The thought-provoking, aesthetically pleasing animated films of Hayao Miyazaki attract audiences well beyond the director's native Japan. "Princess Mononoke" and "Spirited Away" were critically acclaimed upon U.S. release, and the earlier "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Kiki's Delivery Service" have found popularity with Americans on DVD. This critical study of Miyazaki's work begins with an analysis of the visual conventions of manga, Japanese comic books, and anime; an overview of Japanese animated films; and a consideration of the techniques deployed by both traditional cell and computer...