Hayao Miyazaki’s latest Studio Ghibli film, The Boy and The Heron, is coming to cinemas this year. After failing to retire for the nth time, The Boy and The Heron isn’t going to be the director’s last film. Given the stellar performance of most of Miyazaki’s films, it’s clear to see why he is objectively terrible at retiring as a director. But maybe this is a good thing since The Boy and The Heron draws from Hayao Miyazaki’s childhood.
The Boy and The Heron also features a stellar voice cast, with social media onlookers gasping in shock at Robert Pattinson’s hidden voice-acting talent. Nobody would’ve expected Batman to be a part-time bird in a non-DC universe. There’s a lot to be excited for with Studio Ghibli’s newest film, and it might be a good watch with friends and family during the holiday season.
The Boy and The Heron was released on July 14, 2023, in Japanese cinemas before playing the film festival circuit. Luckily for Miyazaki and Ghibli fans in the United States, The Boy and The Heron hits theaters on Friday, December 8, 2023.
The story is set in 1943 during World War II, and concerns a boy named Mahito whose mother was tragically killed in a hospital fire. Mahito’s father marries his mother’s younger sister, Natsuko, with whom he has a tense relationship. He moves to a new town and struggles to adapt, all while still dealing with the loss of his mother. Mahito, who is getting into fights with other kids at school, is tormented by a gray heron. Meanwhile, at home, Natsuko has gone missing and it’s up to Mahito to find her. This leads him into an alternate world where he meets Himi, a girl with magical powers—just your typical Studio Ghibli adventure.
(featured image: Studio Ghibli)
