The Boy and the Heron: Unveiling the Release Date, Exclusive Trailer, and All Revealed Information

Hayao Miyazaki makes a triumphant return to the silver screen with his latest project, The Boy and the Heron. Brace yourselves for everything you need to know about this much-anticipated masterpiece from the iconic filmmaker.

Following his stints at Toei Animation and A-Pro, Miyazaki took the helm and directed his inaugural full-length film, The Castle of Cagliostro, in 1979. This remarkable achievement paved the way for the establishment of Studio Ghibli, a studio that would forever change the landscape of animation.

Miyazaki, under his newly established studio, directed a series of unforgettable movies and gained recognition as one of the greatest animators in history. Spirited Away surpassed all previous records and became the highest-grossing film in Japan, earning an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Howl's Moving Castle and the Wind Rises also received nominations. Miyazaki announced his retirement from filmmaking in 2013, but returned for the 12th time with The Boy and the Heron.

When is the release date?

The release dates for The Boy and The Heron varied across different countries. It premiered in Japan on July 14, followed by its release in the US on December 8 and the UK on December 26. However, prior to its official release, the film was screened at the London Film Festival in October.

Ghibli's most recent film arrives at an opportune moment, just preceding the Academy Awards in March. The year 2023 boasted a line-up of exceptional animated films, including powerhouses like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Super Mario Bros. However, the highly esteemed artist is bound to create ripples with their endeavor.

The Boy and The Heron cast

The Japanese voice cast for the movie is as follows:

Soma Santoki as Mahito Maki

Masaki Suda as The Grey Heron

Karen Takizawa as Mother #4

Takuya Kimura as Shoichi Maki

Aimyon as Himi

Shohei Hino as Great-Uncle

Jun Kunimura as The Parakeet King

Kaoru Kobayashi as Dying Pelican

Yoshino Kimura as Natsuko

Ko Shibasaki as Kiriko

Shinobu Otake as Mother #5

Jun Fubuki as Mother #2

Keiko Takeshita as Mother #1

Sawako Agawa as Mother #3

As for the English dub, the voice cast includes but is not limited to:

Christian Bale as Shoichi Maki

Dave Bautista as The Parakeet King

Gemma Chan as Natsuko

Willem Dafoe as Noble Pelican

Karen Fukuhara as Lady Himi

Mark Hamill as Granduncle

Robert Pattinson as The Grey Heron

Florence Pugh as Kiriko

Luca Padovan as Mahito Maki

Mamoudou Athie as Parakeet

Tony Revolori as Parakeet

Dan Stevens as Parakeet

The Boy and The Heron trailer

On September 6, GKIDS Films revealed the first trailer.

The film’s English dubbed trailer was released on November 2. Catch it in full below:

What is The Boy and the Heron about?

Miyazaki’s film depicted on GKIDS official website centers around a young boy named Mahito who longs for his mother. This story unfolds in a realm that blurs the boundaries between the living and the dead. It is in this peculiar world where death relinquishes its power and life embarks on a fresh journey of existence.

The Boy and the Heron is a semi-autobiographical fantasy film that pays tribute to friendship while exploring themes of life, death, and creation. For more information, be sure to explore our upcoming movie coverage.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, I am thrilled about the upcoming release of The Boy and the Heron. The trailer, which was recently released, offers a glimpse into the magical world that Miyazaki has created for this film. The animation is stunning, and the characters are intriguing. I can't wait to see the full movie and experience the story that Miyazaki has crafted.

The voice cast for both the Japanese and English versions of the film is impressive, and I am confident that they will bring the characters to life in a memorable way. Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, and Gemma Chan are just a few of the talented actors who will be lending their voices to the English dub. I am particularly excited to hear Robert Pattinson's take on the character of The Grey Heron.