The Boy and the Heron (2023)

​“The Boy and the Heron” stars Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Shōhei Hino, Ko Shibasaki, and Takuya Kimura. Released in Japan on July 14, 2023, the film has a boy discovering a fantastical world inside an abandoned tower.

The film was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who also directed films such as “The Castle of Cagliostro,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” and “The Wind Rises.” Regarding the art of animation, we have several filmmakers who understand the medium better than anyone, especially during the recent years with Spider-Man and Puss in Boots. They know that animation is more than just a distraction for kids with its zany characters and energetic slapstick. It’s a tool to bring creative storytelling and three-dimensional characters to life through its visual style and unique identity. One of those filmmakers is someone who never fails to impress their audience with their sublime visuals, memorable characters, and breathtaking narratives, and they reside in Japan. I’m referring to Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most influential and highly-praised directors to grace the animated cinematic lands. Even by today’s standards, his films prove that traditional animation can coexist with CGI animation in modern Hollywood. This year, the filmmaker is coming out of retirement again to further prove that theory with another movie that combines mature themes with awe-inspiring fantasy elements. Was it able to successfully continue Miyazaki’s legacy in the animation world? Let’s soar into the skies and find out.

The story follows Mahito Maki (Santoki), a 12-year-old boy who recently lost his mother, Hisako, in a hospital fire during the Pacific War. When his father, Shoichi (Takuya Kimura), an air munitions factory owner, remarries Hisako’s younger sister, Natsuko (Yoshino Kimura), the family moves to her estate in the countryside to start a new life. While struggling with his new surroundings and remaining distant from Natsuko, Mahito discovers a mysterious grey heron (Suda) that leads him to a ruined and sealed tower in the woods. When Natsuko suddenly disappears, Mahito and the Grey Heron embark on a dangerous quest to rescue her inside the seemingly abandoned building, which houses an alternate world full of magic. Amid his journey, Mahito discovers that his mother might be alive inside the mysterious realm. 

Aside from Disney, I grew up watching Studio Ghibli movies from Miyazaki, mainly “Castle in the Sky” and “Spirited Away”. As I gained more experience with animation and filmmaking throughout the years, I appreciated those films even more for their themes, visuals, and storytelling. They even got me to watch the other movies from Studio Ghibli, not just from Miyazaki. So I wasn’t surprised that I was super excited to see Miyazaki’s first project since coming out of retirement…again. More importantly, it’s my first time seeing a new Studio Ghibli film in the theater since Miyazaki’s previous movie, “The Wind Rises,” almost a decade ago. Yes, it has been that long since I saw something that beautiful on the big screen. But I’m not writing this review to discuss my finest theatrical anime memories. I did it to talk about “The Boy and the Heron”, a gorgeously sublime and subtly thoughtful display of animation brilliance that only Miyazaki knows how to make.

Hayao Miyazaki is known for delivering animated movies involving mature themes like environmentalism, pacifism, feminism, and family. They may seem kid-friendly based on their animation covers and fantasy elements, but within their diverting colors are metaphoric poems that are inspiring and relatable to older viewers. “The Boy and the Heron” is no different, as it portrays Mahito’s coming-of-age journey of surviving a heart-aching world surrounded by grief, loss, conflict, and malice. It also happens to take inspiration from the director’s childhood, in which he lost his own mother in a tragic accident. These themes have been explored before in other movies and television shows, but how they’re displayed in this film is simple, subtle, and, more importantly, beautiful. Would I say it’s the best thing Miyazaki has directed? Not really. However, he still proves to be the master of animation cinema through his direction and screenplay, both of which offer metaphoric and imaginative creativities that happen to have a bunch of talking birds.  

There were a couple of concerns that may not sit well with specific moviegoers compared to my experience. Much of the first half is spent on the film’s dramatic side, showcasing Mahito’s struggle with significant changes regarding having Natsuko as his new mother. People wanting to witness the movie’s magical dream-like world, including kids, may have to be patient with the first half’s build-up. Thankfully, the pacing and compelling drama are strong enough to maintain my interest in its characters and the bizarre situation they wind up in, including Mahito. The other thing that may turn off some viewers is that “The Boy and the Heron” is the director’s most complex movie he made, mainly due to its world-building and narrative. While some moments can get a bit confusing at first, they rarely detract from my experience, as the film's breathtaking backgrounds and sentimental nuances successfully distract me from its complexity. Plus, I understood its thematic undertones straightaway, but it doesn’t hurt to have repeat viewings to fully grasp its gentler meaning. Aside from those concerns, “The Boy and the Heron” is still another excellent and heartwarming portrayal of animation art that reminds me why I love Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli, and even the medium.

I couldn’t find the time to watch the English dub version of the film, which I heard has an impressive selection of actors. However, that hardly matters to me, as the Japanese cast did very well with their performances to make me not regret my choice of seeing the original dub. Soma Santoki was solid as the quiet yet internally lost Mahito and Masaki Suda offers plenty of humor and mischievous charm to his role as the Grey Heron. Aimyon was also decent as Lady Himi, a young woman in the alternate world who shares a history with Mahito. Maybe someday, if I decide to see the movie again, I will try to watch the English dub and see how its all-star lineup compares to the original dub’s cast. Until that happens, consider me impressed with the Japanese actors they chose to envision its characters.

Finally, we have the film’s animation. Amid its barrage of CGI family-friendly fluff, it’s always a joy to relive the nostalgia of watching a 2D animated movie in the theater, especially one made by Studio Ghibli, and this is no exception. Like Miyazaki’s previous works, the animation style in “The Boy and the Heron” reflects the majesty and serenity of its painting-like settings and fantastical elements without missing a beat in its visual narrative. Additionally, it provides plenty of fluidity and detail in the character designs that are impossible to resist, whether they’re a human or a bird-like creature. The way Miyazaki envisions this world and his story through his art of hand-drawn animation proves that a 2D animated movie is possible in today’s culture. The studios just need to start taking chances of making more of them again, especially Disney. But, of course, I can’t forget about Joe Hisaishi’s music, which never fails to soothe my ears with its hypnotic melodies. It’s far from his best, but Hisaishi’s score in the film is still pleasant to listen to. 

Overall, “The Boy and the Heron” is a subtly beautiful and fantastical display of grief and acceptance in a tragic reality that relies on the strengths of Hayao Miyazaki’s brilliant mind. It may not have soared as high as some of my all-time favorite films from the director, like “Spirited Away”. Regardless, it’s a welcoming and thoughtfully animated work of art that’s also Miyazaki’s personal film to date. From its delicately metaphoric storytelling to its fantastic animation, the movie successfully flies its way into my heart with its dream-like imagination and mature themes. If you’re a massive fan of animation and Studio Ghibli, mainly Miyazaki’s works, it is definitely worth checking out.

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