Synopsis 'THE BOY AND THE HERON', Studio Ghibli Film About a Boy Entering an Alternative World Full of Wonders

Kapanlagi.com - Studio Ghibli has just released their latest filmTHE BOY AND THE HERON which is quite surprising and has invited fans' enthusiasm. This latest film is Hayao Miyazaki's first film after announcing his retirement in 2013. Apparently, this film is also Hayao Miyazaki's last work as he will decide to retire.

Hayao Miyazaki's other works in Studio Ghibli such asSPIRITED AWAY, PONYO, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, and many more. It is undeniable that Miyazaki always presents unique animation full of fantasy and surprises. THE BOY AND THE HERON has received high enthusiasm, even the tickets for its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival sold out in a short time.

So, what is the synopsis of the film THE BOY AND THE HERON? Let's find out below!

1. Synopsis of THE BOY AND THE HERON

Studio Ghibli

This film tells the story of a boy named Mahito Maki who has a bad relationship with his stepfather and stepmother. Mahito's mother died in a fire. Then, his father married Natsuko, the sister of his late mother. Mahito doesn't really like Natsuko because he feels that she is replacing his mother.

One day, on his way home from school, Mahito intentionally hits his head with a stone. While treating his wound in the plantation, he finds a copy of the novel 'How Do You Live?' with his mother's handwriting, intended as a gift for him when he grows up. 

Besides that, the heron that often bothers him finally shows that it can speak. The heron invites Mahito to a mysterious tower in the forest near his house, which was built by his great uncle. The heron says that Mahito must save his mother, who is still alive and inside the tower. 

At first, Mahito feels hesitant, but when he sees Natsuko, who is sick, entering the tower, he enters the tower to save her. Mahito found himself in a fantasy world full of magic.

There, Mahito met Kiriko, a sailor woman, Himi, a young woman with magical powers, and Natsuko, Mahito's great-uncle who ruled the world as a powerful wizard.

Mahito, Himi, and Bangau infiltrated the castle guarded by parrots, giant man-eating birds, and found Natsuko. Natsuko refused to go with them until Mahito called her his biological mother. Unfortunately, Himi was captured by the parrots while trying to escape.

Mahito then met his great-uncle. He showed Mahito the building blocks used to maintain the balance of the world. He explained that only someone with a blood connection and free from hatred could control the stone. However, Mahito refused, showing a scar on his head that he was not free from hatred.

Back in battle, the Parrot King attempted to seize power from his great-uncle by cutting the building blocks and destroying the stone, causing the alternate world to collapse.

While escaping, Mahito invited Himi to come to his world, but Himi refused. Finally, Mahito returned to the original world with Natsuko and Bangau and reunited with Shoichi, his father.

Additionally, this film was produced by creating the animation manually. Very unique, right? According to producer Toshio Suzuki, this film is also the most expensive film ever produced in Japan. Not only that, the screenplay for this film is largely taken from Miyazaki's own childhood.

So, don't miss out on watching THE BOY AND THE HERON!

2. Also watch the trailer!

(kpl/als)