1. Hayao Miyazaki

2.  He draws manga (Japanese for comic book).  He is also an animator.  He made his first cartoon film in 1979. It was called The Castle of Cagliostro.  He was born in Tokyo in 1941.

3.  His 1997 film, Princess Mononoke, won the Japan Academy Award for Best Film.  It is one of his favourite films.

4.  The Valley of the Wind is another film that he likes best.  Nausicaä is the main character of the film.  Nausicaä is a 16-year-old princess. She is brave and clever. She is flying on her jet glider in the picture.

5.  She has a pet called Teto. It is a small, furry creature with orange stripes. It is sitting on her shoulder in the picture.

6.  Miyazaki’s another favourite film is My Neighbour Totoro. It was made in 1988.  This film is about two sisters, Satsuki and Mei and their friend Totoro.  Totoro is a fat, round spirit that looks like a huge cat.

7.  Other famous comics or films by Miyazaki include: Kiki’s Delivery service

8. Castle in the Sky

9. Spirited Away

10. Porco Rosso The Cat Returns

11.  Overall speaking, the main characters in Miyazaki’s films are usually children, but his entertaining stories are popular with adults as well as children.  For more information about Hayao Miyazaki and his films, you may log on to The Hayao MIYAZAKI Web. END