The Art of Nesskain

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What is it about Nesskain's artwork that arrests my attention? It could be the way that each of his pieces manages to feel intimate without necessarily being erotic. It could be the ethereal palettes of his digital paintings, or the intricacies of his pen and ink comic layouts. Maybe it's his subject matter, juxtaposing urban surrealism with sci-fi subtlety. Maybe it's something that escapes me right now, dancing beyond the cusp of words. Whatever it is, I like it.

Nesskain is the nom-de-plume of Hong Kim-Seang, a professional comic artist and illustrator from France. He counts both Hayao Miyazaki and Hideki Anno as his inspirations, which isn't surprising given his character and mech designs. It only gets better after the break.

The Wind Rises

Sadly dubbed as Hayao Miyazaki's 'farewell masterpiece,' The Wind Rises finally gets it's US trailer debut, and it's a bittersweet one. Dubbed as a high point of Hayao Miyazaki's directorial career by critics, the movie will be making it's way to US theaters in late February on a wide release under Disney's Touchstone Pictures banner. While it's sad to see him that seat, after seeing his son capture that essence that makes Ghibli movies quintessentially 'Ghibli' with Up On Poppy Hill, I'm not too sad. Looking forward to watching this one in theaters.

The Wind Rises is Miyazaki’s take on the life and times of early 20th century aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi, blending aspects of the real-life Horikoshi’s experiences with fictionalized elements (based on the novel written by author/poet Tatsuo Hori). As such, the film is thematically a fitting capstone to Miyazaki’s career-work, as it explores the impact of WWI on Japanese society – in addition to the lead-up to the second World War.

Hayao Miyazaki Officially Retires From Directing

The day has finally come as Hayao Miyazaki formally announced that he would be stepping away from directorial duties at Studio Ghibli, making room for some new talent to hopefully take the reigns. As we speak, his latest feature called Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises) is currently one of Japan's biggest box office hits of 2013, so at least he got the chance to step out on a high note. Thankfully he'll still be supervising on projects for the next ten years or so (In his own words), but will be free from the stress associated with his past position (Check out this behind the scenes during Spirited Away for an idea). In Miyazaki's own words:

I’m not sure you all know exactly what an animation director does. And even if you say ‘animation director’ everyone has their own way of working. I started as an animator, so I have to draw. If I don’t draw, I can’t express myself.

So what happens is, I have to take my glasses off and draw like this. I would have to do that forever. No matter how physically fit and healthy you are, it’s a fact that year after year the amount of time you’re able to concentrate on that decreases. I have experienced this personally, so I know. So, for example I leave my desk 30 minutes earlier compared to during Ponyo. Next I guess it’ll be one hour earlier than that.

Those physical issues that occur with age, there’s nothing you can do about them, and hating them doesn’t make a difference. There’s the opinion that i should just do things a different way, but if I could do that I would have already done a long time ago, so I can’t. Therefore, all I can do is persist in doing things on my terms, and I made the call that feature films would be impossible.

Beautiful Studio Ghibli Tribute Illustrations By Yaphleen

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Yaphleen, who also goes by the name of Yaya has been hard at work on a series of beautiful illustrations paying tribute to the works of Studio Ghibli, and they are pretty stunning. Executed in a handful of different styles, ranging from painterly renderings to more graphic takes inspired by the likes of Alphonse Mucha, each of her pieces offer a distinct interpretation of the spirit of each film.

While the folks at Studio Ghibli have gone back to simpler, more understated stories as of late with movies like Up On Poppy Hill and Arrietty, Yaphleen has stuck to her favorite epics, including memorable features like Princess Mononoke (My personal favorite), Castle In The Sky, Spirited Away and Nausicaa, which you can enjoy after the break. While you're at it, don't forget to check out the preview for Studio Ghibli's first teaser for The Wind Rises.

Hayao Miyazaki's "The Wind Rises"

After a five year hiatus since the release of Ponyo, Hayao Miyazaki is back with his newest animated feature, The Wind Rises. Based off Jiro Horikoshi, the engineer who designed the Zero Fighter for Japan during World War II, The Wind Rises looks to be a bit less "fantastical" and tad more grounded than previous Miyazaki works. Despite there not being talking cats, fantasy creatures, and unknown worlds (as far as we know) the animation of The Wind Rises is looking absolutely stunning. With references to Miyazaki's 2009 work on the two-part manga, Kaze Tachinu (which also tells the story of Jiro Horikoshi) the newest film seems to be expanding on the story with a new cast of characters. 

Before the production of Ponyo, Studio Ghibli's computer animation department was dissolved in a movement to shift all work to paper. The movement has paid off tenfold, and it seems the studio's skills as a hand-drawn department improve dramatically with each film. While no International release has been announced, The Wind Rises is coming to theaters July 20th in Japan.

Miyazaki Films : Reimagined By Crimson Daggers

Ponyo! (Via)

The films by Hayao Miyazaki are some of the most beautiful, mind-blowing animated films of all time. I've never finished any of these films unimpressed, Arrietty included. As a tribute to the ongoing legacy created by Studio Ghibli, the concept art group Crimson Daggers (run by Dave Rapoza) set up a challenge for artists to re-imagine a Miyazaki movie poster. The results, that you can see for yourself here, are absolutely kick ass!

8 more after the break!