The Boy and the Heron: Full English Voice Cast for Studio Ghibli's Film
Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron: An enchanting tale of friendship and wonder, featuring a stellar English dub cast Experience the magic of Studio Ghibli's latest masterpiece, adding to their renowned collection of cinematic gems
The Boy and the Heron, the latest addition to Studio Ghibli's impressive repertoire of films, marks the long-awaited return of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki after more than a decade. Released in Japan in July 2023, the movie was met with great acclaim and commercial success, leading to the confirmation of an English dub version scheduled for release in the West on December 8, 2023.
The anticipation for this project was already high, but it skyrocketed with the announcement of the cast for The Boy and the Heron's English dub. Featuring an array of well-known names, including some surprise appearances by major Hollywood actors, the fans are buzzing with excitement for this highly-anticipated production.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for The Boy and the Heron.
The Boy and the Heron cast for the English dub has some very popular actors involved
The anticipation surrounding Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron film in the West was already immense. This was attributed to the renowned reputation of the production house and the highly anticipated comeback of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki. Nevertheless, the inclusion of numerous A-list actors has elevated the excitement to new heights for many.
Christian Bale, renowned for his performances in films such as American Psycho, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Christopher's Batman trilogy, will portray the character Shoichi Maki in this film. It is noteworthy that this project marks his second venture into the realm of anime and his second collaboration with Studio Ghibli since appearing in Howl's Moving Castle back in 2004.
Joining the cast is Florence Pugh, widely recognized for her roles in Lady Macbeth, Black Widow, Little Women, Oppenheimer, and Don't Worry Darling. Pugh is set to lend her voice to the character of Kiriko in the upcoming dubbed version of the film.
Robert Pattinson, known for his roles in the Harry Potter and Twilight film series, will lend his voice to The Gray Heron in the upcoming film. Notably, this marks the first time Pattinson and Pugh are voicing characters in the anime industry.
Renowned actor Willem Dafoe, famous for his performances in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man and Robert Eggers' Lighthouse, will voice the Noble Pelican. This serves as his second venture into anime after voicing Cob in the 2006 film Tales from Earthsea, another Studio Ghibli production.
Mark Hamill, famous for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series, will be the voice of the character Granduncle. Additionally, he is the most experienced anime voice actor among the cast, having lent his voice to characters in IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix, Afro Samurai: Resurrection, Castle in the Sky, and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
Gemma Chan has been chosen to voice the character Natsuko, while Dave Bautista will provide his voice for The Parakeet King.
The premise and appeal of The Boy and the Heron
Inspired by Genzaburo Yoshino's 1937 novel, "How Do You Live?", The Boy and the Heron takes place in 1943 during the Pacific War. The story revolves around Mahito Maki, a young protagonist who tragically loses his mother in the war. As his father remarries and they relocate to the countryside, Mahito finds it increasingly difficult to adapt to his new surroundings.
The initial part of the movie delves into Mahito's profound sorrow over his mother's death and his struggle to forge meaningful connections in an unfamiliar place. Eventually, he stumbles upon a book that once belonged to his mother, revealing enigmatic messages within its pages.
He encounters the heron, who reveals that his mother is alive and in need of rescue. Through a growing bond with the heron, Mahito is transported to an alternate realm imbued with enchantment and illusions, where his mother is believed to reside. Naturally, he must overcome numerous obstacles and face daunting challenges in order to fulfill his mission. True to Studio Ghibli's style, the story is infused with heartfelt emotion and compelling sentiment, presenting a captivating tale of a boy's courageous quest to rescue his beloved mother.
Final thoughts
The Boy and the Heron exemplifies the beauty of animated films and pays homage to the illustrious career of MIyazaki. Undoubtedly, it is awe-inspiring to witness the involvement of numerous esteemed individuals in a project of such magnitude. Here's hoping that they do justice to the original material and effectively capture the essence of Mahito's captivating tale.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of Studio Ghibli, I am thrilled about the upcoming English dub release of The Boy and the Heron. The film's original Japanese release was met with critical acclaim, and I can't wait to experience the magic of this enchanting tale in my own language.
The English voice cast for The Boy and the Heron is truly impressive, featuring a stellar lineup of talented actors. Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe, Mark Hamill, Gemma Chan, and Dave Bautista are just a few of the big names attached to the project. I am confident that their performances will bring the characters to life and create a truly immersive experience for audiences.
