Home
The Boy and the Heron main backdrop
The Boy and the Heron main poster

The Boy and the Heron

Visit website

7.5/10 • 1.8K

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
Takeshi Seyama

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  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

View Reviews
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 backdrop
  • The Boy and the Heron backdrop
  • The Boy and the Heron backdrop
  • The Boy and the Heron backdrop
  • The Boy and the Heron backdrop
  • The Boy and the Heron backdrop
  • The Boy and the Heron backdrop
  • The Boy and the Heron backdrop
  • The Boy and the Heron backdrop

Recommendations

  • Perfect Days main backdrop

    Perfect Days

    7.8

  • The OctoGames main backdrop

    The OctoGames

    5.4

  • Poor Things main backdrop

    Poor Things

    7.7

  • Saltburn main backdrop

    Saltburn

    7.0

  • Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- main backdrop

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-

    6.5

  • The Painter main backdrop

    The Painter

    6.2

  • From Up on Poppy Hill main backdrop

    From Up on Poppy Hill

    7.5

  • Fallen Leaves main backdrop

    Fallen Leaves

    7.3

  • Past Lives main backdrop

    Past Lives

    7.8

  • Cobweb main backdrop

    Cobweb

    6.5

  • Enea main backdrop

    Enea

    6.3

  • Kidnapped main backdrop

    Kidnapped

    7.4

  • Hachiko main backdrop

    Hachiko

    7.8

  • Oppenheimer main backdrop

    Oppenheimer

    8.1

  • The Holdovers main backdrop

    The Holdovers

    7.7

  • The Wind Rises main backdrop

    The Wind Rises

    7.8

  • La Chimera main backdrop

    La Chimera

    7.4

  • The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes main backdrop

    The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

    7.1

  • HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle main backdrop

    HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle

    7.4

  • Sorcerer main backdrop

    Sorcerer

    7.4

Visit Facebook homepageVisit Instagram homepageVisit X homepage
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 autobiographicalmysteriousmoving to a cityanimehand drawn animationmagic worldanimationcourageabsurd