Miyazaki's Final Masterpiece: Unveiling the Enchanting Tale of 'The Boy and the Heron' with Long-Awaited English Release Date!

The long-awaited trailer for Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron has finally been unveiled, providing eager fans with a glimpse of what to expect from the mysterious film. Studio Ghibli's lack of promotional material has kept the movie's contents shrouded in secrecy, making this trailer and the announcement of its English release date on December 8th all the more exciting.

The Boy and the Heron Releases on December 8th in English

GKIDS Films, an American film distributor, has unveiled a new trailer for The Boy and the Heron on their YouTube channel. The trailer takes viewers on an extraordinary journey with the film's protagonist, Mahito, as he copes with the loss of a loved one. Drawing inspiration from beloved Studio Ghibli movies like Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle, the film adopts the distinctive art and animation style that fans have come to adore. This style is the brainchild of Hayao Miyazaki, a renowned filmmaker who has dominated the entertainment industry with his unique vision. Presumably his final project since his comeback from retirement following the release of the 2013 historical drama The Wind Rises.

The Boy and the Heron revolves around a young man named Mahito whose mother died during World War II. As he is grieving, a heron informs him that his mother is in fact not dead. The heron leads Mahito to an abandoned tower and there he enters another world. "Where death comes to and end. Life finds a new beginning". The trailer alludes to the fact that the movie revolves around the world of the dead. A dark-haired woman is also shown, although it's not certain if that is the spirit of Mahito's deceased mother.

The Boy and the Heron will have a special preview at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7. It will also screen all around the world like London and New York. It will then be released in American and Canadian cinemas on December 8. The movie, despite having no marketing, has done exceptionally well in the Japanese box office, garnering approximately $53M. Studio Ghibli also has a huge international audience, with Spirited Away being the only non-English movie to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Hayao Miyazaki has expressed that this movie holds a personal connection to him, as it's dedicated to his grandson. There are already numerous positive reviews of the movie which increases the anticipation even more ahead of the international release. The Boy and the Heron might be Miyazaki's last Studio Ghibli movie, but it's also promising to be one of his best.

The Boy and the Heron centers around Mahito, a young man grieving the loss of his mother during World War II. Unexpectedly, a heron reveals that his mother is still alive, leading Mahito to an abandoned tower where a different world awaits, one where death concludes and new beginnings arise. The movie's trailer hints at its exploration of the realm of the deceased, featuring a mysterious dark-haired woman whose connection to Mahito's late mother is uncertain.

The Boy and the Heron will have an exclusive preview at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, before being screened in various locations worldwide such as London and New York. The film is set to hit American and Canadian cinemas on December 8. Despite lacking a significant marketing campaign, it has achieved remarkable success in the Japanese box office, grossing approximately $53M. Studio Ghibli boasts an extensive international following, with Spirited Away being the only non-English film to have won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Hayao Miyazaki, the renowned filmmaker, holds a personal attachment to this movie as it is dedicated to his grandson. With numerous positive reviews already circulating, anticipation for the international release continues to grow. The Boy and the Heron may potentially be Miyazaki's final contribution to Studio Ghibli, yet it also promises to be one of his finest creations.

The Boy and the Heron releases in English on December 8th!

Source: Website of GKIDS Films, YouTube channel of GKIDS Films.