VIZ Media is adding two animation gems to its publishing catalog just in time for the holidays, with Castle in the Sky and Princess Mononoke Picture Books bringing the magic of these Studio Ghibli masterpieces to shelve on December 5.
The releases coincide with the 30th anniversary of Castle in the Sky — Studio Ghibli’s first feature — in 2016, and the 20th anniversary of Princess Mononoke this summer. The hardcover picture books feature easy-to-read text and full-color pictures pulled from the films. These new titles join existing picture books for The Cat Returns, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, The Secret World of Arrietty and Spirited Away available from VIZ.
Castle in the Sky Picture Book (MSRP $19.99 US/$26.99 CAN)
The legends were true! Somewhere high in the clouds, human beings have again set foot on the floating island of Laputa, for centuries a peaceful, parklike ruin, tended only by its silent, faithful robots. But just behind Pazu and Sheeta are soldiers from the aerial dreadnought Goliath—who have captured Dola and her pirate crew, and are now looting the gold and jewels of the Castle in the Sky for themselves! But the man who guided them there, Muska, has his eyes on power, not money—and he alone knows how to activate the castle’s ancient superweapons that could make him master of the world! Can Pazu and Sheeta stop his sinister plan? Includes scene-by- scene illustrations and character dialogue from the film.
Princess Mononoke Picture Book (MSRP $29.99 US/$39.99 CAN)
Marked with the curse of a rampaging boar god, young Ashitaka sets off on a journey to cure his mysterious affliction. From behind the walls of an iron-mining town, Lady Eboshi arises to smash all obstacles to technological development. And from out of the forest comes Princess Mononoke, driven by a hatred of all humans. Can she and Ashitaka ally in time to stop the wild lands from being destroyed?
