Shuna's Journey, a one-volume watercolor illustrated graphic novel by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, is finally receiving an English release.
According to ABC News, the graphic novel, which was originally published in Japan in 1983, is being translated by Alex Dudok de Wit and will be released by First Second Books on Nov. 1. "Fans of Princess Mononoke and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — there are millions of us — will delight in finding early hints of these masterworks in gorgeous watercolor pages by Miyazaki's own hand," First Second Books' editorial and creative director Mark Siegal said in an official statement.
Shuna's Journey follows the titular prince of a small mountain valley that is experiencing a persistent and deadly famine. After Shuna encounters a dying traveler, who tells him about a magical grain that could save his people, he sets off on a quest to find the grain, which grows in a land in the west where the moon resides. The story was adapted into a radio drama in 1987; the titular character was played by Yōji Matsuda, who would go on to voice Ashitake in Princess Mononoke.
Miyazaki began his career at Toei Animation in 1963, working on several notable titles like Doggie March, Gulliver's Travels Beyond the Moon, Puss in Boots and Animal Treasure Island, before moving to A-Pro in 1971, where he co-directed Lupin the Third Part 1. Eventually, he would go on to co-found Studio Ghibli in 1985 and direct many of the studio's most iconic films like Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Porco Rosso and Kiki's Delivery Service.
He is considered a master storyteller as his work has resonated with audiences worldwide and is regarded as one of the most influential and accomplished filmmakers in the history of animation. Princess Mononoke was the first animated film to win the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year and Spirited Away remains the only anime movie to win Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.
While Miyazaki announced his retirement after the release of The Wind Rises in 2013, he returned to work in 2016 and is currently directing the upcoming film, How Do You Live?. The movie will adapt the 1937 novel of the same name by Yoshino Genzaburō.
Many of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki's beloved movies like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, The Wind Rises, Howl's Moving Castle, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke are available to stream on HBO Max.
Source: ABC News
