Rating: 
Summary: A decent fan book celebrating Miyazaki
Review: "Hayao Miyazaki : Master of Japanese Animation" is an OK book, and stands out only in the "beggars can't be choosers" world of English books about Miyazaki. Helen McCarthy deserves praise for getting this book out in the first place, and it is certainly not terrible.The book is full of justifiable praise for Miyazaki, and is clearly intended to be a fan book rather than a critical analysis of his films. Each film gets its own chapter, with a heavily detailed plot synopsis of each film (completely unnecessary to those who have actually seen the films) making up the bulk of the book. Lists of characters and character backgrounds are also included. There are several blatant factual/story errors in her interpretation, which makes me think a better editor might have been useful. There is some attempt at critical analysis, and it is appreciated, but more depth would have been better. There is a touch of history about Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, and a smap of detail about animation technology, but not enough to provide any real insight or background. I cannot say that I came away from this book with a deeper appreciation of his films. As a fan book, it is strangely lacking in pictures and rare information. Photographs of interesting Ghibli products would have been appreciated, or rare character sketches or anything that cannot be gleaned from the films themselves. In many ways, that is its main failing. If you have the movies, there is no need for this book.
Rating:
Summary: A decent fan book celebrating Miyazaki
Review: "Hayao Miyazaki : Master of Japanese Animation" is an OK book, and stands out only in the "beggars can't be choosers" world of English books about Miyazaki. Helen McCarthy deserves praise for getting this book out in the first place, and it is certainly not terrible. The book is full of justifiable praise for Miyazaki, and is clearly intended to be a fan book rather than a critical analysis of his films. Each film gets its own chapter, with a heavily detailed plot synopsis of each film (completely unnecessary to those who have actually seen the films) making up the bulk of the book. Lists of characters and character backgrounds are also included. There are several blatant factual/story errors in her interpretation, which makes me think a better editor might have been useful. There is some attempt at critical analysis, and it is appreciated, but more depth would have been better. There is a touch of history about Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, and a smap of detail about animation technology, but not enough to provide any real insight or background. I cannot say that I came away from this book with a deeper appreciation of his films. As a fan book, it is strangely lacking in pictures and rare information. Photographs of interesting Ghibli products would have been appreciated, or rare character sketches or anything that cannot be gleaned from the films themselves. In many ways, that is its main failing. If you have the movies, there is no need for this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Shallow Interpretations
Review: Although I appreciated Helen McCarthy's inside information from interviews and her filmography list, I found her analysis of these films very superficial. In short, I feel that any avid fan of Miyazaki could have written this book: it is simply a collection of facts and, as the other negative reviewer said, gushing about the films. There is no in-depth, intellectual engagement with Miyazaki's work.
Rating:
Summary: Shallow Interpretations
Review: Although I appreciated Helen McCarthy's inside information from interviews and her filmography list, I found her analysis of these films very superficial. In short, I feel that any avid fan of Miyazaki could have written this book: it is simply a collection of facts and, as the other negative reviewer said, gushing about the films. There is no in-depth, intellectual engagement with Miyazaki's work.
Rating: 
Summary: Sock it to the Mouse
Review: An excellent appraisal of anime's master craftsman, from the author of the superb Anime Encyclopedia. I wish there were more books like this about other Japanese directors, but McCarthy has picked the cherry from the top when she got Miyazaki. Better than Disney, better than Spielberg, better than... I guess I'd better stop. Just buy it.
Rating:
Summary: "Depths of wisdom and grace"
Review: As the first English-language study of one of the most (I'm using superlatives already) important figures in Japanese animation, Helen McCarthy's book is long overdue and an indispensable addition to the literature on anime. Other books have been written covering the field, (Antonia Levi's Samurai from Outer Space for one) but none have focused on a single artist. McCarthy, unabashedly writing as a very enthusiastic fan, details Miyazaki's career and his seven major films from Lupin III: Cagliostro no Shiro (The Castle of Cagliostro) in 1980, to Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke), the most successful Japanese film of all time, released in 1997. While not as comprehensive of all his works as a true otaku might expect there is still much to admire here, not least being the genuine delight McCarthy takes in describing the sheer joy of seeing Miyazaki's films. Some may suggest that this leaves little room for harsher criticism or detached discernment (we rarely spend much time exposing the flaws of our favourite artists) but when the works under discussion are Miyazaki's, superlatives seem inadequate. I am as dumbstruck by the sheer talent of the man as McCarthy and equally keen to praise his films as highly as possible. For any serious fan of anime it is a given that you will want this book. Hopefully it will help raise more awareness of Miyazaki's films (and manga) in the West. And if you think McCarthy hasn't done a good job, do as she suggests and write your own book. It would be difficult to run out of things to say.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece on a Master
Review: I can't even begin to grace this book on one of Japan's most famous creators of anyone's time. A book dedicated to his works along with tidbits of outstanding information about his views and ideas, it is about time that one was created. I have been a fan of his for quite some time and now there is a great guide to his movies from character bios, to story lines, personal thoughts on each of his movies, and more to come. If you really want to know an anime genius, this is a book for you.
Rating:
Summary: First to Cheer, For the Author and the Genius Miyazaki
Review: McCarthy has done us all movie lovers a great favor by filling this "first" book on Miyazaki with perceptive critical insights, generous illustrations, up-to-date news, and fascinating behind-the-making tidbits in a very eye-catching and reader-friendly edition. It is both an ideal intro for a new visitor just entering Miyazaki Universe, and an indispensible guide for a long-time fan like myself, who not only finds the book a fun read but also a fine study into the depths and richness of an artistic genius' work that I've treasured for years. For those millions of people out there who still haven't experienced Miyazaki, I envy you guys of "the magical first time" you're about to have. Go catch the movies and the book now!
Rating: 
Summary: a good sum-up
Review: Miyazaki is my favorite director, so I tend to carry this book around with me everywhere and pull it out whenever I'm at a loss for words to describe his films, which is, of course, everytime -how can you put words to beauty like that?! With about 5 pages of full color stills from his films, as well as a chapter on each of his major films, this is the perfect way to get an impression of his entire body of work. Particularly good for the new fan who just stumbled upon "Princess Mononoke" or "Spirited Away" and wants an idea of what else this genious has done. I am, however in agreement with these other reviewers about the content. This isn't for the hardcore fan who wants every detail about the "master at work" so to speak. It isn't a book about Miyazaki so much as a book about his films. The behind-the-scenes pieces on some of the DVDs would be a better place to look right now. We're still waiting for a book like that.
Rating:
Summary: An uniformative gushfest
Review: This book is not terribly informative and not well written. I loved all of the Miyazaki films I have seen and I have nothing against his fans, but this book did nothing to help me appreciate what goes in to making one of his films. The chapters are largely a summary of each film with character analysis. The sections entitled "Art and Technique" have NOTHING about art and technique in them. After reading the book I still don't know the process Miyazaki goes through, what animation techniques he uses or developes, who does the inking? What paints do they use? They used CG on Princess Mononoke, really? Which scenes? What software? Muliplane camera? Computers? Did Miyazaki do the CG himself? Does he do everything himself? The section on technique in Kiki's Delivery Service is really more character analysis, and the chapter on Mononoke is filled with even more plot summaries of the films already summarized in the previous chapters! Mcarthy uses broad generalizations to support her views. She has a few disparaging comments to make about "PC feminists" that she does not support. She criticizes western films but is not at all specific. Its just plain crap! This is a fanzine book and offers no real intelligent insight into how Miyazaki makes his films. It makes me think that just about anyone can get a book published these days!
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