Hayao Miyazaki’s manga, Shuna’s Journey, won the Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia category at the Eisner Awards. The story follows a prince on a mission to find a magical grain and save his village from famine. Studio Ghibli’s latest film, The Boy and the Heron, made an impressive debut in Japan, earning $11.3 million in its opening weekend. Ghibli Park also revealed new attractions based on popular films.
Eisner Award Won by Hayao Miyazaki
Shuna’s Journey is a one-volume watercolor illustrated manga that was originally released in Japan in 1983. It finally received an English release in November 2022. The manga tells the story of a prince from a small village who sets out on a quest to find a magical grain that can save his people from famine. The manga won the Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia category at the Eisner Awards, beating out other notable works.
The Boy and the Heron, also known as How Do You Live?, is the latest feature film from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Despite minimal promotion, the movie dominated the Japanese box office during its opening weekend, earning $11.3 million. The film was a major undertaking for Studio Ghibli, with production starting in 2016 and featuring completely hand-drawn animation. It is set to be released in North America later this year.
Ghibli Park, an amusement park based on Studio Ghibli’s films, revealed new attractions that will open in the near future. Mononoke Village, inspired by Princess Mononoke, will feature a statue of the boar god Okkoto-nushi with a built-in slide. Valley of Witches, based on Howl’s Moving Castle, will allow visitors to explore Sophie’s hat shop. Ghibli Park already has attractions based on other beloved films like My Neighbor Totoro and Whispers of the Heart.
Shuna’s Journey is distributed in North America by First Second Books. Additionally, many Studio Ghibli classics are available to stream on MAX. The Boy and the Heron will debut in North America later this year.
Overall, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli continue to captivate audiences with their exceptional storytelling and imaginative worlds. From winning awards for Shuna’s Journey to dominating the box office with The Boy and the Heron, their impact on the world of animation remains unparalleled. Fans can also look forward to visiting Ghibli Park and experiencing the magic of their favorite films brought to life.
