Translated by Alex Dudok de Wit
3 stars
A standalone tale loosely based on the Tibetan folktale, “The Prince Who Turned into a Dog”. This book is all Miyazaki. Stunning settings, a strong woman with agency and determination, fascinating creatures, rich backgrounds, and intentional ambiguity.
Slow-paced story that puts more emphasis on the visuals than the text. Some dialogue, but much of the tale is told through the narration.
The watercolors are magnificent. A rich blend of historical settings, sci-fi elements, and fantasy. It is clear Miyazaki worked on this in tandem with Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, making this a nice fit for fans of Nausicaä.
I especially enjoyed reading Dudok de Wit’s translation note. In it, he lays out the context for the book, pointing out the different connections to other Miyazaki works. It was interesting to see similar elements across worlds, sometimes in a setting, an entity, or an entire scene.
A unique blend of history, folklore, and imagination.