Reviews

Shuna's Journey by Hayao Miyazaki

con's review

adventurous emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

bugsisshrimp's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

4.25

dana_yamaguchi's review

4.0

“This freedom wasn’t bought.
I swore by my sword that I would fight for your honor.
You are free.”
-Shuna, from Shuna's Journey by Hayao Miyazaki

meta1machin3's review

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

audreychiao's review

5.0

5 stars. Wonderful, weird, and beautiful. I see the origins of Hayao Miyazaki’s stories, characters, and creatures. I am fascinated by his mind. This graphic novel, published in 1983, is the only one he published as a book. It is fantastical, eerie, and real. There is so much emotion in his drawings, conveyed by the colors and the little quiet, still moments.

bibliobrandie's review

4.0

My first manga! So glad it was by the wonderful Hayao Miyazaki, who will forever be tied in my mind to my daughter, Cidney, and her love of him. I wish I had loved fantasy when she was watching all of his movies. I imagine she would have loved this manga when she was growing up and I hope other middle grade readers will discover Miyazaki through this newly translated manga.

The story is based on Tibetan folklore and Shuna is on a quest to find golden seeds. There were some ecology elements, and the theme of small human kindnesses overpowering human greed is beautiful. Also there was a great female hero. The narration sits along the edges of Miyazaki's beautiful artwork, allowing the visuals maximum space. End matter includes a note from the author and the translator.

eliofynn's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

odditymx's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

barkshark's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

rosyse's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5