40 years after it was written, Hayao Miyazaki’s first graphic novel will finally be published in English.
Shuna’s Journey will finally be entitled to a publication in English. Forty years after writing it, cartoonist, director and filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki will finally give his first graphic novel the international visibility it deserves. The opportunity for all English-speaking – and more generally Western – fans to discover the work without having to read Japanese.
The book isn’t so much a manga as an emonogatari (illustrated story), with all-watercolor images and text mostly presented as captions. It is based on a Tibetan folk tale, and the fantastical pseudo-Central Asian setting has a lot in common with the world of NAUSICAÄ. (2/4) pic.twitter.com/GswSObbDhe
— Alex Dudok de Wit (@dudeydok) February 22, 2022
Formalized by project translator Alex Dudok de Wit, the book is described as a tribute to traditional Japanese emonogatrari comics from the late 1950s rather than a contemporary manga. Illustrated with superb watercolor drawings signed by the hand of its author, Shuna’s Journey was originally released in 1983 in Japan. Its graphic style is also reminiscent of that of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (released a year later), and Princess Mononoke.
Published by First Second editions, Shuna’s Journey will follow the adventures of a young prince who wants to save his kingdom from the threatening drought. During his trip, he will notably meet a young girl named Thea, whom he will save from the hands of her kidnappers. The newly formed duo will then go in search of the golden grain, the promise of prosperity for the people of Shuna.
Based on a Tibetan folk tale, Shuna’s Journey should speak to all fans of Miyazaki, who will find in its narration and its illustrations all the poetry of the author. Described by its translator as “luminous”, the graphic novel will be a continuation of the filmmaker’s animated films. After receiving international acclaim for his work on My Neighbor Totoro Where The Howl’s Moving Castlethe prolific artist could make himself a place on the world literary scene… four decades after the initial publication of his book. A good way to make his fans wait before the announced release of the last film of his career.
