It was in 2013 when Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement from the production of feature films due to his age. Regarded as one of the most accomplished filmmakers in the history of animation, the founder of Studio Ghibli then worked on a short film titled Boro the Caterpillar in 2018. This made him revoke his decision and Miyazaki decided to work on The Boy and the Heron. The storyboarding for a new feature-length film began in July 2016 and the official production began in May 2017. Eight years later, The Boy and the Heron finally got its release date for Japan — 14 July 2023.
However, since then fans of Studio Ghibli films back in India waited with bated breath for the film to be released in the country. Much to their surprise, The Boy and the Heron finally has a release date and is arriving in theatres near you very soon. From its cast to the plot of the film, here is everything you need to know about the animated movie.
The Boy and the Heron release date: When and how can you watch the film?
Upon its release in Japan, The Boy and the Heron became the fifth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, even though no trailers, posters, synopsis, or casting details of the film were shared by Studio Ghibli in advance of its premiere except a single poster. It also won numerous accolades including a BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film, the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, and the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. According to the film’s producer Toshio Suzuki, The Boy and the Heron is the most expensive film ever produced in Japan.
The Boy and the Heron release date
The film will arrive in theatres in India on 10 May 2024. The Boy and the Heron will also soon arrive on Netflix as well. Previously, the film was also shown at the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival, the 2023 New York Film Festival, the 56th Sitges Film Festival and the 42nd Vancouver International Film Festival.
Meet the voice cast of the animated film
The character of Mahito Maki has been voiced by Soma Santoki and Luca Padovan (English version), The Grey Heron by Masaki Suda and Robert Pattinson (English version), Lady Himi by Aimyon and Karen Fukuhara (English version), Natsuko by Yoshino Kimura and Gemma Chan (English version), Shoichi Maki by Takuya Kimura and Christian Bale (English version), Granduncle by Shōhei Hino and Mark Hamill (English version), Kiriko by Ko Shibasaki and Florence Pugh (English version), Noble Pelican by Kaoru Kobayashi and Willem Dafoe (English version), The Parakeet King by Jun Kunimura and Dave Bautista (English version), Izumi by Keiko Takeshita and Denise Pickering (English version), Utako by Jun Fubuki and Barbara Rosenblat (English version), Eriko by Sawako Agawa and Melora Harte (English version), Aiko by Shinobu Otake and Barbara Goodson (English version), Warawara by Karen Takizawa and Leah Lewis (English version), and Parakeets (English version) by Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolori, Dan Stevens.
The plot of The Boy and the Heron
The story revolves around Mahito Maki, a young boy who loses his mother during the Pacific War in Tokyo. His father. Shoichi, then marries his late wife’s sister, Natsuko, and they move to her rural estate. Here, Mahito meets a strange-looking grey heron, leading him to a sealed tower. A brief interaction with the Heron takes Mahito on a magical journey into a dreamlike world shared by both the living and the dead.
Is this Hayao Miyazaki’s final film?
While many believe that the release date of The Boy and the Heron will also mark Miyazaki’s retirement from films, Studio Ghibli’s vice president Junichi Nishioka suggests that this is not happening anytime soon. In September 2023, he revealed that Miyazaki continued to attend the office daily to plan his next film and he can no longer be convinced to retire.
Have you watched the trailer of the movie yet?
Be ready to dive into the world of Studio Ghibli with the release of The Boy and the Heron. Check out the trailer here:
All Images: Courtesy IMDb
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Where can we watch The Boy and the Heron?
The film can be watched in theatres.
– Will The Boy and the Heron be on Netflix?
Yes, the film will soon arrive on Netflix.
– Is The Boy and the Heron on OTT?
No, the film is currently only in theatres.
– Is The Boy and the Heron released in India?
The release date for The Boy and the Heron in India is set to be 10 May 2024.
Ananya Swaroop
Digital Writer - Entertainment
Cinema has always fascinated Ananya, so much that she got a degree in media to know more about it. She has worked for magazines like Man's World India and CineBlitz as an entertainment writer. When not writing about films and celebrities, she likes to travel to new places or try new cuisines. Travel and Food are her latest interests and she is looking forward to explore these further.
