This book is the complete collection of storyboards from the Ghibli animated film Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises), directed by Miyazaki Hayao. All the storyboards were drawn and painted by the director himself. If there are prettier storyboards out there, I haven’t seen it. (except maybe this one.)

Below : The first few pages of the book gives you a primer on how the storyboards are read and captioned, complete with a lexicon of commonly used lingo in the animation industry like “Fix” (meaning a locked camera shot), “Pan”, “T.U” (track up), and more.

(above) More often than not the empty spaces beside the panels are replete with additional information describing a particular action happening in the scene, often for the animators’ benefit. (below right) Miyazaki-san often draws and paint beyond the confines of the storyboard panel, again to give the reader of the storyboard a more expansive view. This also denotes a panning camera shot.

(above right) When reading Miyazaki-san’s storyboards I am always on the lookout for his delightful little doodles and mini comics (see grumpy versions of San & Ashitaka in the Mononoke Hime Storyboards), often draw to motivate himself or just for the sake of fun. The director’s alter-ego is a bespectacled pig, seen here finishing up Part B of the storyboards.

A beautiful work of art, from cover to cover. The vast amount of work and artistic skill required to complete such a thick volume (641 pages) is a true testament to the love of the craft that Miyazaki-san has for his work. Run, not walk to get this one.

Also be sure to check out the official “Art Of” book for Kaze Tachinu.

Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises) Storyboard Book 風立ちぬ スタジオジブリ絵コンテ全集19 details :

– Dimensions – 8.7 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
– 641 pages
– Soft cover with cardboard slipcase
– Watercolor/B&W, in Japanese

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