"The Boy and the Heron." Why you should see this cartoon

Why it's worth watching

"The Boy and the Heron" (Japanese title "How Do You Live?") is Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated film, the culmination of his long career.

This film combines the personal memories and fantastical elements that characterise Miyazaki's work, offering viewers a profound reflection on his life and legacy.

"The Boy and the Bird" has been dubbed by many as the great artist's testament, and unlike the master's previous works aimed at a wide audience, the animated film proved to be a complex and multi-layered authorial statement in which it is easy for viewers expecting a classic fairy tale to get lost.

Thefilm is based on Miyazaki's personal memoirs and historical events. The main character, Mahito, loses his mother in a fire in Tokyo during World War II, echoing the real-life biography of Miyazaki, whose family also endured the hardships of war. Mahito moves to a village where he finds a mysterious tower and meets a talking heron, which opens up a world of fantasy and memories(Roger Ebert) .

The themes of ecology, friendship, cultural and historical aspects that have always been important to Miyazaki are once again reflected in this film. Similar motifs can be found in films such as My Neighbour Totoro and Princess Mononoke, where the characters strive for harmony with the world around them.

Mahito faces issues of loss, legacy and growing up, making his story deeply emotional and multi-layered.

Miyazaki uses the image of the heron as a symbol of change and uncertainty, echoing his past work where nature and magic have always played a key role (The Independent).

"The Boy and the Heron" demonstrates the outstanding visual mastery that Studio Ghibli is known for. Each frame is filled with painterly details that create a deep atmosphere and allow the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the world of the animated film. This style is recognisable and beloved by generations of viewers, dating back to Miyazaki's first films.

The opening scene of the film is particularly impressive in its visual and sound design, creating an atmosphere of magic and mystery. Composer Joe Hisaishi once again collaborates with Miyazaki, creating an unforgettable musical score that enhances the emotional impact of the film.

The Boy and the Heron is a film that forces Miyazaki to consider his future, as he reflects on the legacy and influence of man, and how he might live on after he is gone.

All of these questions are asked through the young Mahito. Perhaps no one on Earth believes in the possibilities of children more than Miyazaki, and remarkably, the older the director gets, the more acutely he realises their limitless possibilities. In the brief episode where Mahito goes to school, Miyazaki conveys that unique childhood anxiety of moving to a new place, and how frightening a place like school can be. But these fears don't cause Mahito to give up on life - on the contrary, over the course of the film he becomes increasingly optimistic about the world and making it a better place. This, by the way, is one of the main themes of Miyazaki's work and the film "The Boy and the Heron" itself.

"The Boy and the Heron" summarises Hayao Miyazaki's long career, bringing together all the key elements of his work. This film can be seen as a kind of "farewell tour" in which Miyazaki once again reminds us of the importance of kindness, compassion and harmony with the world around us.

It is a magnificent end to a great master's career that leaves an unforgettable mark in the hearts of the audience, showing that even in his old age, Miyazaki is capable of creating masterpieces.