The Boy and the Heron

A boy grieving the loss of his mother and tackling the rapid changes around him is lured into a magical realm by a mysterious grey heron in what might be Hayao Miyazaki's final film

After his mother dies in a hospital fire during the World War 2 firebomb raids of Tokyo, the life of Mahito Maki goes through upheaval. Mahito and his father relocate to the countryside, where he meets his new stepmother for the first time; she is also his mother’s sister. Moments after meeting Mahito she tells him she is expecting a child, who will be his new brother or sister. And on top of everything, he has to start at a new school.

When his new stepmother goes missing on their mysterious estate, Mahito finds himself lured into a magical world by an even more mysterious grey heron – a bird known for telling lies who definitely should not be trusted.

Curator’s Note:

After announcing his retirement in 2013 following the release of The Wind Rises, Hayao Miyazaki quietly returned to developing The Boy and the Heron three years later. Considered one of Miyazaki’s most personal films, it is believed to mirror the director’s own relocation to the country during WW2, and the death of his mother, although she passed away much later in life.

Joe Hisaishi’s touching score captures the emotional complexity attached to this personal film. It is both melancholic and exciting in equal measure, befitting the film’s sadness for the past and hope for the future.

Following the film’s release in Japan, The Boy and the Heron made its international premiere at the 38th annual Toronto International Film Festival as the Opening Night film, becoming the first animated film to open the festival. The film went on to win the Best Animated Film award at the Academy Awards the following year.

– Reece Goodwin, Curator (Film & TV)