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Inspired by a Tibetan folktale, this is a pre-Ghibli Miyazaki story that will feel familiar to his fans. The stunning watercolors, the nature-magic commentary around environmentalism, it's all here. According to the translator a blend of this tale and Le Guin's Earthsea books are the foundation of the early Ghibli films. If you love Miyazaki, read this. If you don't yet love Miyazaki, read this and you soon will.

Published in Japan in 1983, two years before Studio Ghibli launched, just now published in English, this graphic novel is a gift for fans of the beloved animator Hayao Miyazaki. Inspired by a Tibetan folktale about their staple grain barley, Shuna‘s Journey is a sparely written but beautifully told and richly illustrated fable about the power of interdependence, working in relationship with the land, and sowing the seeds for a brighter future.

I can‘t believe it took so long for the English translation but I‘m grateful it was published nonetheless. I‘m a huge fan of his work and just had to snag this one when it came out for preorder. It was a quick read, but I tried to savor every illustrated detail and every word. It‘s based on a Tibetan folktale but with Miyazaki‘s magical touch. It was a beautiful, sometimes eerie tale with an important hidden theme and a perfect ending.

Like watching a Ghibli movie. First published in 1985 in Japan and only just now translated into English. It‘s stunning. Stunning stunning stunning. Classic storytelling. Reminiscent of Princess Mononoke and Nausica. So many stars for this one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had a hard time finding a book for my last #BBRC prompt #AdultAGraphicNovelFromTheYearYourWereBorn but this Miyazaki 1983 classic has just been translated into English for the first time. It‘s an amazing little story based on a traditional Tibetan legend about barley becoming their staple crop. With adaptations that tell a larger political story. It‘s beautifully done and unlike anything I‘ve read before. Very glad I picked it!

I saw the physical book in the bookstore yesterday. I‘m not tempted at all🙈. Yeah, right!