The Art of The Boy and the Heron
The official behind-the-scenes art book celebrating Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki’s latest critically-acclaimed masterpiece, comprising 336 pages of image boards, background paintings, characters sketches and scenery, as well as the completed script. Those who can read Japanese (or cross their fingers and hope for the best from a translation app) can read Miyazaki’s original proposal and interviews with key creatives Yu Honda (animation director), Yoji Takeshige (art director), Okui (DP) and others. Or, simply enjoy being whisked away to another fantastical Ghibli world through the artwork alone!
[Tokuma Shoten JP | ~$30]
The Art of The Creator: Designs of Futures Past
Dive into 200+ hardbound pages of never-before-seen imagery, interviews and a full journey from script to screen of the stunning retro-futurist AI thriller. Film journo James Mottram is our guide, following The Secrets of Tenet and Jurassic World: The Ultimate Visual History. Commentary from director Gareth Edwards, production designer James Clyne and stars John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney and Ken Watanabe bring the creative process to life, illustrated with concept artwork and production imagery that shows human talent remains, as yet, inimitable.
[Insight Editions | $75]
Star Trek: Lower Decks — Crew Handbook
The crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos, that fateful Starfleet vessel at the core of the hit Paramount+ adult comedy toon, offers insider tips to new recruits. The hilarious guide is penned by sci-fi author Chris Farnell, who also graced this dismal planet with the official Doctor Who joke book, Knock! Knock! Who’s There?
[Titan Books | $29.95 | Dec. 19]
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Bonus features: TEENage Mutant Ninja Turtles ● The Mutant Uprising ● New York, New York: The Visual World of Mutant Mayhem ● Learn to Draw Leo
[Paramount | DVD $20, BD $25, 4K $33 | Dec. 12]
Spirited Away: Live on Stage
Includes recordings of both cast performances at the 2022 opening run in Tokyo, led by Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro.
[Shout! Factory | $24]
Cat City
Deaf Crocodile brings another Hungarian animation experiment to light with this 1986 sci-fi animal crime tale by Béla Ternovszky. The release also includes three rare shorts from the director.
[Deaf Crocodile | $35]
