VIZ Ponies Up Ponyo Book Program

VIZ Media is set to release a series of new books based on Hayao Miyazaki’s new film Ponyo, which is due to be released by Disney in the United States on Aug. 14.

Ponyo is the acclaimed animation master’s retelling of the story of the Little Mermaid, based on the original tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

Among VIZ’s offerings are a four-volume Ponyo film comic book that uses full-color frames from the film, a Ponyo picture book and The Art of Ponyo, which goes behind the scenes on the making of the film.

The first two volumes of the film comic will be released Aug. 4 and cost $9.99 each, with the third and fourth volumes following Aug. 11.

The picture book also uses art from the film, as well as simplified text, to tell the story of the film for younger readers. It will be available Aug. 4 and cost $19.99.

Out Aug. 11 is The Art of Ponyo, a comprehensive softcover edition that includes sketches and layouts from the film, as well as interviews with production principals and the complete screenplay. It will sell for $34.99.