It Means to Be Miyazaki Hayao
2.¿A Tale of Two Princesses: The Birth of the Female Hero
3.¿Kiki and Sheeta and Mai
4.¿Chihiro's Journey: Spirited Away as Archetypal Quest
5.¿Sophie's and Gina's Hearts: Grownup Heroes
6.¿Ponyo and Arrietty: The Post-Human Hero?
7.¿What's Next? Ghibli and Beyond
Epilogue
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Deborah Scally is an assistant professor of humanities at the University of Texas at Dallas. She writes mostly about anime and manga.
Summary
Explores anime auteur Hayao Miyazaki’s films through the lens of the monomyth of the Heroic Quest Cycle. The text begins with a brief history of animation and anime, followed by Miyazaki’s background and rise to prominence. The following chapters look at each of Miyazaki’s films from the perspective of the Heroic Quest Cycle.
