‘As if I’m in a Dream’, ‘David Lynch on Ghibli’: First Thoughts on Miyazaki’s Latest Drop!

Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, now titled The Boy and the Heron ahead of its US release, debuted in Japan on Friday, and early audiences aren’t thrilled with it: The film is described as “truly stunning” visually beautiful. Experience (Anime News Network), conveying deep philosophical messages.

The feature film, previously titled “How Do You Live?” (in Japanese “Kimi-tachi wa dô ikiru ka”) and about which we knew nothing else, caused a sensation. The studio’s decision not to promote the film has fans in a heightened state of curiosity. Ghibli said only that the film was very loosely based on Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 philosophical children’s book. And how will you live?One of my personal favorites Miyazaki.

At the box office, the first figures seem to be quite good, if we are to believe the few sources who have published on the subject. According to Anime News And Facts, the film grossed ¥465 million (about $3.3 million) on its first day of release. Others are talking about its opening weekend of 11.3 million (¥1.57 billion), which would be the third-biggest 3-day opening weekend of 2023 and the second-biggest ever by a Ghibli. However, all this remains to be confirmed.

An outstanding work of art

Even before the first reviews dropped, after the film’s premiere, Hayao Miyazaki He himself commented (via The Hollywood Reporter):You probably didn’t hear anything. Sometimes it was hard for me to understand.If some have indeed called it “strange”, too “mystical” or simply admitted that they did not understand, the reactions are mostly dithyrambs.

for Anime News Network,”Each frame of this film is like a separate piece of art. This is a movie you can watch a hundred times and still discover something new in the background of any given scene. This is an animated tour unlike anything seen in the past decade.“

Japanese film and culture magazine Cinemas+ also described the film as a “celebration”. Miyazaki, draws inspiration from motifs and characters from his filmography, but weaves them into a story that’s a little darker, more brooding, and more personal than most of his work. Everyone agrees that the work requires several viewings to fully understand it.

in social networks

And seeing it multiple times is something some fans have already done in Japan.

“2nd view. I cried at the end. But I don’t know why I’m crying. first experience Which movie is that? I have to go there for the third time. This is the first movie I’ve seen multiple times in theaters since The Goonies, which I saw as a kid.“

“First reactions to Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film How do you live? : “As if I’m in a dream…”, “David Lynch in Ghibli…”, “Emotional epic…”“

“It’s so unique. Not so Japanese fantasy, not so much Western fantasy. It seems real, but not real! This is the essence of Miyazaki’s fantasy, pure and clear!“

“I’m begging someone to take me to Japan right now:

It was an embrace of life and death, the terrible cruelty of the world, and hope to preserve and preserve that little beauty. A graceful acceptance of finitude and the passage of time. A bittersweet farewell to a legend and a brave welcome from a young new generation. The torch passed.“

“wow… how are you living? It was eye-opening. Genre defying… distinctive and wonderful characters. Elements of The Wind Rises, Ponyo, Spirited Away, Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle… check out this movie!“

“Another amazing Ghibli movie. If this is Miyazaki’s farewell, it will be a good film to end such a long and storied career. I loved every moment of the movie and the choice to not sell the movie at all was genius.“

“Movie review without spoilers: Amazing and brilliant movie. felt the author’s love and loneliness. The film is difficult to understand at first glance, but it transports you into the fascinating world of Miyazaki. The bird will surprise you…“

“I would love to see how you live? Tonight by Hayao Miyazaki. No spoilers, but it was a familiar, yet surprisingly beautiful heat.“

Although the film will be released in US theaters later this year, it is not known if or when it will be in France. In the meantime, we’ll leave you with one last tweet: four photos out of context that explained the plot of the movie… it’s up to you to guess!

“4 photos that explain how he lives? Or I guess it’s called The Boy and the Heron now… But if you know, you know…“