This book was written by Jonathan Lack as his undergraduate thesis in 2014 for the University of Colorado, and is a 3-chapter exploration of creativity in the works of beloved Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki, featuring in-depth close readings of the films KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, WHISPER OF THE HEART, and THE WIND RISES, placed in the context of Miyazaki's overarching career. While this was written as an 'academic' text, it is accessible and, hopefully, enjoyable for more casual fans of Miyazaki as well, including many revelatory quotes from Miyazaki himself, and images and illustrations alongside the writing. This book is the first volume in a 2-part 'complementary' series of texts on the Studio Ghibli co-founders, which also includes "Elegy for a Lost Tomorrow: Representations of Loss in the Works of Isao Takahata," also available here on Ko-fi.