From Moviefone: Movie fans might not know that Portland, Ore., is home to one of the United States' most thriving communities of comic book creators and publishers. Within that comic book Mecca lies Periscope Studios, where some of the city's most passionate and talented cartoonists, illustrators, writers, concept designers, graphic novelists and storyboard artists inspire each other to create so much of the great work we all enjoy.

To help keep things interesting, Periscope frequently issues a sketch challenge whereby studio members must create an original work based on a unifying theme. Last week, that theme was the animated oeuvre of Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary director of such Japanese classics including 'Spirited Away,' 'Kiki's Delivery Service,' 'My Neighbor Totoro' and many more. What the Periscope Studios members returned was so excellent, that we really had no choice but to dedicate an entire Best Movie Art Ever (This Week) post to their work. The illustrations were published on Periscope's bookmark-worthy sketch blog, but you can see some of our favorites after the cut.

Kiki's Delivery Service by Dustin Weaver

Laputa: Castle in the Sky by Ron Chan

Princess Mononoke by Dylan Meconis

Spirited Away by David Hahn

My Neighbor Totoro vs. Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood by Ben Dewey

Laputa: Castle in the Sky by Rich Ellis

To see the rest of the awesomeness, head over to Moviefone!

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