The Boy and the Heron might seem unfamiliar, but in just a matter of time, it’ll be known to many as the title of the latest Studio Ghibli movie. Read this article to find out more about the newest output of Hayao Miyazaki, which has remained shrouded in mystery.
While Studio Ghibli also came out with other classics, it values quality over quantity, and although it has many titles under its belt, it takes a while for them to produce new titles. With that, the studio is expected to come out with a new title soon.
If you want to learn more about what to expect from Studio Ghibli’s 24th film, read more to learn all there is to know about the new title. This article talks about not just the upcoming film, but also gives a refresher on the greatness of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.
Who is Hayao Miyazaki?
Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese anime director born on January 5, 1941, in Tokyo, Japan. His works have won not just critical praise, but also widespread acclaim. His father worked at a manufacturing plant that built fighter plane parts, instilling a love of flying in him.
The famous director graduated in 1963 at the Tokyo Gakushuin University, completing his studies in economics. Upon graduation, he worked as an entry-level animator at Asia’s largest anime producer, Toei Animation, where he met Takahata Isao.
In 1985, Hayao Miyazaki and Takahata Isao launched Studio Ghibli, and the following year, they released anime movies in Japan and the United States. The success only continued, and in 2001, the studio finally launched Spirited Away, which won multiple rewards.
Studio Ghibli films
Studio Ghibli has had many movies with a total of 24 titles since its first release in 1984. While many films have won multiple awards, some aren’t considered crowd favorites.
Here’s a chronological list of the different Studio Ghibli Movies.
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — released in 1984
- Castle in the Sky — released in 1986
- Grave of the Fireflies — released in 1988
- My Neighbor Totoro — released in 1988
- Kiki’s Delivery Service — released in 1989
- Only Yesterday — released in 1991
- Porco Rosso — released in 1992
- Ocean Waves — released in 1993
- Pom Poko — released in 1994
- Whisper of the Heart — released in 1995
- Princess Mononoke — released in 1997
- My Neighbors the Yamadas — released in 1999
- Spirited Away — released in 2001
- The Cat Returns — released in 2002
- Howl’s Moving Castle — released in 2004
- Tales from Earthsea — released in 2006
- Ponyo — released in 2008
- The Secret World of Arrietty — released in 2010
- From Up on Poppy Hill — released in 2011
- The Wind Rises — released in 2013
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya — released in 2013
- When Marnie Was There — released in 2014
- Earwig and the Witch — released in 2020
- The Boy and the Heron — released in 2023
The mysterious release of ‘The Boy and the Heron’
The Boy and the Heron was released in Japan in July 2023 without any promotion before its launch, causing a lot of fans to be surprised when it launched. The movie came out without any trailers or synopsis; all that was released was a single promotional poster.
The movie is still expected to launch in the U.S. in 2023, with its release in the UK yet to be announced. So far, the film’s reviews have been mixed, but like other Hayao Miyazaki films, it has received much praise regarding its narrative themes and, of course, its animation.
Since the film was released in Japan, those in the U.S. or UK might need to wait until the movie is set to release in their area. Like with other movies, fans of Studio Ghibli can’t wait for The Boy and the Heron to be officially released in their area.
Unique details about the film
The Boy and the Heron is reportedly about a magical underground that needs to be traveled for the main character to save his family. As the title suggests, the movie also includes a heron, which is badly injured, and other magical creatures.
As seen in some of its released images, there’s also a man with bird legs and a woman who seems to be in charge of a nursing home. The story is said to be inspired by a 1937 story of the same name written by Yoshino Genzaburo.
The movie is set during WWII and revolves around Mahito Maki, a 12-year-old who had to head to the countryside after losing his mother. Mojito then encounters a grey heron, which promises he can save his family as they travel to the magical underground world.
Conclusion
While not much is known about The Boy and the Heron, two things signal how it could be a fantastic movie: It comes from Studio Ghibli, and Hayao Miyazaki directs it. Fans of Studio Ghibli will have to wait for the film to be released in the U.S., UK, and hopefully other parts of the world.
