Picture: The Boy and the Heron, Studio Ghibli
Although the new movie by famous filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki didn't get any promotion at first, we can now finally see a trailer for the long-awaited work! Does "The Boy and the Heron" look like a masterpiece á la "Spirited Away" or "Princess Mononoke"?
For weeks now, the Ghibli film has been running in Japanese movie theaters, drawing crowds into the venues despite the non-existent marketing campaigns. The Boy and the Heron (original title: Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka) premiered on July 14, 2023, yet only single images from the film have been released by Studio Ghibli. There have been no advertisements in newspapers, magazines, movie theaters or anywhere else - and that applies to all countries! The tactic behind this? These days, according to the president of Studio Ghibli, so much marketing is put into all projects that the public's real curiosity is only piqued when it comes to a title that you can't really find any information about. Nevertheless, it seems that anime director and creator Hayao Miyazaki himself wasn't at all sure that this would really work. Now, however, we know: In the first few days alone, over a million visitors watched the film, and fans worldwide can hardly wait for their turn to see it. This makes it the most successful theatrical release of all of Miyazaki's films!
Are There Any News About The Release Date?
In the U.S. and Canada, the film is scheduled for release on December 8, 2023. That is already a good sign, but unfortunately there is still no release date for Europe or other countries.
But we still have a reason to be excited, because after over a month there finally is a trailer for the film! Since it is Hayao Miyazaki's very last film project, we are of course twice as excited about what is coming. The Japanese producer even came out of retirement for the film. Moreover, the plot and even the original title "How Do You Live?" contain quite a few biographical aspects of Miyazaki's life.
It's time to check out the long-awaited trailer here. Enjoy!
It's immediately obvious that this is a film from the house of Ghibli. Not only do the character design and the great landscapes immediately make you feel nostalgic. The hints about the plot and the beautiful soundtrack also give you goosebumps right from the start. If you've already read about the project, you already know that the boy Mahito will play the main role. And the gray heron mentioned in the film's title is also shown in the trailer.
