Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron Makes International Debut at TIFF

Fans will finally know what is up with the mysterious heron in Hayao Miyazaki’s final film The Boy and the Heron very soon.

As per Anime News Network, acclaimed film director and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s How Do You Live? (localized to The Boy and the Heron) will make its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film will make history as it will be the first time a Japanese film or an animated film has opened the festival. The Boy and the Heron premieres on Sept. 7.

How Do You Live? exuded an air of mystique in the lead-up to its premiere in Japan. No trailers or teaser images, other than the initial teaser visual of a heron with an eye peeking out, have been released. The film opted to not release any information about the summary, voice cast or the film’s staff. According to producer Toshio Suzuki, this decision was made due to an issue of “over-supply.” Suzuki said, “From the perspective of the viewer, it’s like they’re taking away all the truly interesting parts. So, since it’s come to this, I thought we should just go with a single poster.”

While How Do You Live? shares the same title as Genzaburō Yoshino’s novel, the film is loosely based off it. Set during World War II, How Do You Live? follows Mahito Maki, an 18-year-old who moves to the countryside with his father after his mother dies during the firebombing in Tokyo. Mahito’s father marries his late mother’s pregnant sister and as Mahito struggles with his new situation and environment, he meets a talking heron. He then crosses into another world, enticed by the promise that he will see his mother once again.

Soma Santoki has been confirmed to be the voice actor for Mahito. Other credits include Masaki Suda, Kou Shibasaki, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Keiko Takeshita, Jun Fubuki, Sawako Agawa, Karen Takizawa, Shinobu Ōtake, Jun Kunimura, Kaoru Kobayashi and SHohei Hino. Miyazaki directed and wrote the script with Takeshi Honda (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea) as the animation director. Joe Hisaishi, who composed scores for numerous Ghibli films including Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, will return as the composer. Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man) performs the theme song “Chikyūgi” which translates to “Globe.”

The Boy and the Heron opens at TIFF on Sept. 7. GKIDS has licensed the film where it will release in theatres in North America later this year. This film will also be the first Studio Ghibli film to get a simultaneous IMAX release.

Source: Anime News Network, via Twitter