The SYMBOLISM, MEANING, and BEAUTY of The Boy and The Heron Explained | Non-Spoiler Video Essay
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- čas přidán 20. 06. 2024
- In this Studio Ghibli The Boy and The Heron video essay and The Boy and The Heron analysis, I take a deep dive into the new Boy and The Heron movie, starring Luca Padovan, Robert Pattinson, Soma Santoki, and Masaki Suda. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the film is a perfect blend of anime, animation, adventure, and drama, exploring themes of life, morality, and art. I believe this movie is an excellent final film for Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki through great writing, voice acting, directing and filmmaking.
Furthermore, in this The Boy & The Heron explained video (spoiler-free) and Lucas Blue The Boy and The Heron review, I'll delve into the film's symbolism and hidden meanings, uncovering The Boy and The Heron easter eggs, examining how it explores the balance of life and death, and good and evil.
This Boy and The Heron review breaks down why The Boy and The Heron is perfect, what The Boy and The Heron means for the future of Japanese films, anime, and animated movies, why The Boy and The Heron works, and what makes The Boy and The Heron so shocking. This is why I love The Boy and The Heron. Hope you enjoy!
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Luca Padovan - Robert Pattinson - Christian Bale - Gemma Chan - Mark Hamill - Karen Fukuhara - Florence Pugh - Willem Dafoe - Dave Bautista
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro & Agenda
00:59 The Inspiration
04:05 The Symbolism
07:20 The Message - Zábava
Another favorite film of the year, and my first anime video! What are your thoughts on the film, or do you plan to see it? Let me know below!
My nine year old said that Miyazaki tells better stories than Disney. She said that Disney is too predictable and boring. She found Boy and the Heron too complex at times but compelling for something different.
Excellent, thank you so much!
I loved the movie
Where did you get the clips you used for this video? Many of them I don't remember being in any trailer I saw.
@@julianneb2941😢😊😊 7:33 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊_😢😂😊😂
A funny story- So my mom is japanese and my siblings and i took her to see this movie bc we all love Ghibli films. I asked my brother before it starts if its subtitles or dubbed, he says subtitles, and my sister goes “oh no mom didn’t bring her glasses! she’s not gonna be able to read!” COMPLETELY forgetting that OUR mother is fluent in japanese 😭😭😭😂😂
Did she like the movie?
lmao
I was the person who happened to say, "OH NO, it's dubbed..." right as it got to a quiet part in the opening 😂
Were the English subtitles any good? The French ones were confusing at times and downright robotics at others and I felt like a lot was lost in translation. I was wondering if the English subtitles were any better to go and rewatch the film since I am pretty fluent in English but my Japanese is non-existent.
@@marie-franceFortin The English subtitles were serviceable (told you what you needed to know), but often were not exactly accurate to what the character actually said in Japanese. I'm not mad, though.
If you watch the documentary on Miyazaki Never Ending Man, he talks about how one of his great sadnesses is that, as perfectionist control freak, he never made Studio Ghibli into something that could function without him and carry his legacy without him, the way that, say, Disney did.
You see this with the old man, looking for a successor and finding none, and then finally seeing all that he built collapse around him.
I think the fantasy world in this movie actually represents Miyazaki's life's work, the fantastic realm of creativity that draws from the real world but transforms everything it touches, and sends inspiration back out to the real world. And this is a movie about all of that ending. It's him saying goodbye.
This is a brilliant. Whole-heartedly agree
Ngl, this movie confused the hell out of me and my brother (just got home from seeing it); I immediately started searching online for an explanation, and your comment makes the most sense to me lol
Well said! 👏🏼
This is the exact same conclusion I came to after walking out of the theater. It's a real swan song that I keep finding myself thinking about day after day.
I love that documentary. Very sad and good sequel to The Kingdom Of Dreams and Madness
I love how at the start of the movie Mahito was haunted by visions of his mom dying while calling out his name, but when he met is real mother she assured him that she has no regrets. He finally moved on from his guilt.
He never met his real mother after she died?
@@aaronday7677 I think that his mother's younger self retains an unchanging outlook on her future. She probably felt the same way when she died, and had no regrets.
Imo, this movie is the deepest Miyazaki movie. On the surface, it's a mix of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. but to me, it's a love letter from Miyazaki to us and the future generations. He's telling us to create beautiful worlds untainted by malice. That block that Mahito kept at the end symbolizes the movie itself, a powerful reminder that we have the power to create something beautiful.
I'd say its more a mix of Spirited Away and The Wind Rises. A grounded, WW2 set film about finding reasons to live in an imperfect world (The Wind Rises) masquerading as an Alice in Wonderland style fantasy adventure (Spirited Away).
How many reviews you gon leave this same comment on homie?
@@YoungM3rce bout a few
I think you should quote the persons video you obviously took inspiration from
@@Mondscheinelfe I watched the movie twice and formulated this opinion on my drive home
I watched it a few days ago and it was so chaotic and confusing. I was frustrated because I couldn’t quite follow. But towards the end I realised that life itself can sometimes exactly be like that.
Mahito must have felt those feelings as well, living during war, loosing his mother and being in such a new and strange situation/environment. But he keeps going, trying his best to save a person he doesn’t know how to feel about yet, knowing it will leads to a future he’s not very fond of (yet).
I have to disagree with a lot of people here and have to say it was a great movie, not only because of the symbolism and the messages but also because I’m still thinking of this movie every day and every time I do, I discover something new.
I just realized at the end, Mahito (?) says that he can’t stack the stones because he has malice. And the woman that guides him in the sea world also has the same scar.
I think Miyazaki wanted this character to represent him. In interviews and documentaries he has always come across as burdened and upset. Maybe as he’s getting closer to death he wants others to not feel burdened by their struggles and trauma and to make the world a better place regardless of it.
Hmmm...that's really beautiful 🥺
I think you are very close. The boy refuses to be the successor because his malice prevents him to built a better world in peace & harmony. Also the stones seem to represent black magic that he does not want to use.
I agree with the explanation. This film is an artistic expression of director Miyazaki's whole life. The boy, Mahito, of course, is Hayao Miyazaki himself. The mysterious tower symbolizes Studio Ghibli. In that tower, magical stories are created. The heron who guides us to that mysterious world is the producer Suzuki. The 13 stones represent the number of films directed by Miyazaki so far. His granduncle is the late director Isao Takahata. The director Miyazaki has great respect for Director Takahata. The director Miyazaki still cannot accept the fact that Takahata has gone in his real life. In this film, the director Miyazaki looks back on his life, goes to see Isao Takahata, refuses to inherit Studio Ghibli, and departs for a new world. This film is a farewell to Isao Takahata. Very artistic animation. Impressed.
The lack of promotion was actually Ghibli’s producer Toshio Suzuki’s decision for the project. He said that he wanted the experience of seeing it to be like when they were children and only saw a single poster and maybe an advert.
I thought about his distant relationship with his son and how he reacted to his first movie (which was rather disappointing).
Sure, he may be saying goodbye with this movie, but the message I interpreted from it is that he also understood for himself that there is a world outside of his work, things that are more important to others (and also his son) and it's perfectly okay to pursue them.
Maybe it's a long shot, but maybe it's also a personal message to his son.
An old man who has spent his whole life creating a world far away and distant from the real people who care about him. And in the end, he lets his intended successor go, instead of continuing to force him to take over his world, to do what he himself had not accomplished, something more important - to live his life and be with his family.
Hayao Miyazaki created The Boy and The Heron as a bid farewell to something he created, his own legacy through art, cinema and storytelling, no matter how beautiful or comforting it is, all things must come to an end. It’s a movie about choosing to live with hurt and suffering rather than pursuing only power and comfort. It felt much like a personal statement for the creator, and a kind of profound destruction of all that came before and how it all began. His life, his creations and his journey. You can see Easter eggs of past movies cleverly intertwined into this movie. They appear in chronical order of release too, I guess in a sense this is what Miyazaki's journey looked like, he wanted us to see what he saw. His visions for a world created through the magic of art. In the end, we get closure for Mahito and Miyazaki. He's able to pass down a story to all generations after him. A parting gift if you will, one of the most fitting way to end to his career. While Miyazaki's chapter closes here, all his masterpieces will transcend the times and live on. ❤
I just I don't know how to word the emotions I felt after I walked out if the theater, it was like miyazaki spoke directly to me.....i spent the next morning crying. And this masterpiece from the best filmmaker of our times, love love love
I cried at the end after the song Spinning globe started. Crying how can such a brilliant work be someone's last work.
Just saw this movie in theaters last night, was confused on about 40% of it.
Can't wait to watch more videos delving into this
Ha! I went in totally blind to this movie. I just loved it because I was left with so many questions and inspiration. I enjoy hearing the different interpretations people have.
I honestly just enjoyed it for what it was, because it was an absolute experience, but reading between the lines about what it’s really about is super cool too.
Someone really needs to make a Miyazaki film about Miyazaki, in his style. I hope it's already in the works. He deserves it for his outstanding life's work.
what a great idea!!
I decided to bite the bullet and see this with only name brand recognition of Mr. Miyazaki and his films and my God ,this was a beautiful, stunning experience. I think he made a masterpiece with this.
I know the popular interpretation that makes sense is that the grand uncle represents Miyazaki, but they’ve confirmed in interviews, such as with indie wire that mahito is Miyazaki, heron is Toshio Suzuki, and the grand uncle is Isao Takahata.
I love the analysis and agree with it all, however, the basic plot issues left me feeling like the symbolism took over and the simple story was left incomplete. I'm a huge fan of Miyazaki, and wish the Grand Uncle and his 4 potential replacements had more explanation. I'm not being specific because this is a no spoiler clip. :)
I totally understand that. While I loved the movie for what it represents and all of the technical skill on display, I still have a few other Ghibli favorites that I enjoy more. It was also the most hands-off project for Miyazaki in his career, so that could be part of the reason. But ultimately, I'm really glad we both enjoyed the film, and it's wonderful to hear you loved the analysis, thank you so much!!
Great job, really interesting to hear your thoughts on this movie. I think 'Spirited Away' is still my favorite Miyazaki but it was interesting seeing him work in fairy tale motifs again. The idea that holding on too long to the need to control, no matter how grand the things you can build with that ambition, ultimately only ends in death and stagnation reminded me a lot of the Nausiica manga and Laputa, and the parallels between the line of distant ships and the line of ghost planes in Porco Rosso is a beautiful image in both movies.
Thank you!! And yeah, I totally see what you mean, the film almost feels like an amalgamation of all of Miyazaki’s previous work thematically and stylistically. Even many of the creatures look familiar. If this is truly the last one, it seems very appropriate. And yeah, Spirited Away is my favorite as well! I think I’ll watch it again over the holiday break. Thank you for watching!!
You hit every single point on the head correctly. This was a great video. What is so awesome about hearing your understanding and it being completely parallel with my understanding it’s just how awesome it is to know that art like this touches people can connect people in their thoughts and purpose. Thanks for making this. You did a wonderful job. Can’t wait to show the video to my other half as I know it will help clarify questions they have. Truly a beautiful analysis!
Omg this is such a fulfilling comment to read. Just like you said, it really means the most to me when people can connect through art on text and video platforms like this, whether we learn through disagreement or relate through agreement. It’s the reason I do it. And I’m super glad we could both enjoy the movie! Thank you so much!!
@@lucasblue20 thank you as well!! I’ve seen it 3 times so far lol I loveeee it and everything Miyazaki! I’m going again in Saturday to see the English version lol first three times were in Japanese. It’s a masterpiece.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who picked up on all this. A lot of friends I’ve spoken to haven’t liked this film saying there was no point to it. I can’t disagree more!
Definitely one of my favourite traditional animated films, thank you Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli 😀
This video is beautiful! I can really tell you truly understand the details and love the film. I’m watching it this Friday, thank you for this!
Thank you so much! You’re right, I do truly admire it, it’s so good. And I can’t wait for you to see it!
I just saw this movie with my bf and we went into it blind purposely not reading anything cause we didn’t want spoilers. Tho I left a bit confused I’m happy to stumble upon this video as I didn’t know it was about Miyazaki, it made me appreciate it more. It’s a beautiful movie now that understand his perspective/story.
Spot on, mate! Loved the subtle visual references to the previous movies; felt like home :) . Another masterpiece!
Your review made me love this film bettter!! Thank you so much!!!
Damn good movie. So glad I got to see it on the big screen. What a blessing.
great review, analysis and interpretation, u have a very soothing voice. Saw this in the movies today and it was friggin great.
This was so wonderfully well said, and definitely changed my perspective on the movie. While i do think some of my initial criticisms hold up i think rewatching with this video in mind might give me a new appreciation for it. so thanks! :)
This is great, thanks for the breakdown!
Well research, good writing and adequate voicing, logical order of arguments for an interesting interpretation, thank you very much!
Keep it up!
Yeah I needed this. Tks for the help.
What I like most of this Movie is that it leaves you with so many questionmarks & gets better & better the more you try to analyze what it is about. You are certainly right with your interpretations, but I think there is also an overarching story to it that, up to now, nobody mentioned in a review or explanation video. This surprises me because it seemed so obvious. Maybe I am just overinterpreting, but do not think so. However, it still makes me watch videos about the Film whenever youtube suggests them, to see if anybody comes up with a similar idea. No, won´t spoiler it for you, it would kill the fun finding out by yourself.
Great video man I enjoy listening to it i just find you channel and the boy and the Heron is my favorite film of the year
Exactly the kind of analysis I was looking for after seeing the film. It left a deep impact on me!
This is such an illuminating video. I loved the film but watching this has helped me to love it more.
Thank you.
Great video. I really needed to hear that message ❤
I really enjoyed this masterpiece and have also enjoyed watching all of these analysis videos on the film. I've seen some say that not only are the characters representing different facets of Miyazaki, but there are undertones of mysticism and Japanese folklore as well that explain different "levels" of the world that the grand uncle created, and why the birth room is so taboo could be from the folklore about goddess Toyotama-hime.
I didn’t understand the whole birthing room thing. Why did she go there? Why wouldn’t she leave? Why was it taboo for them to enter?
@@HarmonyWheeler So the "taboo" part is probably from (and this was just something that someone else guessed)- a Japanese myth where a husband peeped into the birth room and then the wife turned into a shark and left him behind.. so that's the taboo part, because it's from a Japanese myth. But I don't understand why she went there and why she didn't want to leave. 🤔 My question was more why she told Mahito that she hated him- some sources are guessing that it's because he wasn't as accepting of her in the real world and that it also reflects the relationship that Miyazaki had with his own mother. But of course this is all just speculation, and like you, I have tons of questions. 😄
Beautiful movie and review. Thanks for making this, it helped me understand the movie more deeply.
My pleasure, thank you!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! Idk if you saw but Indiewire did an interview and it said Great Uncle represents Isao Takahata, who was Miyazaki’s partner at Ghibli who died a few years ago.
I knew instantly that the fire woman was his mum due to the fife imaergy. I love that is connected it like that. Theres so much to unpack here and i loved it so much. After i thought this was the perfect retirement film as if he feels the same passing this on to his son and allowing him to forge his own path.
Extremely well done! Great analysis
Thank you!! It was so much fun to make so I’m really glad you enjoyed!!
With a world full of billions and billions of people, nobody can be you. This is a lesson we can all learn from.
Amo estos videos, duran exactamente lo que tardo en desayunar
Haha that’s actually really great to hear! It means a lot that you enjoy them, thank you!!
The delivery room was really the only thing I didn’t quite understand. Why did she go to this world anyway, and why can nobody visit the delivery room? Maybe I can see that she left to test Mahito and she was party to the Heron’s plans. And who was the unborn child/what did the pregnancy represent? That’s the angle I’ve been thinking about a lot.
She and her baby were dying for pregnancy complications in the real world
@@user-mi6tb7gs4r This is exactly the conclusion I also came to.
Probably the best video explanation of the movie. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you so much my friend!! Means so much!
That was a beautiful essay. Thank you.
Totally my pleasure, thank you so much for watching!
Just saw the film this tuesday. Amazing and profound essay on the film and Miyazaki's work. Looking forward for other videos. New subscriber. Happy new year from Mexico.
Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed and Happy New Year!!
I thought it was a goodbye from Miyazaki, I never felt like someone saying: "farewell, this world is yours now", like I felt with this movie. I did not enjoy it the same way I did with other movies from Miyazaki, but this one's message left me speechless, it was the artists farewell to his fans, and I felt profoundly grateful for the work he did through his life
omg i felt the same like you can easily feel that sadness feeling at the core of the movie, i really impressed and it was hard for me to say goodbye to Miyazaki and my childhood at the end of the movie. You know when u realize that actually this is the last movie of him and there won't be another ones after this movie and this is truly the end.. Sometimes at the end it's hard to accept that something is going to end and it's last and there'll not be the more parts of it. Goodbye Miyazaki and Goodbye my childhood. it's time to make our own stories now.
@@nancyveronica6851 Agreed, really a moment of departure, reminds me of one of the saddest moments of my childhood when I going merry leaves the adventure... I cry almost every time
Sir I just wanna say THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS REVIEW !!!!!!
Omg totally my pleasure, thank YOU for watching!!
The best CZcams review ❤
Thank you so much!!
It dawned on me while on the drive home after having seen the movie that this film is Miyazaki's way of telling us that no one can replace him at Studio Ghibli because there can only be one Miyazaki. To try and be him would go against creativity. We're all meant to create our own worlds, our own stories, but also that we shouldn't allow those worlds to overtake our lives as it did with Miyazaki. His son spoke about how little Miyazaki was involved in his life growing up, and there's a possibility that the man himself regrets that.
Personally, I have a lot of issues with the story and how it is told, but the message is there, and it's done well enough for the message to sink in. And like always, it's a Miyazaki film, it's going to be entertaining and fun.
I think that message is also aimed at Makoto Shinkai, who people keep hailing as “the next Miyazaki” even if he doesn’t believe that.
Hayao Miyazaki is telling Shinkai that he DOESN’T have to be the next Miyazaki. He should instead make his own art without shallowly replicating Studio Ghibli films.
To me, personally, the reason why the Studio Ghibli films are so special to me was that unwavering sense of empathy and kindness in them, even in their darkest films. They have this sense of emotional rawness and realness that is rare in film.
They also tell us that life is worth living.
I want to recapture that Ghibli magic of being emotionally real and raw, and shallowly copying the Ghibli style will not do that, only following what I think works for me will.
The directors of Ghibli followed their own hearts for them to get this, and I want to follow my own heart.
It’s basically saying “be yourself”.
there is so much meaning to this movie i feel a lot of people overlooked and didnt understand.
I was in awe.
lovely analysis
The entire movie is a beautiful metaphor for his life
this movie is amazing! thanks for the review
It very much was! And thank you, thank you for watching!!
Just finally got to watched the film and while I did not cry in theater, this review definitely left me in tears. I guess it is easier to escape the real world now more than ever and definitely am one of the many who often chose to do so rather than facing the heartbreaks of life.
Miyazaki has been criticized by many for the way he treated his son & I can kinda see him trying to let that go in this film.
It took my family and I, two hours to arrive at the movies and one more hour to see it, I was completely amazed and bewildered by the beauty and the story, it was beautiful, but sadly my family thought otherwise.
Great analysis.
Above the door to the other world it says "Fecemi la divina potestate" which means "my maker was divine authority"
It’s from Dante’s Inferno
Wooow! The movie is so subtextual and hurts me sm for some reason. 😢 Even the elements that seem cryptic or difficult to understand tracks with how frustrating and nebulous life is.
Great video!
i am so glad there are other people bringing this up. while watching the film I could very clearly see different stages of Miyazaki's life through the different characters. This movie is absolutely an ode farewell to anime and filmmaking. Although there are rumors he is going to make another film, this movie alone is just so obviously a love letter to his legacy and his comfort with letting his own legacy end.
Also you say this is spoiler-free but you are literally mentioning and bringing up every single major plot point of the movie and every big twist so...I really dont see what spoilers you're hiding if you are bringing up everything lol
I just watch the movie...tq with great explanation ❤
Thank you! Subscribed!
Thank you so much!! Plenty more to come very soon!
Wow. The Florida Film Critic Circle gave THE BOY AND THE HERON the award for best Picture and Best Animated Picture.
Did anyone else notice the reference to Arnold Bocklin? When Shoichi is pulled into the tower the first place he visits is Bocklin's 'Isle of the Dead'. And in case you think it's a coincidence, Miyazaki even put a memo on his story board for this scene, "Cypres like Bocklin's Isle of the Dead".
Absolutely! The resemblance leapt out at me, but I couldn’t remember the name of the painting. And it links in to the inscription above the entrance to the tower, which comes from the entrance to hell in Dante’s Inferno: “I was made by divine power”.
Yup, definately Boecklin!
On point review.
Thank you!!
Like a "spinnnig globe" this perfectly imperfect world will continue to go on. Brilliant!!!
Thank you so much! It was a really beautiful concept
Awesome work ❤
Thank you!!
I also want to throw in here that I think the ending is a love letter to his son and him passing on the torch
But his son tried and his father seemed to not approve so the son stepped away from film making.
@@weissesfrettchengoro didnt totally step away. He made from up on poppy hill which was pretty good and a recent series. Part of the movie is him telling the future that they should go on their own path
I always love your movie takes/analyses!
This truly does mean a lot, thank you so much!
great stuff!
Thank you!!
i think i need to rewatch
Beautiful movie, I loved it
It is also a nice story of a boy processing his moms death.
I keep avoiding content “explaining” The Boy and The Heron because I don’t want to make sense of it. I want it to remain an absolute fever dream.
It has been 4 weeks since I saw this film I can't seem to get it out of my head the film is so beautiful visually and thematically, I personally believe the film is about how those who have seen the darkest stuff make the brightest art trying escape that darkness and give that light to others
It's about change and things we can't control, and that if we embrace them, things might just work out.
I felt instantly that every male character is somewhat Miyazaki saying something
Something must’ve gotten lost in translation because I was so confused during this movie, a friend explained it later and it made sense but man I was disappointed I didn’t walk out of the theater feeling a little more satisfied
I've seen every myazaki film, I've love all of them up until this point, some I've watched over 20 times, but I found this film to be just impenetrable tosh, if I were not watching this with my wife, I would have walked out of the cinema. I wish he had stopped at "The Wind Rises"
Same
Haven’t even seen the movie yet and I know it’s gonna make me sob 😭
see my initial takeaway after the film was that yeah, the great uncle is a Miyazaki self insert. but then in that same Suzuki interview you referenced, didn't Suzuki mention that the great uncle was meant to be Takahata?
As below, so above.
Idk why but I cried while watching this :(
I loved the man eating parakeets. I need a king parakeet action figure!!!
I feel like the fact that Great Uncle looked like Einstein isn't an accident either.
This is the same face as Ashitaka from the “ princess Mononoke”
No Ashitaka has actual expressions. You see him smile from time to time. That kid doesn't.
We thought the movie was disappointing, having watched Chihiro's Journey (Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi - not sure what the English title actually was) before. The graphics were very "80's", and the story also very simple and trivial/boring in our opinions. The daughter liked it, though.
Hisaishi's music was ok, but not his best work from our point of view.
Himi does resemble Miyazaki’s mom!
If haven't seen the movie yet, and yet once you leave you might be confused. To give you a heads up into your movie journey. His dad is marrying, or married his deceased wife's sister. Hopefully that will help understanding the boy's fantasy adventure about life.
Just 1 word: Oscar
Easily one of my all-time favorite Ghibli films. I want to go and see it at least 3 or 4 more times!
So basically Life of Pi without the last 10 minutes explaination
where did you get the footage from?
One of the Spinning Globe music videos has a bunch of shots from the film that aren’t in the trailers, that’s where I got most of my footage from
i wouldn't call the parakeet king malicious & greedy tho. overzealous maybe.
Yeah that’s a good point, thinking back on it at this point, I think overzealous is the perfect word
This helps to explain why I didn't like the movie as much as most others he's directed. Being so heavily inspired in his personal story makes it far less significant to me.