The Boy and the Heron
The brief
Miyazaki returns from retirement with his most personal and melancholic work yet, a sprawling meditation on grief that unfolds like a fever dream through wartime Japan. The animation is absolutely gorgeous, but this moves at a deliberate, contemplative pace that might test viewers expecting the propulsive energy of Spirited Away. The magical realism feels heavier here, weighted down by loss and memory, as a grieving boy navigates a world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur completely. Perfect for Studio Ghibli devotees and anyone who connected with the introspective mood of The Wind Rises, but casual animation fans might find it slow and enigmatic.
The verdict
If you're a Studio Ghibli devotee who appreciates slow-burn, contemplative storytelling and can embrace deliberately paced magical realism, this is Miyazaki's most personal and visually stunning meditation on grief and loss. If you're expecting the accessible adventure and forward momentum of Spirited Away or prefer your animation light and energetic, you'll likely find this enigmatic and frustratingly slow at over two hours.
Watch with
- 👤 Perfect for solo viewing or with fellow animation lovers
- ⚠️ May be too slow-paced for casual viewers expecting typical Ghibli energy
Heads up
- Mother's death from illness (brief references) (brief)
- Wartime setting with some tense moments (moderate)
- Themes of grief and loss throughout (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Cast
- Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Ko Shibasaki, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura, Keiko Takeshita
Official synopsis
While the Second World War rages, the teenage Mahito, haunted by his mother's tragic death, is relocated from
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Both Studio Ghibli films explore adolescent growth through magical realism.
Total runtime: 2h 4m + 1h 51m = 3h 55m
