Hayao Miyazaki's Enigmatic Farewell: Unveiling the Captivating Story, Stellar Cast, & Surprising New English Title

Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, How Do You Live?, recently premiered in Japan and brought with it a surprising amount of information regarding its production and international release. Despite Studio Ghibli's initial decision to release the film without any marketing, the premiere has now allowed for the cast, staff, and story to be revealed. It has also been confirmed that the film will have an official English release under the title The Boy and the Heron, courtesy of G Kids. Although details about the movie remain scarce due to its recent premiere, this new information marks a significant departure from the previously secretive nature surrounding the film.

How Do You Live? Releases in English as The Boy and the Heron

With the official release of How Do You Live?, new information regarding its cast, staff, and plot has finally been made public. Making his anime debut, Soma Santoki voices the protagonist Mahito Maki, while Takuya Kimura, known for his role as Howl in Howl's Moving Castle, portrays Mahito's father. Masaki Suda gives voice to the grey heron, Aimyon, a popular Japanese artist, lends her voice to the character Himi, and Kou Shibasaki, Yoshino Kimura, and Jun Kunimura voice the characters Kiriko, Natsuko, and the Parakeet King respectively. Additional characters are voiced by Keiko Takeshita, Jun Fubuki, Sawako Agawa, Karen Takizawa, Shinobu Ōtake, Kaoru Kobayashi, and Shohei Hino. The film's music is composed by Joe Hisaishi, a regular collaborator with Studio Ghibli, and the theme song, titled "Globe," is performed by Kenshi Yonezu.

As for the plot, How Do You Live? revolves around Mahito Maki's life after the death of his mother during the Tokyo firebombings. Struggling with his grief, Mahito's family moves to the countryside, where his father remarries his pregnant maternal aunt. Amidst these changes, Mahito encounters a talking heron who offers him the chance to reunite with his mother in another world. Further details about the story have not been revealed at this time. However, it is important to note that How Do You Live? is not an adaptation of Genzaburo Yoshino's novel, but rather draws inspiration from similar themes.

Everything Known About The Boy and the Heron's English Release

In addition to providing staff and story details, new information has emerged regarding the English release of "How Do You Live?". The film, inspired by a relatively unknown novel, will be titled "The Boy and the Heron" for its English release. While an exact release date has yet to be confirmed, GKIDS has assured fans that it will premiere later this year. As we await further updates on the English release, it's exciting to have any information available, particularly about the plot. Sources: Anime News Network