#1937 Novel That Inspired Miyazaki’s Next Movie is Coming Out in English

If you’re looking to get an idea of what director Hayao Miyazaki is currently working on, the classic inspiration for his next film—Kimi-tachi wa Do Ikiru ka (How Do You Live?)—is on the way over in English. Algonquin Young Readers announced plans to publish Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 novel How Do You Live?, with a release lined up for October 26.

The debut English edition of How Do You Live? is translated by Bruno Navasky and features a foreword by Neil Gaiman. Here’s how Algonquin Young Readers describes it:

HOW DO YOU LIVE? begins with fifteen-year-old Copper, who has recently suffered the loss of his father, gazing out over his hometown of Tokyo, watching the thousands of people below, and beginning to ponder life’s big questions. How many people are in the world? What do their lives look like? Are humans really made of molecules? The book moves between Copper’s story and his uncle’s journal entries, in which he gives advice and helps Copper learn pivotal truths about the way the world works. Over the course of a year in his life, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, embarks on a journey of philosophical enlightenment, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth and human nature to determine the best way to live. Yoshino perfectly captures the beauty and strangeness of pre-war Japan – the changing of the seasons, the fried tofu and taiyaki stands, and the lush landscapes, as Copper explores the city on his bike and learns from friends and family what really matters most in life.

Last time Ghibli checked in on the status of the film, Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki said the animation was about half-finished and the running time will be 125 minutes. It should be another few years before it comes out, so it’s safe to say you’ll be able to read the book before the film.

Via Anime News Network

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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.