Studio Ghibli, the powerhouse behind some of the most iconic animated films, has just dropped the first trailer for its latest creation, “The Boy and The Heron.”
The film is set to make its U.S. and Canada debut on December 8, 2023, following special previews starting from November 22.
Studio Ghibli has always been a trendsetter, but their latest move is nothing short of revolutionary. The studio decided to release their film, “How Do You Live (aka The Boy and The Heron),” without any trailers or conventional promotional marketing, a bold move that diverged from the typical Hollywood-style promotion.
This decision was not just a strategy but a bold artistic choice, aiming to build anticipation naturally among their dedicated fan base.
The film “How Do You Live” took about seven years to complete and became the most expensive film in Japanese cinema history, breaking previous records. The film earned approximately $430 million in revenue in its first month since its release in Japan.
What Is The Boy and The Heron About?
Set against the backdrop of World War II-era England, “How Do You Live?” centers on a young lad named Mahito. Following the tragic loss of his mother in a blaze, Mahito relocates to a rural area with his dad and new stepmom.
Once there, he stumbles upon an enigmatic tower that serves as a gateway to a fantastical universe. In this otherworldly place, Mahito meets both allies and adversaries as he embarks on a quest to understand himself better.
The Boy And the Heron U.S. Release Date
“The Boy and The Heron,” the latest masterpiece from the iconic animation studio, is slated to make its grand entrance on December 8, 2023, in the U.S. nationwide and in IMAX theatres. But if you can’t wait that long, special previews will be available starting from November 22.
The film will have multiple options as fan can choose to either watch it in Japanese with English Subtitles or watch it in English dubbing.
According to the GKID’s official page of the film, the story is hand-drawn: “Hayao Miyazaki’s first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award®-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film “Spinning Globe” was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.”
