Thanks to the film comics of Studio Ghibli‘s classic films, fans have many ways to enjoy their favorites. Whether a film is currently inaccessible or you just want to sit and enjoy the art, it’s a great addition to your library. And this summer, the Ponyo film comic is coming together in a 592-page all-in-one edition!

We’ve got an early look at this upcoming release. How well does it adapt the movie? What are the ups and downs of sharing this title with young readers? Read on and find out!



Tiny Little Fish

For those somehow not in the know, Ponyo is a 2008 anime film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The Studio Ghibli production follows the magical goldfish named Brunhilde as she befriends a human boy named Sosuke. After he renames her (hence the film’s title) and she heals his wounded finger, she begins to want to live in the human world. Her father, a magician named Fujimoto, is very much against this. But, because she loves both Sosuke and ham, the young fish pursues her new human life.

The magic involved in this quest throws nature out of alignment. To save his new friend and set the world right, Sosuke will have to pass a test. If he fails, the young fish-girl will turn into seafoam. But, of course, most of us know how this movie really ends.



Reading Time

The film comic of Ponyo is a wonderful release for several reasons. Most obviously, fans can enjoy hundreds of pages of art from the film. The book is assembled in traditional manga formatting, meaning each screenshot is a panel. So don’t expect huge glossy reproductions. This is for reading comic-style, and thus the layout approximates the pacing and flow of a manga.

This is also great, for the most part, for young fans. Kids can read on their own or with a parent, reliving moments from a favorite film. And it makes a lovely gift for young fans who might already have the movie on Blu-Ray!



Things to Consider

The major downside of the Ponyo film comic is the same as the downside for other Ghibli film comics: the sound effects. Rather than being translated on the page, a special index at the back translates them by page and panel. While there’s really no tidy or aesthetically pleasing way to handle this, since we’re dealing with color screenshots, this does pose a problem. Long-time manga readers can likely muddle through the katakana or won’t mind flipping back and forth. But it could pose a slight problem for younger readers.

Even with this issue in mind, the Ponyo film comic is great to have available in English. Moreover, it’s great to have it all collected in one place. Whether as a novelty or as a family read, this is one to pick up for the summer.

I really like that the comic is a shot by shot version of the movie. The same art the same colors. It is nice to be able to read all my favorite Ghibli movies.

5 stars

This is a fantastic shot by shot comic rendering of the original film - each scene is beautifully cut into an easily understood manga - they even included the original Japanese sound effects to really reflect the origin of the material. The story is also fantastic and fun, and a great reimagining of the Little Mermaid fairytale. A little girl tries so hard to become a real girl, but in the background is her disgruntled father who knows that the human world is destructive and cruel. This is a great addition to the shelves of any Ghibli fan.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for this ARC.

One of my favourite Miyazaki movies, with the whimsical charm captured in what feels like ‘frame by frame’ graphic novel,
It was a wonderfully nostalgic experience flicking through this full colour comic edition, I spent a while paying attention to the detail in each frame.

The text is minimal, but well placed; perfect for a reluctant reader, or someone interested in animation as it works like a step by step guide in a way.

My only niggle is that the I would have preferred a deeper value/contrast in the images. I would have preferred a more intense black. Hopefully this will be rectified in the final print run.

Overall, this was just a joy, will be a wondrous bookshelf edition for any original fans and newcomers alike.

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

It's beautiful just like the movie.

Rating: 5/5

this was frame for frame the movie and the movie isn't my favorite, but it's still cute, but definitely not the same without the music and the actual animation

Beautiful art with amazing colours and details. The story is as wonderful as I remembered. The experience is amazing and you feel sucked in to the story as you read

This is a beautiful and fun comic adaptation of the original Ponyo film. The manga panels are well done and the addition of graphics enhance the reading experience. This is great for original fans of the Ponyo movie as well newcomers to the story. This book may also appeal to reluctant readers who have an interest in the film.

One of the best Miyazaki movies now in a graphic novel! It goes through the entire movie, almost scene by scene. It was so beautiful to flip thorugh and was incredibly nostalgic.

this is a frame by frame of the movie, but it is well done and delightfully nostalgic. it captures the story perfectly and the frames were extremely well chosen to give the same feelings as the movie. well done!

The magic of the Studio Ghibli movie on the page! Just as heart-warming as the film - I could spend hours poring over the pages of adorable artwork!

Any Ghilbi and Ponyo fan will be delighted with this full length comic of the film. It corresponds directly with the film in a page-by-page format.

This layout and format is delightful as the layout varies in format, adding to the artistic features.

Text is minimal and one may have a harder time with some of the storyline, but a reader unfamiliar with the story will still enjoy it.

This will be a great addition to any Miyazaki fan.

Thanks @NetGalley and @VizMedia for the advanced digital copy.

The *Ponyo Film Comic All-in-One Edition* captures the same whimsical charm found in all of Miyazaki’s works, bringing the beloved film to life in a graphic novel format. It’s essentially a direct adaptation, taking scenes from the movie and presenting them as a seamless visual story, making it a great way to experience *Ponyo* in a new medium.

While *Ponyo* has never been my favorite *Little Mermaid* retelling, it’s still a beautifully crafted story that holds a special appeal for younger readers. The fantastical elements, vibrant artwork, and heartwarming themes make it an engaging read, even if the narrative itself isn’t one I personally connect with as much as other interpretations of the classic tale. That said, for fans of the film or those looking for an accessible introduction to Miyazaki’s storytelling, this edition is a delightful way to revisit the magic of *Ponyo*.

As always, anything Studio Ghibli is magical. I will, however, say again that the printing on these all in ones could use a 20 percent bump in contrast. The blacks are nowhere near dark enough, so it looks washed out much of the time. Otherwise, I love it.

So glad I used my iPad. The colorful illustrations are beautiful. It’s a must purchase book for my library.

Loved this in colour! Great to have the story in one collection. Would love to read this on my colour kobo.