Apart from being one of the best directors in the world, Hayao Miyazaki is also worth listening to. That is because the man is known for not beating about the bush, and when he says something he can be uncommonly candid in describing his taste and distaste of things.
This lack of sugarcoating is thankfully also applied when he talks about himself, as is apparent in his 500 page-long book "Starting Point: 1979 - 1996".
This is a collection of columns and essays by Miyazaki in which he covers his work in animation, his founding of studio Ghibli, the state of animation worldwide and the creation of many of his masterworks.
During the period described here Hayao Miyazaki directed "Lupin III: the Catle of Cagliostro", "Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind", "Laputa: Castle in the Sky", "My neighbour Totoro", "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Porco Rosso", and helped produce many more.
So rest assured he had plenty to talk about!
All non-Japanese-speaking readers of this site rejoice: on the 7th of July, publisher Viz will be releasing an English translation of this bundle, and it can be pre-ordered through our affiliate.
For those interested in what can be found in this book, there are plenty of details to be read in the interview GhibliWorld.com did with Viz editor Nick Mamatas.
Hayao Miyazaki's book "Starting Point: 1979 - 1996" up for (pre-)order in English!