Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron has found itself soaring into the world of streaming. Written and directed by the revered maestro of animation, Hayao Miyazaki, audiences who missed the theatrical run have the comfort of watching it at home now thanks to Warner Bros. streaming service Max.
The Boy and the Heron is a captivating film filled with Studio Ghibli’s signature stunning visual landscapes and a profound emotional depth at its core that not only captured the imagination of audiences worldwide last year but also grabbed the Best Animated Feature award at the Oscars earlier this year winning against favorites like Sony Animation’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Neon’s Robot Dreams. While the film’s official title may seem direct and straightforward, the original Japanese title, which translates to How Do You Live? is a philosophical question that resonates throughout the film’s narrative.
The film follows Mahito as he struggles to cope with the death of his mother. And in his process of overcoming his grief, he comes across the titular talking heron and discovers a world inhabited by magical talking birds and fluffy creatures known as the Sea World. With the help of the heron as his mentor and offering him guidance, Mahito goes on an adventure and faces challenges that mirror his own personal struggles as he learns about the important lessons in life, death, and interconnectedness of all things. The question How Do You Live? acts as the core message and makes the audiences think about what life is and what it is for. The exploration of the human psyche is one of the most striking elements in this film. Mahito’s journey represents the internal conflicts we all have to deal with during our lives when we are faced with the loss of a loved one, fear of the unknown, or the uncertainty of it all. The Sea World where he goes into could also be seen as a symbol for the subconscious where all our great fears and wants arise.
Visually, The Boy and the Heron is nothing less than a triumph. Miyazaki’s signature style of animation is in full bloom, with most beautiful landscapes bursting with color and detail at almost breathtaking levels that leaves me in awe and wonder. The level of attention to detail is palpable, from delicate natural world renderings to exquisitely expressive design of the majestic mythical creatures. Most memorable and my favorite, of course, are the animations of the Warawara spirits and the titular heron in all their fluffy and ethereal glory. Not only do these visual elements enhance the magical atmosphere of the film, but they also would seem to serve to deepen its thematic concern. This bright color and smooth animation breathe life into the vision of Miyazaki in a fantastic yet emotionally resonant world.
The Boy and the Heron may be a masterpiece in animation but it still has its share of narrative shortcomings despite the beauty of the film. Unlike Miyazaki’s earlier films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and Spirited Away which are light-hearted in nature, The Boy and the Heron sails deeper into the slightly darker emotional territory. The themes of loss, grief, and the complexity of human nature are some of the subjects it addresses, mostly subtly and discreetly.
This may also demand more patience and involvement on the part of some audiences. The pace of the film is unhurried, with many moments for reflection and pondering which almost made me fall asleep numerous times. Though this may be gratifying for viewers who enjoy a more reflective style of storytelling, at the same time it can irk those who prefer a faster story momentum.
Despite these minor criticisms, The Boy and the Heron remains a beautiful and contemplative film; its great existential question coupled with its stunning animation makes it well worth its Oscar. The success of this movie just goes to prove the fact that Miyazaki can still produce films that work on both the intellectual and emotional levels. Among a selection of the best candidates this year, including Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse which was actually my favorite to win the award and Neon’s Robot Dreams, Miyazaki’s film appeared to be in the viewfinder of the Academy and took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was highly applauded because of its animation technique and good storytelling, as was Robot Dreams with its peculiar narrative. The fact that The Boy and the Heron came out on top says much for its impact and timeless appeal of Miyazaki’s narration.
The Boy and the Heron is directed by Hayao Miyazaki and stars Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura, and Shōhei Hino in its original Japanese version. Luca Padovan, Robert Pattinson, Karen Fukuhara, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, and Mark Hamill star in the English dub. The Boy and the Heron is now streaming on Max.
