by As part of its ongoing efforts to expand its diverse collection of Japanese animated films, Netflix has announced the exclusive distribution of The Boy and the Heron, the Oscar and Golden Globe-winning masterpiece from Studio Ghibli.
Beginning October 7, 2024 the film will be available globally on the platform, excluding Japan and the United States.
The Boy and the Heron is a visually captivating and emotionally profound story set against the backdrop of wartime Japan.
The narrative follows Mahito, a young boy who, after losing his mother in a tragic fire, relocates from Tokyo to his family’s countryside home.
There, he is drawn into a mystical realm where life and death blur, guided by a mysterious talking heron and the enigmatic seven old women who inhabit the house, among other fascinating characters.
“Step through the door, where reality blurs and wonders begin!”
We find ourselves again, dear reader, at the gates of Miyazaki with some monumental facts about a truly iconic film. Curious about the movie that quietly gained momentum and became a beloved classic!?
So, shall we unlock the doors and unearth the curious, the wondrous, the colossal facts behind The Boy and the Heron?
Okay here we go:
Miyazaki Fails to Retire for the 4th Time
It’s his first feature film to release in more than 10 years after initially announcing his retirement for the 3rd time in 2013 after the release of the “The Wind Rises”.
However as per latest interview with Studio Ghibli VP Junichi Nishioka this will not be his last film as he’ll likely never step away from animation entirely, as previously he was associated in direction of Ghibli film Boro the Caterpillar(2018) during his last retirement.
The Movie Took Around Seven Years to Complete
The production of The Boy and the Heron spanned approximately seven years, with two and a half years dedicated to pre-production activities and about five years for the production phase. While his prior projects project took 3-4 years on average.
This extensive timeline showcases Studio Ghibli’s commitment to meticulous craftsmanship, ensuring that both the visual and emotional aspects of the film resonate deeply with audiences.
In December 2019, it was revealed that The Boy and the Heron was just 15% complete after three and a half years of laborious work, shedding light on the challenges faced by Hayao Miyazaki in his creative process.
Producer Toshio Suzuki noted that while Miyazaki once directed seven to ten minutes of animation per month, the schedule for this film had been set at five minutes per month; however, the maestro was now producing only about one minute monthly, illustrating the intricate balance between artistry and the relentless passage of time in the pursuit of cinematic perfection.
It’s Japan’s Most Expensive Animated Film Ever
The Boy and the Heron (Kimitachi wa Do Ikiru ka), directed by Hayao Miyazaki, had a reported production budget of around $53 million (¥7 billion), making it Studio Ghibli’s most expensive film to date.
This breaks the previous record held by The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu), Miyazaki’s 2013 film, which had a budget of approximately $30 million.
Previously, the record for the highest-budget anime film in Japan was held by The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013), with a production cost of $49.3 million (¥5 billion).
The increase in budget reflects both the rising costs of high-quality animation and the ambitious scope of The Boy and the Heron, which incorporates intricate art and storytelling.
Studio Ghibli’s dedication to hand-drawn animation has consistently set a high standard in the industry, and The Boy and the Heron continues that legacy, blending traditional techniques with modern sensibilities to create a visually stunning and deeply emotional narrative.
The Movie is Inspired by Yoshino Genzaburō’s 1937 Novel ‘How Do You Live?’
While The Boy and the Heron draws inspiration from the 1937 novel How Do You Live? (Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka) by Yoshino Genzaburō, the film is not a direct adaptation of the novel but rather uses it as a thematic foundation.
Miyazaki takes the core themes of the novel—self-reflection, personal growth, and the search for meaning in a complex world—and integrates them into his own unique narrative.
The semi-autobiographical aspects of the film, such as Mahito’s experience of loss and displacement during wartime, blend with the novel’s themes, resulting in a story that mirrors Miyazaki’s personal life and philosophies.
The Narrative is Semi-autobiographical, Reflecting Miyazaki’s Childhood
The main character, Mahito is a reflection of Miyazaki’s childhood. For example, both Mahito and Miyazaki’s father worked for companies that made fighter plane components.
The heron is based on Miyazaki himself. The heron starts out as an antagonist, but becomes a guide and ally to Mahito.
The Granduncle character is based on Miyazaki’s colleague & mentor, Isao Takahata, who died of lung cancer in 2018. The parakeets are menacing and absurd, and are the closest thing the island has to human civilization.
And also just like Mahito, the film’s protagonist, Miyazaki spent his childhood during World War II, experiencing the chaos, fear, and devastation that it brought.
Miyazaki, like Mahito, was evacuated from Tokyo to the countryside to escape the bombings.
Mahito’s grief over the loss of his mother echoes the loss that shaped much of Miyazaki’s early life. Though Miyazaki’s mother didn’t pass away when he was young, she was severely ill with tuberculosis for much of his childhood.
Throughout his career, Miyazaki has expressed a deep fascination with flight, influenced by his father, who worked in the aviation industry during the war.
In The Boy and the Heron, the mysterious talking heron represents this recurring theme of flight as a form of escape, transformation, and discovery.
It was Studio Ghibli’s first movie to release under such secrecy. No promotional trailers, images, or plot details were released before its premiere
The Boy and the Heron was shrouded in an unprecedented level of secrecy, marking a bold and unconventional move for Studio Ghibli.
In an era dominated by heavy marketing campaigns and pre-release teasers, the film stood apart by offering no promotional trailers, images, or plot details ahead of its premiere.
No trailer was produced for the Japanese audience, No announcements were made about the film’s plot, voice actors, or production team.
No pamphlet was produced for the film, which is a popular publication typically available at Japanese movie theaters.
Even after the release, Studio Ghibli discouraged the public from making any comments about the film’s contents on social media.
The only official promotion before the film’s release was a hand-drawn poster shared on Studio Ghibli’s Twitter account in December 2022.
This strategic decision created an air of mystery and intrigue, allowing the narrative and visual experience to unfold purely in the moment, free from expectations or preconceptions.
Joe Hisaishi Composed the Film’s Score Again
Hayao Miyazaki and Joe Hisaishi have shared a legendary partnership in animation spanning over four decades, collaborating on eleven projects to date.
Their first joint effort dates back to 1983, when Hisaishi composed an image album for Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, marking the start of a profound artistic journey.
This iconic collaboration continued through beloved classics like Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Porco Rosso (1992), and Princess Mononoke (1997).
Their work on Spirited Away (2001) garnered worldwide acclaim, further cementing their status as one of animation’s most dynamic director-composer duos.
Hisaishi’s scores are integral to the emotional impact of Miyazaki’s films, enhancing the fantastical worlds of Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo (2008), and The Wind Rises (2013).
The recent release, The Boy and the Heron (2023), marks their eleventh collaboration, making it yet another milestone in their shared history.
Often compared to the partnership between Steven Spielberg and John Williams, the collaboration between Miyazaki and Hisaishi is known for blending beautiful music with stunning visuals.
Their combined efforts have created unforgettable films and left a lasting impact on the world of animation.
Kenshi Yonezu Composed the Theme Music (Spinning Globe) for The Movie
Kenshi Yonezu is a multifaceted artist known for his unique blend of genres, emotional lyrics, and distinctive voice. His song “Kick Back,” written for Tatsuki Fujimoto‘s Chainsaw Man, has garnered him immense acclaim, particularly among anime fans, further solidifying his status as a popular icon in Japan and beyond.
Kenshi Yonezu is a big fan of Miyazaki. In a statement about “Spinning Globe,” he shared his lifelong admiration for Miyazaki’s works and noted how he consulted with him at Studio Ghibli’s headquarters while composing.
The spinning of the globe symbolizes how life keeps going, pulling individuals forward despite uncertainty. At its core, Spinning Globe reflects on the eternal cycle of life and death.
The “globe” metaphor points to the world’s continuous turning—an unending movement that parallels the way life evolves, even through hardship and sorrow.
In the context of The Boy and the Heron, where the protagonist Mahito grapples with the loss of his mother and embarks on a transformative journey, the song underscores the film’s central message: growth through adversity.
“The world keeps spinning, like it always has,
Carrying us, fragile and unsure,
But even through the cracks of time,
We find the light again.”
The Film Grossed Over $294 Million Worldwide
As of April 2024, The Boy and the Heron had grossed approximately $294.2 million globally, making it the fifth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. In Japan, the film had an impressive start, earning ¥1.8 billion (about $13.2 million) during its opening weekend.
It became Studio Ghibli’s highest-grossing debut, surpassing Howl’s Moving Castle. The film continued its success, eventually making over ¥8.98 billion (roughly $61 million) domestically.
Internationally, it also set records, particularly in the U.S. and Canada, where it became the first Miyazaki film to top the box office. It opened with $5.2 million and earned $12.8 million in its first weekend
As of 2024, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020) holds the title of the highest-grossing Japanese film worldwide, with over $507 million in revenue followed by Your Name (2016) with $400 million, Spirited Away(2001) with $ 396 million, Suzume (2022) grossing $304 million, and The Boy and the Heron (2023) reaching around $294 million.
The film’s reception was bolstered by its unique “no-promotion” marketing strategy, which generated significant social media buzz despite the lack of traditional advertising
The First Animated Film to Open the Toronto International Film Festival
In a groundbreaking moment for animation, The Boy and the Heron has made history as the first animated film to open the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival.
In Japan the movie was theatrically released on July 14, 2023, by Toho, and was screened in both traditional theaters and other premium formats such as IMAX a first for a Miyazaki film.
Upon the film’s release in Japan, the North American rights were acquired by distributor GKIDS, making it the widest film release in the company’s 15-year history.
The First Studio Ghibli Film to Receive the IMAX Treatment
The Boy and the Heron marks a significant milestone as the first Studio Ghibli film to be released in IMAX format. According to reports it was released in 44 IMAX screens setting a new record for Japanese films.
This innovative enhancement elevates the film’s breathtaking visuals and immersive storytelling, inviting audiences to experience Ghibli’s enchanting world like never before.
Miyazaki’s First Film with 5.1 Surround Sound Since Ponyo (2008)
In a bold twist, Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron broke new ground by introducing a 5.1 surround sound experience for the first time since Ponyo.
Known for his past skepticism toward intricate sound design—believing it pulled viewers away from the visual narrative—Miyazaki stepped into daring territory.
This shift transformed the viewing experience, immersing audiences in a world where every sound detail amplified the stunning animation, creating an electrifying synergy that heightened the emotional impact of the story.
Robert Pattinson Joins the Ranks of Batman Voices in Ghibli Films
With Robert Pattinson voicing the Heron in the English dub of The Boy and the Heron, he becomes the third Batman actor to lend his voice to a title role in a Studio Ghibli film, following in the footsteps of Michael Keaton in Porco Rosso and Christian Bale in Howl’s Moving Castle.
This intriguing lineage not only highlights the crossover appeal of Ghibli’s enchanting storytelling but also adds a layer of depth to Pattinson’s performance, allowing audiences to explore the complexities of the Heron through the lens of a celebrated icon of the superhero genre.
Beyond Robert Pattinson, the Movie Features an Impressive English Voice Cast Brimming with Top-tier Talent
The English voice cast of The Boy and the Heron includes several high-profile actors with numerous prestigious awards & nomination.
English cast has a total of 9 Academy Award Nominations & 8 Golden globe nominations between them.
This film features 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 Gray Heron, Florence Pugh as Kiriko.
This is Hayao Miyazaki’s Third PG-13 Rated Film: A New Chapter in Storytelling
The Boy and the Heron marks Hayao Miyazaki’s third venture into PG-13 territory, following the groundbreaking Princess Mononoke (1997) and the poignant The Wind Rises (2013).
This rating not only reflects Miyazaki’s ability to tackle complex themes with maturity but also signals a bold evolution in animated storytelling, inviting both young and mature audiences to engage with narratives that resonate deeply on multiple levels.
A Milestone Achievement: Sixth Non-Disney/DreamWorks Film to Win Best Animated Feature
The Boy and the Heron has made history as the sixth film not produced by Disney or DreamWorks to claim the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, following in the illustrious footsteps of Spirited Away (2001), Happy Feet (2006), Rango (2011), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022).
This remarkable achievement not only underscores the rising prominence of diverse voices in animation but also reaffirms the power of storytelling that transcends the boundaries of traditional animation studios, capturing the hearts of audiences and critics alike.
Hayao Miyazaki Becomes the Oldest Academy Award Winner for Best Animated Feature
At 83, Hayao Miyazaki etched his name in history as the oldest recipient of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for The Boy and the Heron, surpassing his own previous record set at 62 with Spirited Away (2001).
This extraordinary achievement not only highlights Miyazaki’s enduring genius but also serves as a powerful testament to the timelessness of his storytelling, reminding us that creativity knows no age and that the best tales resonate across generations.
A Surge in Popularity: “How Do You Live?” Sees Record Sales Post-Film Release
Following the release of The Boy and the Heron, sales of Yoshino Genzaburō’s novel How Do You Live? skyrocketed on flea market apps, creating a remarkable shortage of copies.
This overwhelming demand prompted publisher Iwanami Shoten to initiate a reprint, illustrating how Miyazaki’s film not only rekindled interest in literary classics but also showcased the profound impact of storytelling across different mediums, captivating new generations of readers.
