In the summer of 1971, a young Japanese animator named Hayao Miyazaki embarked on his first trip abroad — a journey that would leave an indelible mark on the world of animation. His destination was Sweden: a land of pastoral beauty, medieval cobblestone streets lined with postcard-perfect houses and a rich heritage of storytelling and cinema.
While Miyazaki’s goal was an in-person meeting with the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren to get approval for a Japanese animated adaptation of ”Pippi Longstocking,” Lindgren never followed through with the meeting. Disheartened but ever the keen observer, Miyazaki turned his gaze to the architectural beauty of Stockholm. But even more so, he was captivated by the medieval town of Visby on Sweden's largest island, Gotland.
To reach Sweden from Japan in 1971 was no trivial endeavor, but even the ferry ride from the Swedish mainland to Gotland was arduous. Miyazaki spent only a few hours exploring Visby before needing to head back. Yet, in that brief span, he was profoundly moved by the town’s pebbled alleys, ancient walls and the harmonious blend of history and everyday life.
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