Coming soon from Hayao Miyazaki

I’m as big a fan of Hayao Miyazaki as they come, not only because he’s one of the world’s greatest directors and storytellers, but also because of his fierce dedication to his craft. And so, I’m quite excited by not just one, but two treats coming soon from the master.

The first is the domestic release of his latest film, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, which has been described as a return to the simpler storytelling of Miyazaki’s earlier films, such as My Neighbor Totoro. Ponyo will be released in the States on August 14, 2009, and if Pixar’s John Lasseter has anything to say about it, it’ll be the biggest domestic Miyazaki release to date. Which is fine by me.

The second is Starting Point: 1979 — 1996, a collection of Miyazaki’s columns and essays that cover his views on animation, Studio Ghibli, and the creation of such masterpieces as Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki’s Delivery Service. The English version of Starting Point: 1979 — 1996 will be released by Viz on July 7, 2009 (you can preorder now at Amazon). More info can be found at the mighty Twitch.