The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Hayao Miyazaki's luminous, Oscar-winning return — a profound journey through grief, memory, and the strange beauty of worlds beyond our own.
The Boy and the Heron - Movie Information
- Original Title: 君たちはどう生きるか
- Release Year: 2023
- Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama, Family
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 2h 4m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 14, 2023 (Japan - G), December 8, 2023 (United States - PG-13), December 8, 2023 (Canada), December 26, 2023 (United Kingdom - 12A), January 4, 2024 (Germany - 12), November 1, 2023 (France - TP), May 10, 2024 (India - UA), December 7, 2023 (New Zealand), December 7, 2023 (Australia - PG), February 22, 2024 (Brazil - 10), January 11, 2024 (Mexico - B), January 1, 2024 (Italy), October 27, 2023 (Spain - 12), October 25, 2023 (South Korea - ALL), April 3, 2024 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Kimitachi wa dō ikiru ka (JP), 你想活出怎樣的人生 (TW), Oğlan və Vağ Quşu (AZ), 그대들, 어떻게 살 것인가 (KR), پسر و حواصیل (IR), How Do You Live? (US), O Rapaz e a Garça (PT), Як ти живеш? (UA)
- Production Companies: Studio Ghibli
- Production Countries: Japan
The Boy and the Heron - Plot
While the Second World War rages, the teenage Mahito, haunted by his mother's tragic death, is relocated from Tokyo to the serene rural home of his new stepmother Natsuko, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to the boy's mother. As he tries to adjust, this strange new world grows even stranger following the appearance of a persistent gray heron, who perplexes and bedevils Mahito, dubbing him the "long-awaited one."
The Boy and the Heron - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and step into Miyazaki's breathtaking world:
Where death comes to an end, life finds a new beginning.
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The Boy and the Heron - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hayao Miyazaki
Main Cast
- Soma Santoki
- Masaki Suda
- Ko Shibasaki
- Aimyon
- Yoshino Kimura
- Takuya Kimura
- Keiko Takeshita
- Jun Fubuki
- Sawako Agawa
- Karen Takizawa
Writers
- Hayao Miyazaki
Producers
- Toshio Suzuki
The Boy and the Heron - FAQs
What is the ending of The Boy and the Heron explained?
At the film's conclusion, Mahito refuses to inherit the crumbling magical tower world from his granduncle, choosing instead to return to reality and carry his grief forward. The ending suggests that accepting loss and imperfection is more meaningful than retreating into a constructed paradise — a deeply personal message from Miyazaki.
Is The Boy and the Heron based on a true story?
The film draws heavily from Miyazaki's own childhood experiences during World War II, including the loss of a parent figure and relocation to the countryside. It is also loosely inspired by Genzaburo Yoshino's 1937 novel of the same name, though the plot diverges significantly into surreal, fantastical territory.
Where can you stream The Boy and the Heron?
The Boy and the Heron is available to stream on Max (HBO Max). It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Spectrum On Demand also offers it as a rental option.
Did The Boy and the Heron win any awards?
Yes. The Boy and the Heron won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Oscars, making it Miyazaki's second Oscar win after Spirited Away. It also won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Film and received widespread critical acclaim worldwide.
Who are the main voice actors in The Boy and the Heron?
The Japanese voice cast features Soma Santoki as the protagonist Mahito, Masaki Suda as the Gray Heron, Takuya Kimura as Mahito's father Shoichi, Aimyon as Lady Himi, Ko Shibasaki as Kiriko, and Yoshino Kimura as Natsuko. Jun Kunimura voices the Parakeet King.
What age rating is The Boy and the Heron?
The Boy and the Heron is rated PG-13 in the United States. The film contains some intense and emotionally heavy sequences, including depictions of wartime loss and surreal, occasionally frightening imagery, which may not be suitable for very young children.
How long is The Boy and the Heron?
The Boy and the Heron has a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes (124 minutes). It is one of Miyazaki's longer films and takes its time building atmosphere and emotional depth before fully immersing viewers in its fantastical second half.
Is The Boy and the Heron Miyazaki's final film?
The Boy and the Heron was widely anticipated as Miyazaki's final film following his 2013 retirement announcement, but the director has since indicated he is working on another project. Whether it represents his true farewell remains uncertain, though many critics read it as a deeply personal artistic testament.
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