Viz Continues Chronicling The Career Of Hayao Miyazaki In April With ‘Turning Point: 1997-2008′

This April Viz Media will follow up 2009's Starting Point: 1979-1996, its initial batch of essays, interviews, memoirs and illustrations chronicling the career of manga creator and animation film director Hayao Miyazaki, with Turning Point: 1997-2008. While the first book followed Miyazaki's early life and career well into the founding of Studio Ghibli, many North American fans will be most familiar with the time period this new 400 page hardcover given that it covers the creation of award-winning films like Spirited Away, The Cat Returns, Howl's Moving Castle, Tales From Earthsea and Ponyo.

"These two memoirs focused on Hayao Miyazaki are extremely insightful and give tribute to the power of animation as an art form," said Masumi Washington, Senior Editorial Director in an official press release. "Both Starting Point and Turning Point offer collections of essays, interviews, and memoirs that go back to the roots of Miyazaki's childhood, the founding of Studio Ghibli and continues with essays and discussions focusing on some of his most popular films, including Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. A captivating must-read for any anime aficionado or fan of the entrepreneurial spirit, these new books are wonderful tributes to a true visionary’s unending dedication and skill as a master storyteller."

Like Japanese books and manga, Starting Point and Turning Point are bound to be read from right to left.

Even though the 73-year-old Miyazaki retired from directing last year, he's still busy working on a new samurai manga and other projects -- including working on the Studio Ghibli Museum. Many speculate that his retirement from animation will only be temporary, but even if he does focus his attention elsewhere, there's sure to be plenty to read in a third volume of this series covering 2008 and onward.

Turning Point: 1997-2008 is available on April 8.