Miyazaki Illustrates Novel, Continues Manga

Always in touch with all things Ghibli, Ghibli World brings news today of the latest visual work done by aging director Hayao Miyazaki (Nausicaa, Laputa, Totoro, Spirited Away, Ponyo, so on, so forth). Miyazaki has created a special cover art and an abundance of illustrations for "Suishin 5 Hiro" - which is said to be the first ever Japanese translation of Robert Westall's World War II themed novel "Fathom Five".

"The children's book takes place in 1943, at a small pot town called Garmus in northern England. At midnight, the 16 year old Chas McGill sees a U-boat sinking a cargo ship. The next morning, he finds a transmitter at the beach. He and his friends start searching spies for fun, but this results in a serious situation..."

"Suishin 5 Hiro" is currently being published by Iwanami Shoten in Japan. In the meantime, Miyazaki seems to be enjoying his Kaze Tachinu manga that we wrote about last month. So much so, that he is continuing it beyond the not-so-final 2nd part, and could even push it for 5 or 6 parts. Again, Ghibli World has more details about Kaze Tachinu as well, along with the two sample drawings below.


As it happens, Gia also has a related story this week, relaying word that VIZ will be releasing a book with the English-translated essays written by Hayao Miyazaki between 1979 and 1996. The book, titled "Starting Point: 1979 - 1996", will go on sale this July 7.