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The Boy and the Heron

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7.5/10 • 1.9K

2023-07-14 • 2h 4m

AnimationAdventureFantasyFamilyDrama

Where death comes to an end, life finds a new beginning.

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."

Directors
Hayao Miyazaki
Writters
Hayao Miyazaki
Editors
Rie Matsubara

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Soma Santoki

    Soma Santoki

    Mahito Maki (voice)

  2. Masaki Suda

    Masaki Suda

    Gray Heron (voice)

  3. Ko Shibasaki

    Ko Shibasaki

    Kiriko (voice)

  4. Aimyon

    Aimyon

    Lady Himi (voice)

  5. Yoshino Kimura

    Yoshino Kimura

    Natsuko (voice)

  6. Takuya Kimura

    Takuya Kimura

    Shoichi Maki (voice)

  7. Keiko Takeshita

    Keiko Takeshita

    Izumi (voice)

  8. Jun Fubuki

    Jun Fubuki

    Utako (voice)

  9. Sawako Agawa

    Sawako Agawa

    Eriko (voice)

Reviews3

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Manuel São Bento Avatar

Manuel São Bento

Oct 27, 2023

6/10

MORE SPOILER-FREE MINI-REVIEWS @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/mini-reviews-2023-edition THE BOY AND THE HERON is a visually captivating film that struggles to balance all of its storylines and themes. Technically, no faults. The visuals are nothing short of breathtaking, with each shot meticulously detailed and rich in storytelling. The animation is a true work of art, drawing viewers into a world of wonder and magic. The sound design and score complement the visuals beautifully, enhancing the overall viewing experience. And finally, the film retains the typical Ghibli humor that fans have come to love, sprinkling lighthearted moments throughout the narrative. However, Hayao Miyazaki succumbs to his ambition. The filmmaker tries to incorporate too many ideas, resulting in a somewhat confusing, messy narrative, particularly in the transitions between different characters, locations, and story arcs. THE BOY AND THE HERON stumbles in its attempt to juggle multiple ideas, but overall, it still manages to deliver a delightful, enchanting experience for fans of the studio's work. Rating: B-

Media

  • The Boy and the Heron poster
  • The Boy and the Heron poster
  • The Boy and the Heron poster
  • The Boy and the Heron poster
  • The Boy and the Heron poster
  • The Boy and the Heron poster
  • The Boy and the Heron poster
  • The Boy and the Heron poster
  • The Boy and the Heron poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
Japanese
Budget
$50,000,000.00
Revenue
$294,200,000.00
Keywords
loss of loved oneworld war iieducationcoming of agespiritualitypovertyteenage boytroubled childhoodsemi autobiographicalmoving to a cityanimehand drawn animationmagic worldanimationcourageabsurd