The boy and the heron
“The Boy and the Heron” is a 2023 Japanese animated fantasy film directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The film, with a duration of 124 minutes, follows the story of Mahito Maki, a boy who discovers an abandoned tower in his town after the death of his mother during the Pacific War. The film, despite sharing a title with a 1937 novel by Genzaburō Yoshino, presents an original story.
Miyazaki, who initially announced his retirement in 2013 but later returned to film, began working on the project in 2016. Production faced challenges, including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Miyazaki’s slower animation pace. With a budget that makes it Japan’s most expensive film, the script is based on Miyazaki’s childhood, exploring themes of coming of age and grappling with a world marked by conflict and loss.
Released in Japan on July 14, 2023, the film attracted attention for its unique marketing approach, with no trailers or promotional materials released in advance. Despite this, “The Boy and the Heron” received critical acclaim, grossing more than $84 million worldwide and earning a spot on the National Board of Review’s Top 10 Movies of 2023.
The ending of the boy and the heron explained
At the end of “The Boy and the Heron,” 12-year-old Mahito Maki’s journey takes a magical turn. After discovering a sealed tower in the forest, Mahito encounters a mysterious gray heron who takes him to an alternate world full of magic. In this kingdom, he meets characters such as a younger version of Kiriko and Himi, a young girl with magical powers.
Mahito’s goal is to rescue Natsuko, his stepmother, who is about to give birth in this fantasy world ruled by Natsuko’s great-uncle, a powerful magician. As the story unfolds, Mahito faces challenges, including a castle guarded by giant man-eating parakeets. Finally, he discovers that he has the opportunity to take responsibility for maintaining this magical world.
However, Mahito decides to return to his world, realizing the importance of being with the people who love him despite the difficulties. During the escape, he discovers that Himi is a younger version of his mother, Hisako, and that she and Kiriko must return to their own time to ensure Mahito’s birth. The alternate world collapses and Mahito, Natsuko and the heron return to his world and reunite with Mahito’s father, Shoichi.
All the inhabitants of the magical kingdom transform into normal animals and escape. The heron, saying goodbye to her, hints that Mahito will eventually forget the events in the alternate world. Two years later, Mahito and his family returned to Tokyo. The finale beautifully concludes Mahito’s fantastic adventure, emphasizing the importance of love, family, and facing the challenges of the real world.
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The Boy and the Heron Movie Duration
“The Boy and the Heron” is a captivating Japanese animated fantasy film with a running time of 124 minutes. Directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, the film was produced by Studio Ghibli, known for its iconic animated works.
Released in Japan on July 14, 2023 and later in the United States on December 8, 2023, the film weaves a moving story around Mahito Maki, a 12-year-old boy who discovers a mysterious tower that takes him to a fantastic world. . Drawing from Miyazaki’s childhood and presenting a unique story, the film explores themes of coming of age, loss, and the magic inherent in everyday life.
The Boy and the Heron Cast
Character |
Japanese voice actor |
English voice actor |
|---|---|---|
|
maki maki |
Soma Santoki |
Luca Padovan |
|
The gray heron |
Masaki Suda |
Robert Pattinson |
|
Lady Himi |
Aimyon |
Karen Fukuhara |
|
natsuko |
Yoshino Kimura |
Gemma Chan |
|
Shoichi Maki |
Takuya Kimura |
Christian bale |
|
Great uncle |
Shohei Hino |
Marcos Hamill |
|
Kiriko |
Ko Shibasaki |
Florence Pugh |
|
noble pelican |
Kaoru Kobayashi |
Willem Dafoe |
|
The parakeet king |
Jun Kunimura |
David Bautista |
|
Izumi (Maid #1) |
Keiko Takeshita |
|
|
Utako (maid #2) |
Jun Fubuki |
|
|
Eriko (maid #3) |
Sawako Agawa |
|
|
Aiko (maid #4) |
Shinobu Otake |
|
|
Warawara |
Karen Takizawa |
The Boy and the Heron Trailer
The plot of the boy and the heron
“The Boy and the Heron” takes place during the Pacific War in 1943 and features 12-year-old Mahito Maki. After the tragic death of his mother in a fire at a Tokyo hospital, Mahito and his father, Shoichi, move to the countryside, where Shoichi remarries his late wife’s sister, Natsuko. . Fighting the pain, Mahito encounters a mysterious gray heron and discovers a sealed tower in the forest. Armed with a bow and arrow made from heron feathers, Mahito embarks on a journey to a fantastical world.
The narrative weaves between Mahito’s struggles in the real world and his adventures in the magical kingdom. Guided by the heron, he encounters characters like Lady Himi and faces challenges, including a castle guarded by giant man-eating parakeets. The story explores themes of loss, coming of age, and the complexity of relationships.
In a climactic twist, Mahito learns about the origins of the alternate world and faces decisions that could alter his destiny. In the end, he decides to return to his own world, valuing the love of his family despite his difficulties. The film concludes with Mahito and his family returning to Tokyo, marking the end of their transformative journey between reality and enchantment.
The Boy and the Heron Where to Watch
“The Boy and the Heron,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, was released in U.S. theaters on December 8, 2023. The film, which was inspired by Miyazaki’s childhood and was based on Genzaburō Yoshino’s 1937 novel , initially premiered in Japan on July 14. , 2023. The US release followed limited theatrical screenings and preview events that began on November 22.
Fans eagerly awaiting the film’s arrival in theaters can find showtimes on platforms like Fandango, Regal, AMC Theatres, Alamo Drafthouse, and Cinemark. While there was no official confirmation regarding its streaming availability at the time of its theatrical release, the film was expected to be accessible digitally in early 2024.
Studio Ghibli films typically joined Max’s library, so it was likely that “The Boy and the Heron” would do the same. As for a digital release, viewers may have had to wait until 2024 to enjoy the Studio Ghibli production from the comfort of their homes. It was recommended to stay tuned for updates on its streaming and digital release after its theatrical release.
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