The Boy and the Heron Ending Explained, Cast, Plot, Trailer, and Where to Watch
by Sangamithra
Updated Dec 08, 2023
The Boy and the Heron
"The Boy and the Heron" is a 2023 Japanese animated fantasy film directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, and produced by Studio Ghibli. The movie, with a runtime of 124 minutes, follows the story of Mahito Maki, a boy who discovers an abandoned tower in his town after his mother's death during the Pacific War. The film, despite sharing its title with a 1937 novel by Genzaburō Yoshino, features an original storyline.
Miyazaki, who initially announced retirement in 2013 but later returned to filmmaking, began working on the project in 2016. Production faced challenges, including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Miyazaki's slower animation pace. With a budget making it Japan's most expensive film, the screenplay draws from Miyazaki's childhood, exploring themes of coming of age and dealing with a world marked by conflict and loss.
Released in Japan on July 14, 2023, the film gained attention for its unique marketing approach, with no trailers or promotional materials released in advance. Despite this, "The Boy and the Heron" received critical acclaim, grossing over $84 million worldwide and earning a spot on the National Board of Review's top 10 films of 2023.
The Boy and the Heron Ending Explained
At the end of "The Boy and the Heron," 12-year-old Mahito Maki's journey takes a magical turn. After discovering a sealed tower in the woods, Mahito encounters a mysterious grey heron that leads him into an alternate world filled with magic. In this realm, he encounters characters like a younger version of Kiriko and Himi, a young woman with magical powers.
Mahito's goal is to rescue Natsuko, his stepmother, who is about to give birth in this fantastical world ruled by Natsuko's granduncle, a powerful wizard. As the story unfolds, Mahito faces challenges, including a castle guarded by giant man-eating parakeets. Eventually, he learns that he has the opportunity to take over the responsibility of maintaining this magical world.
However, Mahito decides to return to his world, realizing the importance of being with the people who love him despite the hardships. During the escape, he discovers that Himi is a younger version of his mother, Hisako and that she and Kiriko must return to their own time to ensure Mahito's birth. The alternate world collapses, and Mahito, Natsuko, and the heron return to their world reuniting with Mahito's father, Shoichi.
All the inhabitants of the magical realm transform into normal animals and escape. The heron, bidding farewell, hints that Mahito will eventually forget the events in the alternate world. Two years later, Mahito and his family moved back to Tokyo. The ending beautifully concludes Mahito's fantastical adventure, emphasizing the importance of love, family, and facing the challenges of the real world.
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The Boy and the Heron Movie Length
"The Boy and the Heron" is a captivating Japanese animated fantasy film with a runtime of 124 minutes. Directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, the movie was produced by Studio Ghibli, known for its iconic animated works.
Released in Japan on July 14, 2023, and subsequently in the U.S. on December 8, 2023, the film weaves a poignant tale around Mahito Maki, a 12-year-old boy who discovers a mysterious tower, leading him into a fantastical world. Drawing from Miyazaki's childhood and featuring a unique storyline, the film explores themes of coming of age, loss, and the magic inherent in everyday life.
The Boy and the Heron Cast
Mahito Maki
Soma Santoki
Luca Padovan
The Grey Heron
Masaki Suda
Robert Pattinson
Lady Himi
Aimyon
Karen Fukuhara
Natsuko
Yoshino Kimura
Gemma Chan
Shoichi Maki
Takuya Kimura
Christian Bale
Granduncle
Shōhei Hino
Mark Hamill
Kiriko
Ko Shibasaki
Florence Pugh
Noble Pelican
Kaoru Kobayashi
Willem Dafoe
The Parakeet King
Jun Kunimura
Dave Bautista
Izumi (Maid #1)
Keiko Takeshita
Utako (Maid #2)
Jun Fubuki
Eriko (Maid #3)
Sawako Agawa
Aiko (Maid #4)
Shinobu Otake
Warawara
Karen Takizawa
Character
Japanese Voice Actor
English Voice Actor
The Boy and the Heron Trailer
The Boy and the Heron Plot
"The Boy and the Heron" unfolds during the Pacific War in 1943, introducing 12-year-old Mahito Maki. After his mother's tragic death in a Tokyo hospital fire, Mahito and his father, Shoichi, relocate to the countryside, where Shoichi remarries his late wife's sister, Natsuko. Struggling with grief, Mahito encounters a mysterious grey heron and discovers a sealed tower in the woods. Armed with a bow and arrow crafted from the heron's feathers, Mahito embarks on a journey into a fantastical world.
The narrative weaves between Mahito's struggles in the real world and his adventures in the magical realm. Guided by the heron, he encounters characters like Lady Himi and faces challenges, including a castle guarded by giant man-eating parakeets. The story explores themes of loss, coming of age, and the complexity of relationships.
In a climactic twist, Mahito learns about the origins of the alternate world and confronts choices that could alter its fate. Ultimately, he decides to return to his own world, valuing the love of his family despite its hardships. The film concludes with Mahito and his family returning to Tokyo, marking the end of his transformative journey between reality and enchantment.
The Boy and the Heron Where to Watch
"The Boy and the Heron," directed by Hayao Miyazaki, had its wide U.S. theatrical release on December 8, 2023. The film, which drew inspiration from Miyazaki's childhood and was based on Genzaburō Yoshino's 1937 novel, initially premiered in Japan on July 14, 2023. The U.S. release followed limited theatrical screenings and preview events that commenced on November 22.
Fans eagerly anticipating the film's arrival in theaters could find showtimes on platforms such as Fandango, Regal, AMC Theaters, Alamo Drafthouse, and Cinemark. While there was no official confirmation regarding its streaming availability at the time of its theatrical release, it was expected that the movie would become digitally accessible in early 2024.
Studio Ghibli films typically joined the library on Max, making it likely that "The Boy and the Heron" would follow suit. As for a digital release, viewers might have had to wait until 2024 to enjoy the Studio Ghibli production from the comfort of their homes. It was recommended to keep an eye out for updates on its streaming and digital release after its theatrical run.
The Boy and the Heron Ending Explained - FAQs
The film was released in Japan on July 14, 2023.
The movie has a runtime of 124 minutes.
Hayao Miyazaki both directed and wrote the film.
The film opted for an intentional absence of trailers or promotional materials in advance of its Japanese premiere.
Showtimes are available on platforms like Fandango, Regal, AMC Theaters, Alamo Drafthouse, and Cinemark.