As a long-time admirer of Studio Ghibli and a father who has shared these magical tales with my daughter, I can confidently say that “The Boy and The Heron” has left an indelible mark on our hearts. Having lost neither parent myself, I found myself drawn into the raw emotions experienced by Mahito as he grappled with his grief.
caution: This article includes significant plot revelations about the Studio Ghibli film titled “The Boy and the Heron”. If you haven’t seen it yet, kindly come back after watching. Enjoy your viewing!
From the moment I learned about “The Boy and the Heron” several years back, I felt certain it would join the ranks of timeless Studio Ghibli productions. Despite its release, critical acclaim, and recognition as one of the top 2023 animated films, unforeseen circumstances prevented me from catching Hayao Miyazaki’s latest masterpiece on the big screen.
Months later, I obtained a copy of the critically acclaimed animated film that won an Academy Award. I was eager to see what I thought would be an emotional tale about a boy venturing into a magical realm after his mother’s passing. To my surprise, it turned out to be a captivating and life-altering journey filled with stunning animation, heartfelt performances by its talented cast, and a profound story that explored themes of loss, grief, and renewal.
After spending some time pondering, I simply can’t keep quiet about my thoughts on the masterful handling of major themes in “The Boy and the Heron”. As a gamer, here’s what struck me…
Like A Lot Of Hayao Miyazaki’s Movies, The Boy And The Heron Uses Grief As A Motivation
Many masterpieces created by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki delve into themes of loss, mortality, and sorrow in unique ways, and “The Boy and the Heron” follows suit. Intriguingly, mourning is not just a central theme in this film, but it also fuels the actions and motivations of several characters throughout the storyline.
Before we understand the plot of the film, the situation unfolds similarly to young Mahito Maki (Luca Padovan), waking up to find that the hospital treating his mother was bombed during World War II, causing her death in a devastating fire. This tragic event initiates Mahito’s heroic journey and sets off a chain of significant changes in his life. Although it is heart-wrenching and earth-shattering, the loss of his mother sparks Mahito’s transformation, leading him to make questionable yet relatable choices at first but ultimately culminating in remarkable achievements.
It’s Both Heartbreaking And Endearing Watching Mahito Dealing With The Loss Of His Mother
In this movie, it seems like we’re walking side by side with Mahito as he navigates the different stages of grief following his mother’s passing, accepting his father’s remarriage, and eventually stepping into a strange and fantastical realm accompanied by the Gray Heron, portrayed by Robert Pattinson. Studio Ghibli masterfully depicts Mahito’s voyage, showcasing Miyazaki’s exceptional talent for creating emotionally deep and layered narratives.
Mahito’s voyage, filled with enigmatic and challenging creatures and landscapes, captivates us in an unusual way. It’s not just the exotic settings or bizarre beings he encounters; it’s the emotional rollercoaster his narrative takes us on. His tale is both heart-wrenching and endearing as we witness a young boy grappling with grief and loss, navigating a world without his mother. In desperation, he resorts to harsh actions, such as hurting himself after a conflict with another student. Despite not always comprehending his reasons, it’s hard not to empathize with his struggles.
Fortunately, I didn’t have the heartache of losing a parent during my childhood years, but I can only imagine how it must have felt: like an entire world crumbling beneath your feet, leaving you lost and yearning for something familiar amidst the ruins.
Like Granduncle’s Stack Of Blocks, The Boy And The Heron Is About Balancing Instability
One character from the anime film “The Boy and the Heron” that I’m still struggling to comprehend is Granduncle, played by Mark Hamill, who is Mahito’s ancestor and the creator of a magical alternate reality, as well as its long-term caretaker. In the movie, Granduncle seeks an heir to preserve this fantastical world by delicately balancing a precarious stack of small stones, which would cause the realm to collapse if they were to fall.
Despite not yet grasping all aspects of the character and his tale, I find myself pondering over how the story of “The Boy and the Heron” explores the delicate act of maintaining equilibrium amidst turmoil, and the extraordinary measures one might take in pursuit of that harmony. Mahito seeks solace from his sorrow, whether through diversion or transformation, while the Heron, unveiled as Birdman, strives for balance during flight after being hit by Mahito’s arrow. I’m confident there will be many more instances illustrating this theme as I delve deeper into the narrative.
Mahito Maki’s Transformation From A Scared Boy Full Of Animosity To One Willing To Accept Fate Is Profound
By the end of “The Boy and the Heron”, Mahito undergoes a remarkable change. The timid boy brimming with anger and ill will at the outset transforms into someone who embraces both his destiny and that of his deceased mother. A scene that stands out for me is when Mahito declines Granduncle’s proposition to construct a superior fantasy realm using new blocks, acknowledging his own malice by revealing the wound he inflicted upon himself earlier in the film.
In essence, the character Mahito navigates the five stages of grief throughout the story, using the extraordinary occurrences and incidents from the imaginative universe as substitutes for each stage. The journey leaves a deep and transformative impact on him, an aspect that resonated strongly with critics prior to the film’s premiere.
Himi’s Decision To Go Back To Her Time, Knowing Her Fate, Is Incredibly Powerful
In “The Boy and the Heron”, Mahito journeys through an otherworldly landscape alongside Himi (Karen Fukuhara), who is eventually unveiled as his mother. Before they part ways and Mahito returns to his realm, he forewarns his mother that she will meet her end in the hospital explosion depicted at the start. Remarkably, even with this knowledge of her impending demise, Himi makes an immediate return to her former life without a second thought.
In this profoundly moving scene, much like numerous Studio Ghibli movies, I shared the experience with my daughter. What made it even more poignant was Himi’s decision to live knowing that her own life would be filled with unbearable pain, yet she found hope in the promise of giving birth to Mahito one day.
In summary, watching “The Boy and the Heron” was simply remarkable and left a lasting impression on me. Though I’m uncertain about when the next Studio Ghibli movie will be released, there are some exciting films scheduled for 2024 that I can look forward to in the meantime.
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2024-08-06 12:07