Book Review: Shuna's Journey by Hayao Miyazaki

Shuna's Journey by Hayao Miyazaki

Before co-founding Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki worked as an animator at other studios and wrote manga. One project that didn't find a home in animation or manga is Shuna's Journey. Miyazaki wrote and illustrated this story based on a Tibetan myth of how barley was introduced to the country. Shuna is a prince of a nation that's constantly hungry. Their grain does not grow well enough to feed everyone. Shuna goes in search of a golden grain that is supposed to grow abundantly. The elders do not want him to leave but he goes anyway. On his travels, he has many odd adventures. He comes to a city where the main commerce is slave trade. He tries to free two girls but is rebuffed by the slave trader. Later, outside of the city, Shuna catches up with the slave wagon that's carted off the girls. He frees them and they travel west with him to the land of the gods, where the mythical grain is supposed to be in abundance. They arrive at the shore with the island of the gods in the distance. Their pack animal cannot continue and the girls are weary of traveling. They split up--the girls ride north and promise to wait for Shuna while he finds a way to the island.

So many elements recommend this book. The story is enchanting with its mythic past setting and Shuna's noble purpose--to help his people by making a great discovery after a long journey. Miyazaki's whimsy and creativity are on full display. The art is beautiful watercolors, often with full page images. Miyazaki does a good job conveying the story and the emotions without relying on dialogue or commentary. I liked the story a lot.

Recommended.