<p>The thought-provoking, aesthetically pleasing animated films of Hayao Miyazaki attract audiences well beyond the director's native Japan. <em>Princess Mononoke</em> and <em>Spirited Away</em> were critically acclaimed upon U.S. release, and the earlier <em>My Neighbor Totoro</em> and <em>Kiki's Delivery Service</em> have found popularity with Americans on DVD. This critical study of Miyazaki's work begins with an analysis of the visual conventions of <em>manga</em>, Japanese comic books, and <em>anime</em>; an overview of Japanese animated films; and a consideration of the techniques deployed by both traditional cel and computer animation. This section also details Miyazaki's 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 company's development and analyzing the director's productions between 1984 and 2004, including <em>Castle in the Sky, My Neig