by Hayao Miyazaki The boy and the heron just received the first trailer along with the mysterious film’s English release date. The film used to be shrouded in mystery when Studio Ghibli hasn’t released any information beyond the poster, but now fans have a trailer before the international release date. Although Miyazaki’s last film was released in Japan on July 14, the film’s international release date was unknown until now.
After a long period of silence from the film’s producers, the trailer for The Boy and the Hero not only sheds some light on what Ghibli fans can expect, but also reveals the film’s English release date. The trailer and release date in English will certainly be welcome news as Gihbli’s lack of marketing for The Boy and the Heron makes the plot of the film a mystery in quite a long time.
The Boy and the Heron releases on December 8 in English
The YouTube channel of American film distributor GKIDS Films has just released the trailer for The Boy and the Heron. The trailer introduces protagonist Mahito and his strange journey when faced with the death of a loved one. The art and animation style that fans of popular Studio Ghibli movies like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle are familiar with is being used again. This style is Hayao Miyazaki’s signature and it has brought him to the top of the entertainment industry. The film is probably his last after he retired following the release of the 2013 historical drama The Wind Rises.
Heron Boy and Child revolves around a young man named Mahito whose mother died during World War II. As he was grieving, a heron informed him that his mother was in fact not dead. The heron leads Mahito to an abandoned tower and there he enters another world. “Where death comes and ends. Life finds a new beginning.” The trailer hinted that the film revolved around the world of the dead. A black-haired woman also appears, although it is uncertain if she is the spirit of Mahito’s deceased mother.
The Boy and the Heron will have a special preview screening at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7. The film will also screen worldwide in London and New York. The film will then be released in cinemas in the US and Canada on December 8. The film, though not marketed, has performed exceptionally well at the Japanese box office, grossing around 53 million dollars. Studio Ghibli also has a huge international audience, with Spirited Away being the only non-English film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Hayao Miyazaki has expressed that this film has a personal connection to him as it is dedicated to his grandson. The film’s rave reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, which further fueled the anticipation ahead of its international release. The boy and the heron may be Miyazaki’s last Studio Ghibli film, but it also promises to be one of his best.
The boy and the heron released in English on December 8!
Source: GKIDS Films Website, GKIDS Films YouTube channel.