Hayao Miyazaki is back again, this time with Studio Ghibli’s latest film The Boy and the Heron.

Set against the backdrop of Japan during World War II, the film begins with the tragic death of the main character – Mahito Maki’s mother in the war. After the loss of his mother, Mahito’s father decides to move into the countryside, where the two of them start a new life with the father’s new wife, Natsuko.

Upon arriving at their new home, Mahito discovers an extraordinary heron that not only follows him around but has the ability to speak. This magical occurrence signifies a crucial change which leads the new family to face unexpected challenges, with the heron becoming a key element in overcoming these obstacles, leading to a fantastical adventure.

Just at the start, the film effectively portrays the tragic death of Mahito’s mother in an American air raid that manages to evoke a strong feeling towards viewers. While not relying on the grand scale that you’d normally see in war films, the scenes skillfully conveys the brutal and poignant atmosphere of war through Mahito’s eyes. The loss of his biological mother becomes a key aspect in Mahito’s character development, adding a sense of depth to his personal history.

Natsuko, the new stepmother breaks free from the stereotypical evil stepmother archetype, and plays with an interesting character dynamic with her new found family members. Natsuko, who is normally adorned in elegant and traditional attire, exhibits a positive image of a kind-hearted woman from her interactions with Mahito. The show manages to depict a realistic and gradual mother-son relationship, allowing for a nuanced and believable process of Mahito’s acceptance of his new mother.

The Boy and the Heron also introduces various distinctive characters in this new family that extends beyond Natsuko to include seven elderly caretakers. Much like with the stepmother, these caretakes twists the stereotypical portrayal of the wise and stern character type, and instead adopting a more whimsical and mischievous personality. All of the caretakers have their own unique traits, such as large noses and ears that adds a sense of comedic touch. That adding their specific number totaling of seven, is a playful reference to the seven dwarfs from Snow White and adds a sense of fun into the supporting cast.

The heron and the mysterious tower that had been erected from a meteorite adds to the fantasy elements of the film. The heron residing near Mahito’s new home becomes a crucial key to the storyline. The constant development of the heron’s character from showcasing its beauty and the ability to speak adds a sense of a magical touch.

The flim’s fantasy elements also extend to the architectural aspect, particularly about the previously mentioned towering structure. Despite looking like a dilapidated ruin, it still manages to create an unusual atmosphere during Mahito’s exploration. The tower’s mysterious origin, coupled with different narrative version enhances the mystique, and it being connected to Mahito’s family background adds a sense of journey to the film.

Every journey has its reasons, and for Mahito, he embarks on a magical adventure to find his suddenly missing stepmother. The willingness of Mahito risking his life to embark on a dangerous journey is the result of the deepened bonds that Mahito and his stepmother had developed through the film, adding an aspect of adventure and also focuses on emotional element of a parent-child relationship.

Mahito’s adventure involves him forming connections with other characters, such as Kiriko and Himi. Kirito’s distinctive adventurous persona provides a sense of security for Mahito in the face of the unknown. Meanwhile, Himi who possesses magical abilities and her role in guiding Mahito reflects the mystical elements present in the film.

The Boy and the Heron’s diverse cast of characters and environmental setting creates a visual feast, highlighting of sense of unfamiliarity in daily life, as the introduction of new elements consistently propels the story forward, allowing for different types of elements to showcase their value in varying degrees.

Verdict

The Boy and the Heron incorporates elements of fantasy seamlessly along with the warm message of a mother-son relationship. The film successfully balances visual appeal with emotional depth, resulting in a fulfilling conclusion.

The mix of fantasy and emotional warmth solidifies this film as another gem in the list of Hayao Miyazaki’s works.

Early screening provided by Encorefilmsmal. The Boy and the Heron will be available in Malaysian theaters on 14th December 2023.