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There are several Mamoru Oshii book lists on the Internet, but they do not provide detailed descriptions of the contents. My collection of Mamoru Oshii books is not yet complete, but I would like to write a short summary for each of those books.
I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors or incorrect information.
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title: 風の谷のナウシカ 絵コンテ２ C・Dパート
(Nusicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Storyboard vol.2, Part C & D)
*bunko edition
release date: 03/31/1984
publisher: Tokuma Shoten
[contents]
storyboard part C
storyboard part D
"My Dear, Hayao Miyazaki: an essay about manga-eiga" by Mamoru Oshii
[review]
This is a two-volume set of storyboards for Nausicaa. It has long been a bible for many amateurs and professional anime creators.
The main point of interest is Mamoru Oshii's comments. He criticizes the inconsistency of Miyazaki's anime reality. He also analyzes the anime's aporia associated with the term "manga film" (manga-eiga).
You don't need to buy this storyboard book since Oshii's comment is included in a book called All Films Become Anime.
Oshii's argument can be summarized as follows.
In the tradition of manga eiga, anime has become a faithful servant of drama. Since anime became story-driven feature films, visual experimentation declined, and anime became an imitation of live-action films. However, the abstract nature of animation allows for the creation of unrealistic scenes and stories. In those unrealistic stories, no matter how reckless protagonists are, they will not get hurt. Paradoxically, drama disappears from anime. "Animation films" cannot fully become imitations of live-action films. They revert to the neutral area called manga eiga.
Hayao Miyazaki is a great anime creator, but, in that sense, he is also a typical manga-eiga creator. The unrealistic landing scene of Conan exemplifies Miyazaki's manga-eiga aspects. Even though Conan jumps from an unbelievable height, it doesn't hurt him in any way. The inconsistent realism in Miyazaki's TV shows and films suggests the limitations of anime as a whole.
Miyazaki cynically suggests that anime studios have become like brothels for mindless anime consumers. Yet, we can also argue that those cheap anime may be distorted mirror images of Miyazaki's films. The excessive skill and hedonism of the animators prevent them from creating realistic drama. Miyazaki himself admits that he has difficulties in portraying heroes and villains. Just as young creators and older creators make different films, Miyazaki should start sending new messages to modern society.
Makoto Noda says that the comment might be a "starting point" of Oshii's core theme. I agree with him to some extent. At least, it shows Oshii's typical attitude towards anime. Oshii's realism looks like an antithesis of Miyazaki's anime.
