View source for The Boy and the Heron

{{good article}}
{{Short description|2023 film by Hayao Miyazaki}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = How_Do_You_Live_poster.jpg
| alt            = A sketch of a gray heron bird suit with a man's eye and nose peeking out from under its beak.
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| native_name    = {{Infobox Japanese
| kanji          = 君たちはどう生きるか
| l              = How Do You Live?
| revhep         = Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka
}}
| director       = [[Hayao Miyazaki]]
| writer         = Hayao Miyazaki
| producer       = [[Toshio Suzuki (producer)|Toshio Suzuki]]
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Soma Santoki]]
* [[Masaki Suda]]
* [[Aimyon]]
* [[Yoshino Kimura]]
* [[Shōhei Hino]]
* [[Ko Shibasaki]]
* [[Takuya Kimura]]
}}
| cinematography = Atsushi Okui
| editing        = [[Takeshi Seyama]]
| music          = [[Joe Hisaishi]]
| studio         = [[Studio Ghibli]]
| distributor    = [[Toho]]
| released       = {{Film date|fd=yes|2023|7|14}}<!--Do Not add any other release dates here-->
| runtime        = 124 minutes
| country        = Japan
| language       = Japanese
| budget         = <!--Do not add "High"-->
| gross          = {{USD|294.2 million}}<ref name="Tartaglione 2024">{{Cite news |title=''Godzilla x Kong'' Roars Past $436M WW; ''Kung Fu Panda 4'' Tops $450M; Latest ''Detective Conan'' Huge In Japan – International Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/godzilla-x-kong-kung-fu-panda-4-detective-conan-china-japan-global-international-box-office-1235885714/ |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=2024-04-15 |access-date=2024-04-15 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415120401/https://deadline.com/2024/04/godzilla-x-kong-kung-fu-panda-4-detective-conan-china-japan-global-international-box-office-1235885714/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

{{nihongo|'''''The Boy and the Heron'''''|君たちはどう生きるか|Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka|{{lit|How Do You{{efn|Second-person plural, as in "you all"}} Live?}}|lead=yes}} is a 2023 [[Anime|Japanese animated]] [[fantasy film]] written and directed by [[Hayao Miyazaki]]. Produced by [[Studio Ghibli]], the  film's Japanese title references Genzaburō Yoshino's [[How Do You Live?|1937 novel of the same name]] but is not an adaptation of it. The Japanese voice cast includes [[Soma Santoki]], [[Masaki Suda]], [[Ko Shibasaki]], [[Aimyon]], [[Yoshino Kimura]], [[Takuya Kimura]], [[Kaoru Kobayashi (actor)|Kaoru Kobayashi]], and [[Shinobu Otake]]. Described as a "big, fantastical film",<ref name="EW" /> it follows a boy named Mahito Maki who moves to the countryside after his mother's death, discovers an abandoned tower near his new home, and enters a fantastical world with a talking [[grey heron]].

Miyazaki announced his retirement in September 2013 but later reversed this decision after working on the short film ''[[Boro the Caterpillar]]'' (2018). He began storyboarding for a new feature-length project in July 2016, and official production began in May 2017. The film's title was announced in October 2017, targeting a release around the [[2020 Summer Olympics]]. By May 2020, 36 minutes of the film had been [[Hand-drawn animation|hand-drawn]] by 60 animators, with no set deadline. Production spanned approximately seven years, facing delays as it navigated challenges related to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Japan|COVID-19 pandemic]] and Miyazaki's slowed animation pace, before nearing completion in October 2022. Financing for the project involved [[Streaming media|streaming]] deals for previous Ghibli films. According to producer [[Toshio Suzuki (producer)|Toshio Suzuki]], ''The Boy and the Heron'' is the most expensive film ever produced in Japan. The screenplay draws heavily from Miyazaki's childhood and explores themes of coming of age and coping with a world marked by conflict and loss. [[Joe Hisaishi]] composed the film's score, while [[Kenshi Yonezu]] wrote and sang the film's theme song "[[Spinning Globe]]".

''The Boy and the Heron'' was theatrically released in Japan on July 14, 2023, by [[Toho]], and was screened in both traditional theaters and other premium formats such as [[IMAX]]. The release was noted for its intentional absence of any promotion, with Ghibli choosing not to release any trailers, images, synopsis, or casting details of the film in advance of its Japanese premiere except a single poster. The film received critical acclaim and has grossed {{USD|294.2 million}} worldwide, making it the fifth [[List of highest-grossing Japanese films|highest-grossing Japanese film of all time]]. Among [[List of accolades received by The Boy and the Heron|its numerous accolades]], the film won Best Animated Feature Film at the [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature|Academy Awards]], the [[BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film|BAFTA Awards]], the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film|Golden Globes]], and the [[Japan Academy Film Prize for Animation of the Year|Japanese Film Academy]].

==Plot==
During the [[Pacific War]] in Tokyo, Mahito Maki loses his mother Hisako in a hospital fire. Mahito's father Shoichi, an [[Arsenal|air munitions factory]] owner, [[Sororate marriage|marries his late wife's sister]], Natsuko, and they evacuate to her rural estate. Mahito, distant to the pregnant Natsuko, encounters a peculiar [[grey heron]] leading him to a sealed tower, the last known location of Natsuko's architect granduncle.

After a school fight, Mahito [[Self-harm|deliberately injures himself]]. The heron, now speaking, entices Mahito with promises of finding his mother. Mahito is nearly taken by a swarm of creatures, but Natsuko saves him with a [[whistling arrow]], inspiring him to craft his own bow and arrow. The arrow is magically imbued with true aim after it is [[fletching|fletched]] with the heron's feather. Mahito's reading of [[How Do You Live?|a book]] left by Hisako is interrupted when an ill Natsuko disappears into the forest. Leading one of the estate's elderly maids, Kiriko, into the tower, Mahito is deceived by a watery imitation of his mother made by the heron, which dissolves at his touch. Affronted, he pierces the heron's beak with his arrow, revealing a flightless creature, the Birdman, living inside it. A wizard appears, ordering the Birdman to guide Mahito and Kiriko as all three sink into the floor.

Mahito descends into an oceanic world. He is rescued from attacking pelicans and a forbidding, [[megalith]]ic [[dolmen]] by a younger Kiriko, an adept fisherwoman who uses fire through a magic wand. They catch and sell a giant fish to bubble-like spirits called Warawara, which fly to the world above to be reborn. A [[Pyrokinesis|pyrokinetic]] young woman, Himi, protects Warawara from predation by the pelicans. A dying pelican explains that their species is desperate to survive after being [[Introduced species|introduced]] to this world with no other food. Kiriko mediates peace between Mahito and the Birdman, and Mahito plugs the Birdman's beak, restoring his flight. The two are separated by anthropomorphic, man-eating [[parakeet]]s. Himi saves Mahito and shows him a counterpart of the tower which contains doors to many worlds. They enter a door leading back to Natsuko's estate and are spotted by Shoichi, but Mahito returns through the door to continue his search for Natsuko.

Infiltrating the parakeets' kingdom, Mahito finds Natsuko in a delivery room. Natsuko rebuffs him, and Mahito calls her his mother. Himi incinerates the paper attacking them, but all three are rendered unconscious by the encounter. In a dream, Mahito meets the wizard, Natsuko's granduncle. The wizard, preoccupied with a stack of stone toy blocks representing their dimension, requests Mahito, possessing the power of his bloodline, to succeed in the custodianship of this world. Mahito notices that the blocks are infused with malice. Waking up, he is freed from captivity by the Birdman. They climb the tower to pursue the Parakeet King, who is delivering Himi to the wizard, hoping to convince him to maintain the world. The wizard has collected replacement blocks free of malice for Mahito and implores him to build a better world with them. Mahito refuses, acknowledging his own malice embodied by his self-inflicted scar, and vows instead to embrace those who love him.

The Parakeet King takes the blocks and tries to build a better world himself, but the stack is too unstable and falls. The world begins to collapse and flood, and Mahito, Himi, and the Birdman escape, reuniting with Natsuko and young Kiriko. Learning that Himi is his birth mother, Mahito warns her of her fate, but she returns to her own time without worry. Mahito returns with Natsuko, amidst an exodus of animals that revert to non-anthropomorphic forms. The Birdman notices Mahito keeping a stone of power, and advises him to forget his experiences. A charm doll carried by Mahito transforms back into the old Kiriko. Two years after the war, Mahito moves back to Tokyo with his father, Natsuko, and his new brother.

==Voice cast==
{{Multiple image
| total_width       = 350
| image1            = 151002 부산국제영화제 핑크와그레이 GV 나카지마 유토, 스다 마사키 직찍 (12).jpg
| alt1              = Masaki Suda at the Busan International Film Festival in Busan, South Korea, in 2015.
| image2            = Robert Pattinson 2011.jpg
| alt2              = Robert Pattinson at the Sydney Film Festival in Sydney, Australia, in 2011.
| footer            = [[Masaki Suda]] (left) and [[Robert Pattinson]] (right) voiced the Grey Heron in the Japanese and English versions, respectively.
}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!rowspan=2| Character
!colspan=2| Voice actor
|-
! Japanese
! English
|-
!scope="row"| Mahito Maki
| [[Soma Santoki]] || Luca Padovan
|-
!scope="row"| The Gray Heron
| [[Masaki Suda]] || [[Robert Pattinson]]
|-
!scope="row"| Lady Himi
| [[Aimyon]] || [[Karen Fukuhara]]
|-
!scope="row"| Natsuko
| [[Yoshino Kimura]] || [[Gemma Chan]]
|-
!scope="row"| Shoichi Maki
| [[Takuya Kimura]] || [[Christian Bale]]
|-
!scope="row"| Granduncle
| [[Shōhei Hino]] || [[Mark Hamill]]
|-
!scope="row"| Kiriko
| [[Ko Shibasaki]] || [[Florence Pugh]]
|-
!scope="row"| Noble Pelican
| [[Kaoru Kobayashi (actor)|Kaoru Kobayashi]] || [[Willem Dafoe]]
|-
!scope="row"| The Parakeet King
| [[Jun Kunimura]] || [[Dave Bautista]]
|-
!scope="row"| Izumi (Maid #1)
| [[Keiko Takeshita]] || Denise Pickering
|-
!scope="row"| Utako (Maid #2)
| [[Jun Fubuki]] || [[Barbara Rosenblat]]
|-
!scope="row"| Eriko (Maid #3)
| [[Sawako Agawa]] ||[[Melora Harte]]
|-
!scope="row"| Aiko (Maid #4)
| [[Shinobu Otake]] ||[[Barbara Goodson]]
|-
!scope="row"| Warawara
| colspan=2 style="text-align: center;"| [[Karen Takizawa]]
|-
!scope="row"| Parakeets
| {{n/a}} || [[Mamoudou Athie]]{{break}}[[Tony Revolori]]{{break}}[[Dan Stevens]]<ref name="dub" />
|-
|}

==Production==
{{Multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 150
| image1            = Hayao Miyazaki 201211.jpg
| caption1          = Director [[Hayao Miyazaki]] in 2012
| alt1              = 
| image2            = Toshio Suzuki, Howl's Moving Castle premiere.jpg
| caption2          = Producer [[Toshio Suzuki (producer)|Toshio Suzuki]] in 2004
| alt2              = 
}}

Following the release of ''[[The Wind Rises]]'', Miyazaki held a press conference in Venice in September 2013 announcing his retirement from feature animation, saying: "I know I've said I would retire many times in the past. Many of you must think, 'Once again.' But this time I am quite serious."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-07 |title=宮崎駿監督「この世は生きるに値する」 引退会見の全文 |url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNZO59386140W3A900C1000000/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |publisher=[[The Nikkei]] |language=ja |archive-date=February 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205030127/http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNZO59386140W3A900C1000000/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Highfill|first=Samantha|date=September 6, 2013|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/09/06/hayao-miyazaki-retirement/|title=Hayao Miyazaki on his retirement: 'This time I am quite serious'|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=October 27, 2019|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021053757/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/09/06/hayao-miyazaki-retirement/|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Miyazaki later changed his mind after concluding work on the short film ''[[Boro the Caterpillar]]'' (2018) and decided to come out of retirement to direct another full-length film, a decision which was captured in the 2016 documentary film ''[[Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Egan |last=Loo |date=2016-11-13 |title=Hayao Miyazaki Works on Proposed New Anime Feature Film |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-11-13/hayao-miyazaki-works-on-proposed-new-anime-feature-film/.108775 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902143414/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-11-13/hayao-miyazaki-works-on-proposed-new-anime-feature-film/.108775 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/documentary/201705260600/ |title=Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki |website=[[NHK]] |access-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223025313/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/documentary/201705260600/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He commenced storyboarding for the film in July 2016 and presented a project proposal for it the next month.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-10-28/ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-reveals-his-final-film-title-release-window/.123343 |title=Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki Reveals His 'Final' Film's Title, Release Window |website= [[Anime News Network]]|date= October 28, 2017|access-date= March 4, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180224143952/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-10-28/ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-reveals-his-final-film-title-release-window/.123343 |archive-date=February 24, 2018|url-status= live}}</ref> This proposal included the children's novel ''The Book of Lost Things'' by Irish author [[John Connolly (author)|John Connolly]], which formed "a loose framework" for the project. [[Edogawa Ranpo]]'s {{nihongo|''Ghost Tower''|幽霊塔|Yūrei-tō}}, which Miyazaki loved as a child, inspired the tower in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-27 |title={{-'}}The Boy and the Heron': Miyazaki Hayao Carries Viewers into a World of Stories |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/c030224/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=nippon.com |language=en |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801061609/https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/c030224/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-14 |title=『君たちはどう生きるか』には宮﨑駿の'ジブリでの全て'が詰まっている【ネタバレあり】 |trans-title={{-'}}How Do You Live' is packed with Hayao Miyazaki's 'Everything in Ghibli' [with spoilers] |url=https://realsound.jp/movie/2023/07/post-1376389.html |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Real Sound｜リアルサウンド 映画部 |language=ja |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807125854/https://realsound.jp/movie/2023/07/post-1376389.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Toshio Suzuki (producer)|Toshio Suzuki]] later approved the project, taking into account Miyazaki's commitment and storyboard work.<ref name="IndieWire-Direction" /> After Suzuki publicly announced the start of work on Miyazaki's new film in February 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-24 |title=宮崎駿監督が新作長編の準備に 事実上の「引退」撤回 |trans-title=Director Hayao Miyazaki prepares for new feature film, effectively withdrawing his "retirement" |url=http://www.sankei.com/entertainments/news/170224/ent1702240022-n1.html |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=産経ニュース (Sankei News) |publisher=[[Sankei Shimbun]] |language=ja |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225210455/http://www.sankei.com/entertainments/news/170224/ent1702240022-n1.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> the studio's official website posted a call for staff for the new project on May 19, 2017, and production began in earnest.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-19 |title=宮崎駿監督の新作、始動！ジブリがスタッフ募集を開始 今度こそ本当に最後の監督作品に...｜シネマトゥデイ |url=https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0091692 |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=シネマトゥデイ |language=ja |archive-date=May 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520033718/https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0091692 |url-status=live }}</ref> With Miyazaki coming out of retirement, Studio Ghibli reopened with many of its past collaborators working on the project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dent |first=Steve |date=August 12, 2017 |title=Studio Ghibli reopens for Hayao Miyazaki's new film |language=en-US |work=[[Engadget]] |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/12/studio-ghibli-reopens-for-hayao-miyazakis-new-film/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214112835/https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/12/studio-ghibli-reopens-for-hayao-miyazakis-new-film/ |archive-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> At an event held at [[Waseda University]] in October 2017, Studio Ghibli announced the film would be titled ''Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka'', after the 1937 novel of the same name by Genzaburō Yoshino.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-14 |title=宮崎駿監督、新作タイトルは「君たちはどう生きるか」：朝日新聞デジタル |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASKBX5T4ZKBXUCLV008.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114113038/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASKBX5T4ZKBXUCLV008.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= November 14, 2021 |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Asahi Shimbun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Piedra |first=Josh |date=October 28, 2017 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's Final Film Title is How Do You Live? |language=en-US |work=The Outerhaven |url=http://www.theouterhaven.net/2017/10/hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221054442/http://www.theouterhaven.net/2017/10/hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live/ |archive-date=February 21, 2018}}</ref> The release date was not determined, but Miyazaki voiced his desire to release the film around the time of the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] in Japan.<ref name=":1" /> Suzuki said that Miyazaki was working on the film for his grandson as his way of saying "Grandpa is moving on to the next world, but he's leaving behind this film."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=2017-10-25 |title=The Insanely Adorable Reason Hayao Miyazaki Came Out Of Retirement |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/hayao-miyazaki-comes-out-retirement-explained-1201890713/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913052939/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/hayao-miyazaki-comes-out-retirement-explained-1201890713/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Suzuki stated in August 2018 that the film was expected to be completed in 2021 or 2022. The film was confirmed to be 15% complete at the end of October 2019. In a December 2019 interview with [[NHK]], Suzuki explained that the film was not to be expected anytime soon; Miyazaki in his younger age used to produce 10 minutes of animation every month, but now his speed was reduced to 1 minute per month. He contended that Miyazaki was unlikely to retire completely, as idleness would trouble him. Despite talk of Miyazaki's upcoming film being his last, Suzuki doubted it, asserting that as long as Miyazaki lives, he will likely keep making films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loo |first=Egan |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's Next Film Is 15% Complete After 3.5 Years |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-12-17/hayao-miyazaki-next-film-is-15-percent-complete-after-3.5-years/.154489 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218094050/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-12-17/hayao-miyazaki-next-film-is-15-percent-complete-after-3.5-years/.154489 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> Unlike his previous films, Miyazaki did not oversee every single frame and focused solely on creating the film's blueprint through storyboarding, while the animation director [[Takeshi Honda (animator)|Takeshi Honda]] took charge of the animation process.<ref>{{Cite web |last=日本放送協会 |date=2023-07-06 |title=ジブリ 謎の新作映画「君たちはどう生きるか」鈴木敏夫Pに単独インタ |trans-title=Interview with Toshio Suzuki, Prod. of Ghibli's mysterious new film "How Do You Live?" |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230706/k10014119971000.html |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=NHKニュース |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718185539/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230706/k10014119971000.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2020, Suzuki disclosed that since the new film required a significant amount of time and money, the studio planned to finance the production by showcasing their previously released films on streaming platforms like [[Netflix]]. Miyazaki did not use a computer or smartphone and was unaware of online streaming, so Suzuki convinced him to make this deal to cover the costs, especially considering that the project differed from their previous endeavours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-07 |title=ジブリがNetflix解禁した理由、鈴木敏夫さんが明かす。宮崎駿監督を「映画の制作費をこれで稼ぎます」と説得 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/entry/toshio-suzuki-ghibli_jp_5e63327ac5b6055728054c7c |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=ハフポスト |language=ja |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715100204/https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/entry/toshio-suzuki-ghibli_jp_5e63327ac5b6055728054c7c |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2020, Suzuki recounted to ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' that the film was a "big, fantastical" film. He said that 60 animators were working on the film and that an estimated 36 minutes had been completed after three years of production, saying "we are still hand-drawing everything, but it takes us more time to complete a film because we're drawing more frames", and they were "hoping it will finish in the next three years".<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=May 13, 2020 |title=Studio Ghibli co-founder teases Hayao Miyazaki's next 'big, fantastical' film |url=https://ew.com/movies/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live |url-status=live |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515021325/https://ew.com/movies/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live/ |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> In December 2020, Suzuki stated that the production was working with no deadlines, similarly to ''[[The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (film)|The Tale of the Princess Kaguya]]'' (2013), which took eight years to make. He said that the animation was half-finished, that [[COVID-19]] restrictions had not stopped production, and that the film would be 125 minutes long.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harza |first=Adriana |date=March 8, 2021 |title=Ghibli Producer: Hayao Miyazaki's 'How Do You Live?' Film's Animation Is Half Finished |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-08/ghibli-producer-hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-film-animation-is-half-finished/.170231 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310062417/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-08/ghibli-producer-hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-film-animation-is-half-finished/.170231 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |access-date=March 13, 2021 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> He also revealed that Miyazaki wanted to adapt [[Diana Wynne Jones]]'s ''Earwig and the Witch'' during development, but his son [[Goro Miyazaki|Goro]], an executive-producer of ''Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka'' alongside Koji Hoshino and Kiyofumi Nakajima,<ref name="THRreview" /> directed [[Earwig and the Witch|the adaptation]] instead.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yanagabashi |first=Kan |title=Ghibli Rebooted: Studio Goes 3D for New Movie 'Earwig and the Witch' |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g01000/ |website=Nippon.com |date=December 28, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2021 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418192401/https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g01000/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Cinematographer Atsushi Okui introduced the idea of utilizing [[Dolby Cinema]] to Miyazaki during the production of ''Earwig and the Witch'', which received the director's approval. Okui was particularly drawn to the technology's ability to maintain image sharpness in bright scenes while preventing dark areas from becoming overly black.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=『君たちはどう生きるか』 制作陣が伝えるドルビーシネマでの表現「あくまで技術の選択肢」｜最新の映画ニュースならMOVIE WALKER PRESS |url=https://moviewalker.jp/news/article/1153164/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=MOVIE WALKER PRESS |language=ja |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822185836/https://moviewalker.jp/news/article/1153164/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=株式会社インプレス |date=2023-08-23 |title=「君たちはどう生きるか」Dolby Vision/Atmosをどう活用した? 宮﨑監督も気に入ったHDR |url=https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/topic/1525508.html |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=AV Watch |language=ja |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830113409/https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/topic/1525508.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2021, the director conveyed to ''[[T (magazine)|T]]'' that he was making the film because he did not have an answer to the question ''Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka'', while the producer characterized the forthcoming release as an ambitious fantasy project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mishan |first=Ligaya |date=2021-11-23 |title=Hayao Miyazaki Prepares to Cast One Last Spell |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/t-magazine/hayao-miyazaki-studio-ghibli.html |access-date=2023-09-13 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123121100/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/t-magazine/hayao-miyazaki-studio-ghibli.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2022, Hoshino mentioned during a press conference that the production of the film had progressed quite smoothly, even during the pandemic, and was nearing completion. Hoshino did not specify the exact release date for the film but added that it would "indeed be Miyazaki's final film".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raup |first=Jordan |date=2022-10-27 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's Next Feature How Do You Live? is Nearly Complete |url=https://thefilmstage.com/hayao-miyazakis-next-feature-how-do-you-live-is-nearly-complete/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208005850/https://thefilmstage.com/hayao-miyazakis-next-feature-how-do-you-live-is-nearly-complete/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2022, [[Takuya Kimura]], who voiced Howl in ''[[Howl's Moving Castle (film)|Howl's Moving Castle]]'', "hinted" that he was in the film with a post on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-15 |title=キムタク＆ジブリ公式が「意味深投稿」 新作映画めぐり匂わせ？ファン期待「確定演出な気がする」 |url=https://www.j-cast.com/2022/12/15452552.html |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=J-CAST ニュース |language=ja |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714051651/https://www.j-cast.com/2022/12/15452552.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Suzuki considered ''The Boy and the Heron'' to be the most expensive film ever produced in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ジブリ・鈴木敏夫氏「君たちはどう生きるか」制作費に言及 '規格外'の金額に共演者「そんなに...」 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 芸能 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2023/08/10/kiji/20230810s00041000600000c.html |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex |language=ja |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813105755/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2023/08/10/kiji/20230810s00041000600000c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The production timeline spanned approximately seven years, comprising two and a half years dedicated to pre-production activities and about five years for the production phase.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-09 |title=(2ページ目)次回作は「あるんじゃないんですか」 鈴木敏夫さんが語る「君たちはどう生きるか」 |url=https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/198183 |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=AERA dot. (アエラドット) |language=ja |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813105759/https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/198183 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2023, Suzuki clarified that the novel is not related to the film beyond inspiring the title.<ref name="VarietyJune5">{{Cite web |last=Schilling |first=Mark |date=2023-06-05 |title=Miyazaki Hayao's Final Film 'How Do You Live': Maximum Secrecy to Be Maintained Until Release |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/miyazaki-hayao-final-film-how-do-you-live-secrecy-1235632765/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606055422/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/miyazaki-hayao-final-film-how-do-you-live-secrecy-1235632765/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |title=【冒頭30分】鈴木敏夫×新谷学「鈴木敏夫はどう生きるか」 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cma9endnMNE |access-date=2023-06-21 |language=ja |trans-title=[Opening 30 minutes] Toshio Suzuki x Manabu Shintani "How does Toshio Suzuki live?" |publisher=文藝春秋 電子版 |date=June 2, 2023 |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604234138/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cma9endnMNE |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[GKIDS]] managed casting for the English version in collaboration with Studio Ghibli, adhering to the [[SAG-AFTRA]] Foreign Dubbing Agreement during the [[2023 SAG-AFTRA strike]]. The dub was directed by [[Michael Sinterniklaas]] at [[NYAV Post]], and [[Stephanie Sheh]] wrote the English script.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron Film Reveals English Dub Cast |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-17/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-film-reveals-english-dub-cast/.203534 |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017231343/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-17/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-film-reveals-english-dub-cast/.203534 |url-status=live }}</ref> The English cast, unveiled on October 17, features [[Christian Bale]], [[Dave Bautista]], [[Gemma Chan]], [[Willem Dafoe]], [[Karen Fukuhara]], [[Mark Hamill]], [[Robert Pattinson]] and [[Florence Pugh]].<ref name="dub">{{Cite web |last=Wu |first=Valerie |date=2023-10-17 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' Announces English Voice Cast: Christian Bale, Florence Pugh and Robert Pattinson to Star |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-robert-pattinson-florence-pugh-1235758367/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017162930/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-robert-pattinson-florence-pugh-1235758367/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Themes==
''The Boy and the Heron'' has autobiographical features.{{efn|[[GKIDS]] advertised the film as a "semi-autobiographical fantasy about life, death, and creation, in tribute to friendship, from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Boy and the Heron |url=https://gkids.com/films/the-boy-and-the-heron/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=GKIDS Films |language=en-US |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913050931/https://gkids.com/films/the-boy-and-the-heron/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} The protagonist, Mahito Maki, mirrors Miyazaki's childhood. Miyazaki's father, like Mahito's father, was employed by a company involved in the manufacturing of fighter plane components. Additionally, Miyazaki's family had to evacuate from the city to the countryside during the war.<ref name="THRFirstReact">{{Cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |date=2023-07-15 |title=First Reactions to Hayao Miyazaki's Final Film, 'The Boy and the Heron,' Begin to Emerge From Japan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/first-reactions-hayao-miyazaki-studio-ghibli-the-boy-and-the-heron-1235536910/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907093741/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/first-reactions-hayao-miyazaki-studio-ghibli-the-boy-and-the-heron-1235536910/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The hospital fire at the beginning of the film evokes personal parallels with Miyazaki's loss of his mother,<ref name="Indiewire-GKIDS" /> who was known for her strong opinions and is believed to have been a source of inspiration for several of the director's female characters. Mahito's emotional connection with his mother parallels Miyazaki's love for his mother.<ref name="JT" /> The [[BBC]] defined the film as "a [[coming-of-age tale]] in which a child must overcome his selfishness and learn to live for others."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-14 |last=Schley |first=Matt |title=How Do You Live: Hayao Miyazaki releases mystery final film |language=en-GB |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66197993 |access-date=2023-07-14 |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714062307/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66197993 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Suzuki spoke of Miyazaki's desire to create the film based on personal experiences and relationships when he proposed it in 2016. He was initially taken aback, given Miyazaki's avoidance of highly personal themes. The narrative is inspired by Miyazaki's (Mahito) professional relationships with [[Isao Takahata]] (Granduncle) and Suzuki (Heron), and integrates themes of destruction, reconstruction and imagination. Following Takahata's death in 2018, revisions were made to the film, shifting the focus from the Granduncle to the relationship between Mahito and Heron. Suzuki observed that Miyazaki's storytelling choices were deeply influenced by the memories shared between him and Miyazaki.<ref name="IndieWire-Direction">{{Cite web |last=Desowitz |first=Bill |date=2023-11-22 |title={{-'}}The Boy and the Heron' Is So Personal, Hayao Miyazaki Needed a Year to Grieve Before Pivoting in a New Direction |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/boy-and-the-heron-miyazaki-anime-ghibli-1234927630/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122162444/https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/boy-and-the-heron-miyazaki-anime-ghibli-1234927630/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Taichiro Yoshino, the grandson of Genzaburō Yoshino, confessed to being somewhat bewildered by the film's messages. He also mentioned a meeting he had attended at Studio Ghibli's offices in 2017, during which Miyazaki articulated his intention to create the film and reminisced about his past works, primarily featuring cheerful and optimistic male protagonists, and contrasted them with his perception of boys as complex individuals. Miyazaki aimed to depict a protagonist who grapples with inner conflicts and insecurities, emphasizing the transformative power of overcoming personal challenges. Yoshino drew a distinction between ''The Boy and the Heron'' and ''Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka'' as separate works, yet highlighted their shared central theme—how individuals navigate and come to terms with a world characterized by strife and loss.<ref name="Asahi" /><ref name="THRFirstReact"/>

The film contains the message of creating "a world without conflict with your own hands."<ref name="Asahi">{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2023 |script-title=ja:「君たちはどう生きるか」宮崎駿監督が、新作映画について語っていたこと。そして吉野源三郎のこと｜好書好日 |trans-title=What "How Do You Live?" Director Hayao Miyazaki had to say about his new film. And about Genzaburo Yoshino |url=https://book.asahi.com/article/14953353 |access-date=July 14, 2023 |website=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] |language=ja |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714002403/https://book.asahi.com/article/14953353 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''[[The Japan Times]]'', Miyazaki's faith in children's potential to surpass previous generations under challenging circumstances is exemplified in the film's Japanese title, which offers children a choice between emulating the chaos of Japan's past war or forging a better path, and thus demonstrates the "continued optimism" that serves as the "greatest testament" to the director's imagination.<ref name="JT">{{Cite web |last=Schley |first=Matt |date=2023-07-18 |title={{-'}}The Boy and the Heron': It's so good to be back in Hayao Miyazaki's world |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/07/18/films/film-reviews/the-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=[[The Japan Times]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722112916/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/07/18/films/film-reviews/the-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' noted that the film retains elements of the book that emphasize the theme of spiritual growth. The film, open to diverse interpretations, fundamentally conveys resilience in the face of conflict and grief, while advocating for the cultivation of meaningful friendships and trustworthy alliances, ultimately promoting progress and fostering "humanity and understanding to the world."<ref name="THRreview">{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=2023-09-08 |title={{-'}}The Boy and the Heron' Review: Hayao Miyazaki Emerges From Retirement With a Profoundly Personal Swan Song |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-1235581958/ |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908140017/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-1235581958/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[IndieWire]]''{{'}}s analysis argues that the film weaves together various thematic layers and tonal elements drawn from Miyazaki's past work. It draws attention to the film's departure from the conventional children's genre, instead aligning more closely with the "violent" style of ''[[Princess Mononoke]]'' rather than the "cuddly charm" of ''[[My Neighbor Totoro]]'', with the exception of the Warawara characters.<ref name="Indiewire-GKIDS" />

A review on [[RogerEbert.com]] asserts that the film's narrative explores themes of "acceptance, redemption, and the power of creation", drawing explicit connections between Miyazaki's youthful inspirations and his hopes of inspiring others over four decades. The film delves into the juxtaposition of life and death, wherein childhood and the end of life can serve as reflective counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tallerico |first=Brian |title=TIFF 2023: The Boy and the Heron, We Grown Now, Unicorns {{!}} Festivals & Awards {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/tiff-2023-the-boy-and-the-heron-we-grown-now-unicorns |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=RogerEbert.com |date=September 9, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910101829/https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/tiff-2023-the-boy-and-the-heron-we-grown-now-unicorns |url-status=live }}</ref> As highlighted by ''Unseen Japan'', the film's themes make the viewer reflect on their role in a world marked by violence and uncertainty, their obligations to future generations and their connection to their ancestors.<ref name="Unseen">{{Cite web |last=Oskow |first=Noah |date=2023-07-14 |title=Review: With Miyazaki's New 'How Do You Live/The Boy and the Heron', a Master Returns |url=https://unseen-japan.com/review-miyazakis-new-how-do-you-live/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Unseen Japan |language=en-US |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914131423/https://unseen-japan.com/review-miyazakis-new-how-do-you-live/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This view is shared by some publications, commenting that Miyazaki's recurring exploration of mortality and the aftermath of profound loss is a central theme in the film, showing the importance of everyday choices and depicting a journey of self-discovery and the search for meaning amidst the uncertainties of life,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Okun |first=Alanna |date=2023-12-08 |title=The Boy and the Heron treats growing up with the seriousness it deserves |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2023/12/8/23991174/the-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki-studio-ghibli |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Vox |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212170118/https://www.vox.com/culture/2023/12/8/23991174/the-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki-studio-ghibli |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Jackson |date=2023-12-09 |title=The Boy and the Heron has a beautiful, secret backstory |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/boy-and-the-heron-review-1.7053395 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=CBC News |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212170118/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/boy-and-the-heron-review-1.7053395 |url-status=live }}</ref> and underlining the film's open-ended approach, in contrast to the book, which is centered on the moral development of adolescent boys. The narrative imparts various moral lessons but centers on an "impassioned plea" from an aging master (Granduncle) to his descendants, emphasizing the urgency of their tasks as time passes quickly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kronman |first=Cole |date=2023-09-29 |title={{-'}}The Boy and the Heron' Review: Finding Truth in the Unreal |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-miyazaki-hayao/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030190324/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-miyazaki-hayao/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

For ''[[Nikkei Asia]]'', the primary emotional driver in the film is the yearning for a mother's presence. This emotion fuels the narrative, occasionally diverting into adventures involving fantastical creatures. Mahito's father marries Hisako's sister, evoking significant [[Freudian]] undertones. Miyazaki emphasizes the child's perspective, sometimes with quasi-sexual elements, as seen in encounters with frogs. Such moments, though evocative, are brief and dreamlike. The film stands as one of Miyazaki's less textured works, focusing on Mahito's mission to save his mother and stepmother, emblematic of Miyazaki's recurring theme of worthiness.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hayao Miyazaki's farewell film may be his most personal |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Arts/Hayao-Miyazaki-s-farewell-film-may-be-his-most-personal |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=[[Nikkei Asia]] |publisher=[[Nikkei, Inc.]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912135203/https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Arts/Hayao-Miyazaki-s-farewell-film-may-be-his-most-personal |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Fiction Horizon'' referred to Mahito as resonant and inspiring, associating these traits with his resilience, vulnerability, and transformative growth.<ref name="FH">{{cite web|url=https://fictionhorizon.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-meet-mahito-maki/|title=The Boy And The Heron: Meet Mahito Maki, The Film's Protagonist|author=Milaković, Hrvoje|publisher=Fiction Horizon|date=December 25, 2023|accessdate=December 25, 2023|archive-date=December 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225171313/https://fictionhorizon.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-meet-mahito-maki/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'' noted that despite the serious narrative of the multi-themed film, it deliberately includes scenes of bird droppings, which provides comic relief, and which it felt were in line with Miyazaki's broader message about the messy and natural aspects of life as opposed to the oppressive order of [[Imperial Japan]] depicted in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grebey |first=James |date=2023-12-08 |title=The Boy and the Heron Is the Year's Poopiest Movie |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/boy-and-the-heron-bird-poop-explained.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Vulture |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212170118/https://www.vulture.com/article/boy-and-the-heron-bird-poop-explained.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Music==
{{Main|Music of The Boy and the Heron{{!}}Music of ''The Boy and the Heron''}}
The film score was composed by Miyazaki's longtime collaborator [[Joe Hisaishi]].<ref name="Cast">{{cite web |date=July 14, 2023 |script-title=ja:「君たちはどう生きるか」ストーリー、声優、主題歌が明らかに |trans-title=Story, voice actors, and theme song revealed for "How Do You Live?" |url=https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/532717 |access-date=July 14, 2023 |website=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |publisher=Natasha, Inc. |language=ja |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714052605/https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/532717 |url-status=live}}</ref> The soundtrack, consisting of 37 songs, was released in Japan on August 9, 2023, by Tokuma Japan Communications.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ja:宮崎駿監督「君たちはどう生きるか」久石譲が音楽担当 主題歌の存在も明らかに |trans-title=Hayao Miyazaki's "How Do You Live?" with music by Joe Hisaishi, theme song also revealed |url=https://eiga.com/news/20230704/10/ |website=Eiga.com |date=July 4, 2023 |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714062724/https://eiga.com/news/20230704/10/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=「君たちはどう生きるか」 サウンドトラック / 「君たちはどう生きるか」 サウンドトラック - 徳間ジャパン |url=https://www.tkma.co.jp/new_release_detail/id=15858 |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Tokuma Japan Communications |publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]] |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725164316/https://www.tkma.co.jp/new_release_detail/id=15858 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kenshi Yonezu]] was in charge of the theme song, titled {{nihongo|"Chikyūgi"|地球儀||{{lit}} "Globe"}} in Japan<ref name="Cast"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Pineda |first=Rafael Antonio |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Kenshi Yonezu Performs Theme Song for Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live? Film |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-07-13/kenshi-yonezu-performs-theme-song-for-hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-film/.200278 |access-date=July 14, 2023 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714063318/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-07-13/kenshi-yonezu-performs-theme-song-for-hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-film/.200278 |url-status=live }}</ref> and "[[Spinning Globe]]" internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussey |first=Allison |date=2023-07-17 |title=Listen to the Theme Song for Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-the-theme-song-for-hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718205038/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-the-theme-song-for-hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Yonezu's first visit to Studio Ghibli in 2018 led to his collaboration with Miyazaki, driven by his composition of "[[Paprika (Foorin song)|Paprika]]" for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Suzuki witnessed Miyazaki singing the song with children at Ghibli's nursery school, and the director approved the composition after reviewing a demo recording. Yonezu, shown storyboards and provided with project details, engaged in a five-year creative process with Miyazaki and Suzuki, resulting in the completion of the musical composition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-12 |title=Singer-Songwriter Kenshi Yonezu Talks About Working With Boy and The Heron Director Hayao Miyazaki |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2023-08-16/singer-songwriter-kenshi-yonezu-talks-about-working-with-boy-and-the-heron-director-hayao-miyazaki/.201269 |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822132453/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2023-08-16/singer-songwriter-kenshi-yonezu-talks-about-working-with-boy-and-the-heron-director-hayao-miyazaki/.201269 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Release==
===Theatrical===
On December 13, 2022, [[Toho]] declared that ''The Boy and the Heron'' would be released theatrically in Japan on July 14, 2023.<ref name=Toho>{{cite web |script-title=ja:君たちはどう生きるか |trans-title=How Do You Live? |url=https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup?modal_open=kimitachihadouikiruka |publisher=Toho |access-date=January 28, 2023 |language=ja |script-quote=ja:原作・脚本・監督　宮﨑 駿 |trans-quote=Original story, script, director: Hayao Miyazaki |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128233130/https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup?modal_open=kimitachihadouikiruka |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hodgkins |first=Crystalyn |date=December 13, 2022 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live? Film Opens in Japan on July 14, 2023 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-13/hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-film-opens-in-japan-on-july-14-2023/.192872 |access-date=December 13, 2022 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213080632/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-13/hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-film-opens-in-japan-on-july-14-2023/.192872 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 13, 2022 |script-title=ja:東宝2023年以降のラインナップ発表、宮崎駿の新作は「超大作であることは間違いない」 |trans-title=Toho announces lineup for 2023, Hayao Miyazaki's new work is 'no doubt a blockbuster' |url=https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/504894 |access-date=December 13, 2022 |website=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |publisher=Natasha, Inc. |language=ja |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092307/https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/504894 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released in Japan without any traditional marketing campaign, with no trailers or promotional stills of the film released before its premiere with the exception of a single poster. The decision to do so came from Suzuki, who opted to eschew traditional marketing methods due to concerns about over-revealing film content, in response to what he believed to be a fundamental preference among moviegoers for a more enigmatic cinematic experience.<ref name="THR">{{Cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |title=Studio Ghibli to Release Hayao Miyazaki's Final Film 'How Do You Live?' With No Trailer, No Promotional Marketing |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-final-film-trailer-marketing-1235507079/ |date=2023-06-04 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605032222/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-final-film-trailer-marketing-1235507079/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pulver |first=Andrew |date=2023-06-05 |title=Studio Ghibli to release Hayao Miyazaki's final film with no trailers or promotion |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jun/05/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-final-film-how-do-you-live-no-trailers-promotion |access-date=2023-07-09 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=July 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707195824/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jun/05/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-final-film-how-do-you-live-no-trailers-promotion |url-status=live}}</ref> The cast and crew were kept largely undisclosed until the release date.<ref>{{Cite web |title=一切宣伝なしの異例「君たちはどう生きるか」宮崎駿の現在の心境は？鈴木敏夫が明かす |url=https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/530619 |date=June 28, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=映画ナタリー |publisher=Natalie |language=ja |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714065843/https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/530619 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the preview screening held in late February 2023, where strict confidentiality measures were in place, a message from Miyazaki was read out following the end credits, saying, "Perhaps you didn't understand it. I myself don't understand it."<ref name="Asahi" /><ref name="THRFirstReact" /> On June 29, 2023, during the opening day of {{ill|Friday Road Show|ja|金曜ロードショー}} and Ghibli Exhibition Tokyo 2023,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://jw-webmagazine.com/friday-road-show-and-ghibli-exhibition/ | title=Friday Road Show and Ghibli Exhibition Tokyo 2023 | date=June 29, 2023 | access-date=July 2, 2023 | archive-date=July 2, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702134709/https://jw-webmagazine.com/friday-road-show-and-ghibli-exhibition/ | url-status=live}}</ref> Speaking publicly on how Miyazaki was "worried" over the lack of publicity for the film, Suzuki said that he trusted the work behind it and believed it is best for the film.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/6/28/hayao-miyazaki-worried-about-lack-of-publicity-for-how-do-you-live-anime-film | title=Hayao Miyazaki Worried About Lack of Publicity for How Do You Live? Anime Film |website=[[Crunchyroll]] |last=Harding |first=Daryl |date=June 28, 2023 | access-date=July 2, 2023 | archive-date=July 2, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702134709/https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/6/28/hayao-miyazaki-worried-about-lack-of-publicity-for-how-do-you-live-anime-film | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2284730/full/ | script-title=ja:宮崎駿監督、最新作"宣伝ナシ"を心配「大丈夫かなぁ」 鈴木敏夫Pが明かす |trans-title=Hayao Miyazaki worried about the lack of publicity for his latest work: "I wonder if it will be OK," reveals Toshio Suzuki |publisher=[[Oricon]] | date=June 28, 2023 | access-date=July 2, 2023 | archive-date=July 2, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702134709/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2284730/full/ | url-status=live}}</ref> It is the first Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki film to have a simultaneous release on [[IMAX]], as well as other high-end formats like [[Dolby Atmos]], Dolby Cinema, and [[DTS:X]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |date=2023-07-10 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'How Do You Live?' Will Be First Ghibli Film to Get a Simultaneous Imax Release |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazakis-how-do-you-live-imax-release-1235531768/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710071555/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazakis-how-do-you-live-imax-release-1235531768/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-08 |last=Carter |first=Justin |title=How Do You Live? Will Be Studio Ghibli's First IMAX Film |url=https://gizmodo.com/how-do-you-live-studio-ghibli-imax-release-1850618453 |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=[[Gizmodo]] |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710071324/https://gizmodo.com/how-do-you-live-studio-ghibli-imax-release-1850618453 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-08 |last=McCullough |first=Hayley |title=Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live? Is the First Studio Ghibli Movie Ever Released in IMAX |url=https://www.cbr.com/hayao-miyazakis-how-do-you-live-is-the-first-studio-ghibli-movie-ever-released-in-imax/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710071327/https://www.cbr.com/hayao-miyazakis-how-do-you-live-is-the-first-studio-ghibli-movie-ever-released-in-imax/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The film was [[Film finance#Pre-sales|pre-sold]] overseas with no concrete release date.<ref name="VarietyJune5"/> Goodfellas, formerly known as [[Wild Bunch (company)|Wild Bunch International]], served as the sales agent for the film's distribution.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosser |first=Michael |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy And The Heron' lands UK-Ireland distribution |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-lands-uk-ireland-distribution/5185852.article |date=2023-09-12 |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Screen Daily |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927075357/https://www.screendaily.com/news/hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-lands-uk-ireland-distribution/5185852.article |url-status=live}}</ref> Upon the film's release in Japan, the North American rights were acquired by distributor GKIDS, making it the widest film release in the company's 15-year history.<ref name="Indiewire-GKIDS">{{Cite web |last=Welk |first=Brian |date=2023-09-08 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' Is Studio Ghibli and GKIDS' Biggest Marketing Challenge Yet |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/business/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-studio-ghibli-gkids-marketing-challenge-interview-1234903795/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908230012/https://www.indiewire.com/news/business/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-studio-ghibli-gkids-marketing-challenge-interview-1234903795/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Internationally titled ''The Boy and the Heron'', it was screened in special previews on November 22 ahead of its theatrical United States release on December 8, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=2023-07-14 |title=Miyazaki Hayao's Final Film to Be Known as 'The Boy and the Heron,' Sets North America Release|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/miyazaki-hayao-film-the-boy-and-the-heron-1235670270/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714161515/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/miyazaki-hayao-film-the-boy-and-the-heron-1235670270/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Vlessing |first1=Etan |title=Boy Pursues Late Mother in Hayao Miyazaki's Animated 'The Boy and the Heron' Trailer |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazakis-boy-and-the-heron-trailer-1235582832/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=6 September 2023 |date=6 September 2023 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907144613/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazakis-boy-and-the-heron-trailer-1235582832/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mateo |first=Alex |title=Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron Film Opens in N. American Theaters/IMAX on December 8 with Preview Screenings on November 22 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-06/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-film-opens-in-n-american-theaters-imax-on-december-8-with-/.202033 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |date=September 7, 2023 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909070033/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-06/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-film-opens-in-n-american-theaters-imax-on-december-8-with-/.202033 |url-status=live}}</ref> The first photos from the film were published in the theater pamphlets distributed by Ghibli on August 11.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-07 |title=ジブリ新作『君たちはどう生きるか』情報解禁へ 劇場パンフレット、ついに11日発売決定 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2290003/full/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=ORICON NEWS |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810012505/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2290003/full/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-07 |title=宮﨑駿『君たちはどう生きるか』のパンフレット、内容未発表のまま発売へ |url=https://kai-you.net/article/87431 |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=KAI-YOU.net |language=ja |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807224728/https://kai-you.net/article/87431 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Emlyn |title=Hayao Miyazaki's secretive 'The Boy and the Heron' reveals 14 photos |url=https://ew.com/movies/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-photos/ |date=August 18, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=EW.com |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822051239/https://ew.com/movies/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-photos/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film had its international premiere at the [[2023 Toronto International Film Festival]] as its opening film on September 7, becoming the first animated film in history to open the festival<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=July 27, 2023 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' to Open Toronto Film Festival Amid Strikes |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-toronto-premiere-2023-1235546184/ |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727141823/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-toronto-premiere-2023-1235546184/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2023-07-27 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' Will Open the Toronto Film Festival |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/07/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-open-the-toronto-film-festival-awards-insider |access-date=2023-08-01 |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727143110/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/07/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-open-the-toronto-film-festival-awards-insider |url-status=live}}</ref> and the festival's "strongest opening night film in decades".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hertz |first=Barry |date=2023-09-08 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's dreamy The Boy and the Heron gives TIFF its strongest opening night film in decades |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/tiff/article-hayao-miyazakis-dreamy-the-boy-and-the-heron-gives-tiff-its-strongest/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-09-09 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908200106/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/tiff/article-hayao-miyazakis-dreamy-the-boy-and-the-heron-gives-tiff-its-strongest/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was also shown at the [[71st San Sebastián International Film Festival]], the [[2023 New York Film Festival]], the [[56th Sitges Film Festival]] and the [[2023 Vancouver International Film Festival|42nd Vancouver International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' to Open San Sebastian Film Festival |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-open-san-sebastian-film-festival-2023-1235568713/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 17, 2023 |access-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818031035/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-open-san-sebastian-film-festival-2023-1235568713/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |title=New York Film Festival Unveils Spotlight Slate With 'The Boy and the Heron' and Garth Davis' 'Foe' Starring Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2023-ny-film-festival-spotlight-lineup-1235568774/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 17, 2023 |access-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817153234/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2023-ny-film-festival-spotlight-lineup-1235568774/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/festivals-56th-edition-kicks-announcing-its-complete-lineup|website=[[Sitges Film Festival]]|date=12 September 2023|title=The Festival's 56th Edition Kicks Off by Announcing its Complete Lineup|access-date=September 17, 2023|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918072027/https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/festivals-56th-edition-kicks-announcing-its-complete-lineup|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gregory |first1=Allie |title=Vancouver International Film Festival Announces 2023 Lineup of Films, Live Events and More |url=https://exclaim.ca/film/article/vancouver_international_film_festival_announces_2023_lineup |publisher=Exclaim |access-date=8 October 2023 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211224652/https://exclaim.ca/film/article/vancouver_international_film_festival_announces_2023_lineup |url-status=live}}</ref>

Studio Ghibli granted promotional control to GKIDS for the American release, leading GKIDS to adapt a new marketing strategy, including the release of a teaser trailer in advance of the film's international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, to reach a wider audience while preserving Ghibli's branding and integrity.<ref name="Indiewire-GKIDS"/> At the international premiere, where the director [[Guillermo del Toro]] introduced the film at its gala presentation,{{efn|Miyazaki refrained from attending the world premiere and participating in promotional activities for the film in Japan, reportedly due to his age and "in an effort to raise the [film's] mystique". [[Cameron Bailey]] asked del Toro to present the film.<ref name="DeadlineDT">{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2023-09-08 |title=Guillermo Del Toro Makes Surprise Appearance At Toronto Film Festival For 'The Boy And The Heron' |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/tiff-2023-guillermo-del-toro-the-boy-and-the-heron-1235539916/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Deadline |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909001852/https://deadline.com/2023/09/tiff-2023-guillermo-del-toro-the-boy-and-the-heron-1235539916/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Indiewire-GKIDS" />}}<ref name="DeadlineDT" /> Studio Ghibli's Vice President Junichi Nishioka said that, contrary to rumors of retirement, Ghibli did not consider ''The Boy and the Heron'' to be Miyazaki's final film, and that Miyazaki is developing ideas for a new film and maintains a daily presence at his office, dispelling any notions of retirement. He said that Studio Ghibli did not envisage this film as a contender in award competitions and rejects the notion of associating films with wins or losses, and that Miyazaki's primary aim is for the audience to watch and enjoy the film.<ref name="Indiewire-GKIDS" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pugh |first=Joseph |date=2023-09-08 |title=Famed animator Hayao Miyazaki might not be done making films, says Studio Ghibli VP |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/miyazaki-still-working-1.6960501 |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=CBC News |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908221120/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/miyazaki-still-working-1.6960501 |url-status=live}}</ref> Suzuki reiterated Nishioka's statement about Miyazaki's next project in October 2023, saying that Miyazaki has already moved on from ''The Boy and the Heron'' and is thinking about his new film every day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |date=2023-10-03 |title=Hayao Miyazaki Is Already Working On His Next Film |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/hayao-miyazaki-is-already-working-on-his-next-film |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=IGN |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004014034/https://www.ign.com/articles/hayao-miyazaki-is-already-working-on-his-next-film |url-status=live}}</ref> Later in the same month, the official guidebook for the film was released, showing behind-the-scenes featurettes such as interviews, roundtable discussions and storyboards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=君たちはどう生きるか：公式ガイドブックが10月27日発売 宮崎駿監督の企画書 本田雄×山下明彦×井上俊之×安藤雅司アニメーター座談会 全キャストインタビューも |url=https://mantan-web.jp/article/20231013dog00m200013000c.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=MANTANWEB（まんたんウェブ） |language=ja-JP |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018083651/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20231013dog00m200013000c.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
''The Boy and the Heron'' was released in Japan on [[DVD]], [[Blu-ray]], and [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] on July 3, 2024, by [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment|Walt Disney Japan]]. It is the first 4K release for a Studio Ghibli film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghibli.jp/info/013830/|title=宮﨑駿監督最新作「君たちはどう生きるか」の4K UHD/ブルーレイ/DVDの発売が7月3日に発売されます。|trans-title=The 4K UHD/Blu-ray/DVD of director Hayao Miyazaki's latest film "How Do You Live?" will be released on July 3rd.|language=ja|location=|publisher=[[Studio Ghibli]]|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=May 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523212131/https://www.ghibli.jp/info/013830/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.waltdisneystudios.jp/kimitachi|title=君たちはどう生きるか｜スタジオジブリ｜ディズニー公式|trans-title=How Do You Live?｜Studio Ghibli｜Disney Official|language=ja|publisher=[[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment|Walt Disney Japan]]|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426021939/https://www.waltdisneystudios.jp/kimitachi|url-status=live}}</ref> In North America, it was released by GKIDS and [[Shout! Studios]] on the same formats on July 9, preceded by a digital release on June 25<ref>{{Cite web |last=Massoto |first=Erick |date=2024-04-29 |title={{-'}}The Boy and the Heron' Becomes First-Ever Studio Ghibli Title Released in 4K UHD |url=https://collider.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-4k-uhd-blu-ray-release-date/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430001308/https://collider.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-4k-uhd-blu-ray-release-date/ |archive-date=2024-04-30 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Collider}}</ref> and followed by a streaming release on [[Max (streaming service)|Max]] on September 6.<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Spangler | first=Todd | title=''The Boy and the Heron'' Streaming Release Date Set on Max | magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=2024-07-24 | url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/the-boy-and-the-heron-streaming-date-max-1236082855/ | access-date=2024-09-08 | archive-date=July 27, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727225002/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/the-boy-and-the-heron-streaming-date-max-1236082855/ | url-status=live}}</ref> It was released on [[Netflix]] in territories outside the US and Japan on October 7.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=2024-03-21 |title=Oscar Winner 'The Boy and the Heron' Heading to Netflix Outside U.S. and Japan |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/oscar-the-boy-and-the-heron-netflix-1235948075/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321143154/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/oscar-the-boy-and-the-heron-netflix-1235948075/ |archive-date=2024-03-21 |url-status=live |access-date=2024-04-10 |magazine=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title={{-'}}The Boy and the Heron' to Stream on Netflix Around the World Starting October 7 |url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/the-boy-and-the-heron-to-stream-on-netflix-around-the-world |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=About Netflix |language=en}}</ref>

==Reception==

===Box office===
{| class="wikitable" align="right"
|+
! Date
! Tickets sold
! Gross ({{JPY}})
! Gross ({{USD}})<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Boy and the Heron - Japanese Weekend |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3516957441/weekend/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731001300/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3516957441/weekend/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
! {{Refh}}
|-
| Jul 16
| {{n/a}}
| {{JPY|1.8 billion}}
| {{USD|13.2 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="THRdebut">{{Cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |date=2023-07-18 |title=Box Office: Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' Opens Strong in Japan (Despite No Marketing) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-opens-strong-in-japan-1235538620/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718062743/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-opens-strong-in-japan-1235538620/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Jul 18
| 1.35 million
| {{JPY|2.1 billion}}
| {{USD|15.2 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="DS2.14">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-31 |title=「君たちはどう生きるか」興収２１・４億円突破 初動４日間は「千と千尋」超え |trans-title=The box office revenue for 'How Do You Live?' surpasses 2.14 billion yen, exceeding the first four days of 'Spirited Away' |url=https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2023/07/19/0016601085.shtml |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=[[Daily Sports (Japanese newspaper)|Daily Sports]] |language=ja |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730190736/https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2023/07/19/0016601085.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Jul 24
| 2.3 million
| {{JPY|3.6 billion}}
| {{USD|25.5 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-24 |title=ジブリ新作『君たちはどう生きるか』興収36億円突破 週末動員ランキングは2位に 前週比＋約15億円 |trans-title=Ghibli's new film "How Do You Live?" grossed over 3.6 billion yen and ranked 2nd in the weekend attendance ranking, up approximately 1.5 billion yen from the previous week |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2287922/full/ |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=ORICON NEWS |language=ja |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728155456/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2287922/full/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Jul 31
| 3.0 million
| {{JPY|4.7 billion}}
| {{USD|33.2 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="ORICON4.6">{{Cite web |title=ジブリ新作『君たちはどう生きるか』興収46億円突破、前週比＋10億円 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2289043/full/ |trans-title=Ghibli's new film "How Do You Live" grossed over 4.6 billion yen, up 1 billion yen from the previous week |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=ORICON NEWS |language=ja |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731081439/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2289043/full/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Aug 7
| 3.6 million
| {{JPY|5.5 billion}}
| {{USD|38.7 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="ORICON5.4">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-07 |title=ジブリ新作『君たちはどう生きるか』興収54億円突破 前週比＋8億円 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2290013/full/ |trans-title=Ghibli's new film "How Do You Live?" grossed over 5.4 billion yen, up 800 million yen from the previous week |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=ORICON NEWS |archive-date=August 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808015347/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2290013/full/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Aug 14
| 4.1 million
| {{JPY|6.2 billion}}
| {{USD|43.0 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="ORICON6.2">{{Cite web |title=ジブリ新作『君たちはどう生きるか』公開1ヶ月で興収62億円突破 前週比＋8億円 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2290786/full/ |access-date=2023-08-14 |trans-title=Ghibli's new film "How Do You Live?" grossed over 6.2 billion yen in its first month of release, up 800 million yen from the previous week |website=ORICON NEWS |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816005007/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2290786/full/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Aug 21
| 4.6 million
| {{JPY|6.9 billion}}
| {{USD|48.0 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="ORICON6.9">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=ジブリ新作『君たちはどう生きるか』興収69億円突破 前週比＋7億円 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2291648/full/ |trans-title=Ghibli's new film "How Do You Live?" grossed over 6.9 billion yen, up 700 million yen from the previous week |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ORICON NEWS |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821074856/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2291648/full/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Aug 28
| 4.9 million
| {{JPY|7.4 billion}}
| {{USD|50.6 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="ORICON7.4">{{Cite web |title=映画ランキング：『ＭEＧ 2』1位、『Ｇメン』2位初登場 『THE FIRST SLAM DUNK』が8位に |trans-title=Movie Ranking: "MEG 2" Takes 1st Place, "G Men" Debuts at 2nd Place, "THE FIRST SLAM DUNK" Ranks 8th |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2292536/full/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=ORICON NEWS |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829080731/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2292536/full/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Sep 4
| 5.1 million
| {{JPY|7.7 billion}}
| {{USD|52.9 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="ANN7.7">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-05 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron Film Earns Over 7.7 Billion Yen |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-04/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-film-earns-over-7.7-billion-yen/.201962 |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906183820/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-04/hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-film-earns-over-7.7-billion-yen/.201962 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Sep 11
| {{n/a}}
| {{JPY|7.9 billion}}
| {{USD|53.8 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="7.96billion">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=君たちはどう生きるか：興収80億円に迫る スタジオジブリ宮崎駿監督の最新作 |url=https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230911dog00m200041000c.html |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=MANTANWEB（まんたんウェブ） |language=ja-JP |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912020608/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230911dog00m200041000c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Sep 18
| 5.5 million
| {{JPY|8.16 billion}}
| {{USD|55.0 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="8.16billion">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-19 |title=君たちはどう生きるか：興収81.6億円 546万人動員 スタジオジブリ宮崎駿監督最新作 |url=https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230919dog00m200049000c.html |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=MANTANWEB（まんたんウェブ） |language=ja-JP |archive-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919095749/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230919dog00m200049000c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Sep 25
| 5.5 million
| {{JPY|8.3 billion}}
| {{USD|55.6 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="8.25billion">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-25 |title=君たちはどう生きるか：興収82.5億円 553万人動員 スタジオジブリ宮崎駿監督最新作 |url=https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230925dog00m200046000c.html |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=MANTANWEB（まんたんウェブ） |language=ja-JP |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925171821/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230925dog00m200046000c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Oct 2
| {{n/a}}
| {{JPY|8.3 billion}}
| {{USD|55.8 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="8.33billion">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=Live-Action Silent Service Film Opens at #2 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-03/live-action-silent-service-film-opens-at-no.2/.203076 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003070856/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-03/live-action-silent-service-film-opens-at-no.2/.203076 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Oct 9
| {{n/a}}
| {{JPY|8.4 billion}}
| {{USD|56.2 million|long=no}}
| align="center" | <ref name="8.4billion">{{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011062053/https://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|}

In Japan, ''The Boy and the Heron'' grossed {{USD|13.2 million}} ({{JPY|1.8 billion}}) in its opening weekend, becoming Studio Ghibli's biggest opening and surpassing ''Howl's Moving Castle''{{'}}s {{JPY|1.5 billion}} debut in 2004. The film earned {{USD|1.7 million}} from 44 IMAX screens, setting a new 3-day record.<ref name="THRdebut"/> It attracted 1.35 million viewers and exceeded {{JPY|2.1 billion}} ({{USD|15.2 million}}) in box office revenue in its first four days.<ref name="DS2.14"/> On September 11, the film became the 20th highest-grossing anime in Japan.<ref name="ANN54">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-12 |title=The Boy and the Heron Surpasses Tales From Earthsea as #20 All-Time Anime Film in Japan |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-12/the-boy-and-the-heron-surpasses-tales-from-earthsea-as-no.20-all-time-anime-film-in-japan/.202252 |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914110444/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-12/the-boy-and-the-heron-surpasses-tales-from-earthsea-as-no.20-all-time-anime-film-in-japan/.202252 |url-status=live }}</ref> It dropped out of the top 10 grossing films for the first time in its thirteenth weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=4th Girls & Panzer das Finale Film Opens at #4 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-12/4th-girls-and-panzer-das-finale-film-opens-at-no.4/.203296 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016201220/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-12/4th-girls-and-panzer-das-finale-film-opens-at-no.4/.203296 |url-status=live }}</ref> The gross amount increased by about one to three hundred thousand yen each week, from ¥8.44 billion on October 15 to ¥8.66 billion on December 24.<ref>{{multiref2|1=¥8.44 billion on October 15: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016090155/https://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|2=¥8.47 billion on October 22: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023121249/https://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|3=¥8.5 billion on October 29: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030081806/http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|4=¥8.52 billion on November 5: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108081358/http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|5=¥8.54 billion on November 12: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=2023-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115141411/http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|6=¥8.56 billion on November 19: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=2023-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121121415/http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|7=¥8.58 billion on November 26: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=2023-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129074402/https://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|8=¥8.6 billion on December 3: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=2023-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204130249/https://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|9=¥8.61 billion on December 10: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=2023-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211202722/https://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|10=¥8.64 billion on December 17: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=2023-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218142212/https://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}|11=¥8.66 billion on December 24: {{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=2023-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225071434/http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}}}</ref> By March 17, 2024, the gross in Japan reached ¥8.98 billion<ref>{{Cite web |title=歴代ランキング |trans-title=Successive Rankings |url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=CINEMAランキング通信 (CINEMA Ranking Tsūshin) |publisher=[[:ja:興行通信社|興行通信社]] (Kogyo Tsūshinsha) |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317083316/http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/ |language=ja |url-status=dead }}</ref> ({{USD|61 million|long=no}}).<ref name=":0" /><ref name="BOM">{{Cite web |title=The Boy and the Heron |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt6587046/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730184713/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt6587046/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NUM">{{Cite web |title=The Boy and the Heron |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Boy-and-the-Heron-The-(2023-Japan) |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730184713/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Boy-and-the-Heron-The-(2023-Japan) |url-status=live }}</ref>

Film journalist Hiroo Ōtaka noted the industry's astonishment at the rapid box office success for the film's unconventional "minimalist promotion" strategy. The achievement has evoked mixed feelings among industry insiders, with distribution representatives expressing concerns to Ōtaka, fearing the challenge of this no-promotion strategy on their livelihoods and the necessity of traditional advertising methods. In addition to this marketing strategy, Ōtaka identified two important aspects of the film's commercial success. The first is that the deliberate approach of leaving the film by itself capitalized on its existing fan base by generating discussion and interaction on social media. He also mentioned Ghibli's earlier works, regularly featured on Friday Road Show for a decade, indirectly promoted the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=大高宏雄 |last2=杉本健太郎 |date=2023-07-21 |title=『君たちはどう生きるか』ヒットに映画関係者も驚く3つの"異変" |trans-title=Three "anomalies" in the success of ''How Do You Live?'' |url=https://www.businessinsider.jp/post-273004 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=BUSINESS INSIDER JAPAN |language=ja |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728155637/https://www.businessinsider.jp/post-273004 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{As of|2024|4|15|df=US}}, the film has grossed {{USD|294.2 million}}.<ref name="Tartaglione 2024"/> It became the first original anime film and Miyazaki's first film to reach number one at the box office in Canada and the United States, opening with {{USD|5.2 million}} and grossing {{USD|12.8 million}} over its first weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |author=[[The Associated Press]] |date=2023-12-10 |title=Hayao Miyazaki tops North American box office for the first time with The Boy and the Heron |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/the-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki-box-office-1.7054867 |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=CBC News |language=en |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210205327/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/the-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki-box-office-1.7054867 |url-status=live }}</ref> In China, the film broke a record for foreign animated films, collecting {{USD|23.7 million}} ({{CNY|link=yes|171.5 million}}) in a single day; it has earned a cumulative {{USD|94 million}} {{As of|2024|04|15|lc=yes|df=us}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |title=China Box Office: ''Boy and the Heron'' Sails to $94M, ''Godzilla x Kong'' Hits $110M |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-box-office-boy-and-the-heron-godzilla-x-kong-1235874038/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=April 15, 2024 |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416095054/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-box-office-boy-and-the-heron-godzilla-x-kong-1235874038/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Critical response===
On [[review aggregator]] site [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 97% of 267 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 8.5 out of 10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Soulfully exploring thought-provoking themes through a beautifully animated lens, ''The Boy and the Heron'' is another Miyazaki masterpiece."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Boy and the Heron |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_boy_and_the_heron |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008235623/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_boy_and_the_heron |url-status=live }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 91 out of 100 based on 55 critic reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Boy and the Heron Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-boy-and-the-heron |website=Metacritic |access-date=2024-01-11 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908030255/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-boy-and-the-heron |url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the English-dubbed version of the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |date=2023-12-09 |title=Box Office: 'The Boy and the Heron' Rises to No. 1 in North America With Projected $10 Million Debut |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/boy-and-the-heron-opening-day-renaissance-hunger-games-1235831800/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115153422/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/boy-and-the-heron-opening-day-renaissance-hunger-games-1235831800/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Although initial reactions to the film were described as "mixed",{{efn|''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' reported that initial Japanese reactions to the film were "mixed but mostly favourable",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shackleton |first=Liz |date=2023-07-17 |title=Critics React To Studio Ghibli's 'The Boy And The Heron'; Hayao Miyazaki's Final Film Described As Mature, Complex & Visually Stunning |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-japan-release-1235439511/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909045332/https://deadline.com/2023/07/studio-ghibli-hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-japan-release-1235439511/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while ''[[Digital Spy]]'' reported that they were "decidedly mixed".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-14 |title=First reviews for Studio Ghibli's mysterious new movie The Boy and the Heron |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44545119/studio-ghibli-how-do-you-live-reviews/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909185251/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44545119/studio-ghibli-how-do-you-live-reviews/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} with reviewers finding it abundantly detailed and laden with meaning,{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="TOJ" /><ref name="FullF" /><ref name="Unseen" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Jamie |date=2023-09-11 |title={{-'}}The Boy And The Heron' Reviews Roundup: Hayao Miyazaki's Latest Gets Unanimous Praise After International Premiere |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/the-boy-and-the-heron-reviews-roundup-hayao-miyazaki-232457.html |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=[[Cartoon Brew]] |language=en-US |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926044922/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/the-boy-and-the-heron-reviews-roundup-hayao-miyazaki-232457.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="THRreview" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title={{-'}}The Boy and The Heron' Review: Miyazaki's Confounding, Cosmic Masterpiece |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-tiff |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=Inverse |language=en |archive-date=September 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918042421/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-tiff |url-status=live }}</ref>}} the film quickly garnered critical acclaim in Japan.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Boy and the Heron |url=https://tiff.net/events/the-boy-and-the-heron |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=[[Toronto International Film Festival]] |language=en |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912205307/https://tiff.net/events/the-boy-and-the-heron |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Steen |first=Emma |date=2023-09-11 |title=Studio Ghibli's latest film 'The Boy and the Heron' finally gets a trailer |url=https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/studio-ghiblis-latest-film-the-boy-and-the-heron-finally-gets-a-trailer-091123 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=[[Time Out Tokyo]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017160920/https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/studio-ghiblis-latest-film-the-boy-and-the-heron-finally-gets-a-trailer-091123 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=2023-10-03 |title={{-'}}Across the Spider-Verse,' 'Elemental' and 'Trolls 3' Directors Announced for Top Animated Contenders Panel at SCAD Savannah Film Fest (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/scad-animated-contenders-elemental-tmnt-across-the-spiderverse-1235743535/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=June 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619224736/https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/scad-animated-contenders-elemental-tmnt-across-the-spiderverse-1235743535/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCall |first=Kevin |date=2023-08-14 |title=First 'The Boy and The Heron' Images Set Up New Studio Ghibli Masterpiece |url=https://collider.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-images/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906231220/https://collider.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-images/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Critics praise Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' as a triumph of animation |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1091757-critics-praise-hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-as-a-triumph-of-animation |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=[[The News International]] |language=en |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719134925/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1091757-critics-praise-hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-as-a-triumph-of-animation |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-18 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' finally gets its U.S. premiere |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-finally-gets-its-u-s-premiere-101692370819312.html |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908071856/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-finally-gets-its-u-s-premiere-101692370819312.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuge |first=Jonathan |date=2023-10-03 |title=The Boy and the Heron Trailer & Posters Tease Studio Ghibli's Acclaimed Fantasy Film |url=https://movieweb.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-trailer-posters-studio-ghibli/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=MovieWeb |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221085723/https://movieweb.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-trailer-posters-studio-ghibli/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Film site ''Eiga Channel'' praised the film as one of Ghibli's finest in terms of visuals and storytelling, but pointed out that non-Ghibli enthusiasts might find the rapid scene transitions confusing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-21 |title=「モヤモヤと困惑、そして圧倒感...」その物語とは？ 宮崎駿『君たちはどう生きるか』速報レビュー。演じる声優など徹底考察 |url=https://eigachannel.jp/j-movie/26110/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=映画チャンネル |language=ja |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718124034/https://eigachannel.jp/j-movie/26110/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Film and culture magazine ''Cinemas+'' observed that the film draws on motifs and characters from throughout Miyazaki's career, embedding them in a narrative that is somewhat darker, more complex, and more personal than many of his works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=【最速レビュー】『君たちはどう生きるか』史上もっとも難解な、宮﨑駿監督の集大成 |url=https://cinema.ne.jp/article/detail/51774/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=CINEMAS＋ |language=ja |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717074258/https://cinema.ne.jp/article/detail/51774 |url-status=live }}</ref> Similarly, ''[[Time Out Japan]]'' hailed the film as "a mature, complex masterpiece, weaving together the director's past, present, and future – a beautiful enigma that promises to be worth the wait."<ref name="TOJ">{{Cite web |last=Steen |first=Emma |date=2023-07-14 |title=First look review: Hayao Miyazaki's 'How Do You Live?' |url=https://www.timeout.com/news/first-look-review-hayao-miyazakis-how-do-you-live-071423 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718005241/https://www.timeout.com/news/first-look-review-hayao-miyazakis-how-do-you-live-071423 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cezary Jan Strusiewicz from ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' found the fantasy elements to be "absolutely beautiful, and they naturally include shots of the classic impossibly delicious-looking Ghibli food", and wrote that people "can watch this movie over and over, always finding something new and exciting in it". He stated that there is a nostalgic longing for the past that evokes the impression of a director reflecting on their career before stepping away, and this underlines "the makings of a perfect [[swan song]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strusiewicz |first=Cezary Jan |date=2023-07-17 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live? is a gloriously demented farewell |url=https://www.polygon.com/23797923/how-do-you-live-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki-review |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718160519/https://www.polygon.com/23797923/how-do-you-live-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki-review |url-status=live }}</ref> In his review for ''The Japan Times'', Matt Schley awarded the film a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, expressing that while its position within his list of favorite Miyazaki works remains uncertain, there were moments that left him breathless.<ref name="JT" /> While acknowledging the film's complexity and potential to not resonate with all viewers, ''Full Frontal'' author Matteo Watzky regarded these qualities as its best aspects, showcasing Miyazaki's talent, subtlety, and imagination.<ref name="FullF">{{Cite web |last=Watzky |first=Matteo |date=2023-07-14 |title=Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live? |url=https://fullfrontal.moe/how-do-you-live-review/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Full Frontal |language=en-US |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730002354/https://fullfrontal.moe/how-do-you-live-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

First international reviews were "unanimously positive".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Boy and the Heron First Reviews: Masterfully Animated Fantasy on Par with Miyazaki's Best |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-boy-and-the-heron-first-reviews-masterfully-animated-fantasy-on-par-with-miyazakis-best/ |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=2023-09-11 |language=en-US |archive-date=September 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911173659/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-boy-and-the-heron-first-reviews-masterfully-animated-fantasy-on-par-with-miyazakis-best/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Caryn James]] of the BBC, who rated it 5 out of 5 stars, felt the film is the culmination of Miyazaki's career and therefore may require multiple viewings to fully absorb the narrative's unwavering pace and the rich tapestry of imagery. She opined that the film presents a narrative blending wartime tragedy and supernatural exploration through the character Mahito, characterized by Miyazaki's meticulous attention to detail, a vibrant palette, and the seamless interplay between reality and the otherworldly, with characters assuming dreamlike forms that exemplify Miyazaki's innovative storytelling and visual prowess.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Caryn |title=The Boy and the Heron review: Miyazaki's 'last' film is a masterpiece |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230908-the-boy-and-the-heron-review-miyazakis-last-film-is-a-masterpiece |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=BBC |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913074211/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230908-the-boy-and-the-heron-review-miyazakis-last-film-is-a-masterpiece |url-status=live }}</ref> Tomris Laffly, writing for ''[[TheWrap]]'', epitomized the film as a "swan song so personal, artful and ultimately timeless" and thought it was "the deepest and darkest Studio Ghibli film" since ''[[Grave of the Fireflies]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laffly |first=Tomris |date=2023-09-08 |title=The Boy and The Heron: Hayao Miyazaki's Final Film Is Among His Deepest, Darkest |url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-final-last-film/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913024158/https://www.thewrap.com/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-final-last-film/ |url-status=live }}</ref> David Ehrlich of ''IndieWire'', who gave the film an "A" rating, wrote that the film "finds Miyazaki so nakedly bidding adieu—to us, and to the crumbling kingdom of dreams and madness that he'll soon leave behind—that it somehow resolves into an even more fitting goodbye [than ''The Wind Rises''], one graced with the divine awe and heart-stopping wistfulness of watching a true immortal make peace with their own death."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ehrlich |first=David |date=2023-09-08 |title={{-'}}The Boy and the Heron' Review: Hayao Miyazaki's Final Masterpiece Is the Dream-Like Farewell of an Immortal Man Preparing for His Own Death |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-1234903354/ |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013858/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-1234903354/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[IGN]]'s Rafael Motamayor reviewed ''The Boy and the Heron'' as Ghibli's "most visually complex film" and awarded it a score of 9 out of 10, where he expressed how Miyazaki has delivered an exceptional conclusion to his distinguished career through a "stunning animated adventure" that reminds audiences of their fortune to witness Studio Ghibli's cinematic creations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Motamayor |first=Rafael |date=2023-09-08 |title=The Boy and the Heron Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-studio-ghibli |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910134835/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-boy-and-the-heron-review-hayao-miyazaki-studio-ghibli |url-status=live }}</ref> On a less positive side, ''[[The Guardian]]'' writer Radheyan Simonpillai, assigning the film 3 out of 5 stars, saw it as "a gentler and slower though no less soulful addition to his canon."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simonpillai |first=Radheyan |date=2023-09-08 |title=The Boy and the Heron review – Miyazaki's last movie is a fitting swan song |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/08/the-boy-and-the-heron-movie-review-hayao-miyazaki |access-date=2023-09-11 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914131423/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/08/the-boy-and-the-heron-movie-review-hayao-miyazaki |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film is featured in lists of best anime films by several publications.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Matt |last=Kamen |date=2024-05-15 |title=The 25 Best Anime Movies |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-anime-movies/ |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Empire |language=en |archive-date=July 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712135402/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-anime-movies/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The 100 Best Anime Movies of All Time |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/best-anime-movies/the-100-best-anime-movies-of-all-time |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=March 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306160917/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/best-anime-movies/the-100-best-anime-movies-of-all-time |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=100 Best Anime Movies of All Time |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-anime-movies/ |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=2024-07-12 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307190214/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-anime-movies/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=David |first=Margaret |date=2023-02-16 |title=The 59 Best Anime Movies Ever |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1202644/the-best-anime-movies-ever/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=SlashFilm |language=en-US |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122161650/https://www.slashfilm.com/1202644/the-best-anime-movies-ever/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, ''[[Looper (website)|Looper]]'' ranked it number 10 on its list of the "50 Best PG-13 Movies of All Time," writing "After a decade-long hiatus, Miyazaki returned with what can only be described as a culmination of his life's work."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.looper.com/806086/best-pg-13-movies-of-all-time-ranked/ | title=50 Best PG-13 Movies Of All Time Ranked | website=Looper | date=October 14, 2024 }}</ref>

===Accolades===
{{Main list|List of accolades received by The Boy and the Heron{{!}}List of accolades received by ''The Boy and the Heron''}}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;"
! scope="col" | Award ceremony
! scope="col" | Date of ceremony
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Nominee(s)
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Refh}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Toronto International Film Festival]]
| [[2023 Toronto International Film Festival|September 17, 2023]]
| [[Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award|People's Choice Award]]
| rowspan="2" | {{sort|Boy|''The Boy and the Heron''}}
| {{draw|2nd Runner-up}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/cord-jefferson-american-fiction-wins-toronto-film-festival-audience-award-1235725733/|title=Cord Jefferson's 'American Fiction' Wins Toronto Film Festival Audience Award|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Brent|last=Lang|date=September 17, 2023|accessdate=September 17, 2023|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918050204/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/cord-jefferson-american-fiction-wins-toronto-film-festival-audience-award-1235725733/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| [[81st Golden Globe Awards|January 7, 2024]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film|Best Animated Feature Film]]
| {{won}}{{efn|It became the first non-English-language animated film to receive the prize.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-08 |title=Hayao Miyazaki wins Golden Globe for The Boy and the Heron |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67909246 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116203259/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67909246 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Nordyke|first=Kimberly|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/golden-globes-2024-winners-list-1235781166/|title=Golden Globes: Winners List|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=January 7, 2024|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=January 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108050358/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/golden-globes-2024-winners-list-1235781166/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| {{sort|Hisaishi|[[Joe Hisaishi]]}}
| {{nom}}
|-
! rowspan="7" scope="row" | [[Annie Awards]]
| rowspan="7" | [[51st Annie Awards|February 17, 2024]]
| [[Annie Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature]]
| {{sort|Boy|''The Boy and the Heron''}}
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="7" align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Hilary|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2024-annie-awards-winners-list-1235828921/|title=Annie Awards: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Leads With 7 Wins, Including Best Feature|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=February 17, 2024|access-date=February 18, 2024|archive-date=February 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218110539/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2024-annie-awards-winners-list-1235828921/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Directing in a Feature Production|Outstanding Achievement for Directing in a Feature Production]]
| rowspan="3" | {{sort|Miyazaki|[[Hayao Miyazaki]]}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in a Feature Production|Outstanding Achievement for Writing in a Feature Production]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in a Feature Production|Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in a Feature Production]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Feature Production|Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in an Animated Feature Production]]
| {{sort|Honda|[[Takeshi Honda (animator)|Takeshi Honda]]}}
| {{won}}
|-
|[[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in a Feature Production|Outstanding Achievement for Music in a Feature Production]]
| {{sort|Hisaishi|[[Joe Hisaishi]]}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production|Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production]]
| {{sort|Takeshige|Yōji Takeshige}}
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[British Academy Film Awards]]
| [[77th British Academy Film Awards|February 18, 2024]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Film]]
| rowspan="2"| {{sort|Miyazaki|[[Hayao Miyazaki]]}} and [[Toshio Suzuki (producer)|Toshio Suzuki]]
| {{won}}
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|last=Wise|first=Damon|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/baftas-hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-breaks-hollywood-hold-on-animation-category-1235830004/|title=BAFTAs: Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy And The Heron' Breaks Hollywood's Hold On Animation Category|work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|date=February 18, 2024|access-date=February 18, 2024|archive-date=February 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218180653/https://deadline.com/2024/02/baftas-hayao-miyazakis-the-boy-and-the-heron-breaks-hollywood-hold-on-animation-category-1235830004/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Academy Awards]]
| [[96th Academy Awards|March 10, 2024]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature]]
| {{won}}{{efn|It is the second non-English language film to win the award after ''[[Spirited Away]]''.<ref name="Non-EnglishOscar">{{Cite web |last=Goodfellow |first=Melanie |date=2024-03-11 |title=Record Number Of Non-English-Language Movies Take Home Oscar Statuettes |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/godzilla-minus-one-makes-vfx-oscar-record-number-of-non-english-language-movies-oscar-winners-1235854658/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311183300/https://deadline.com/2024/03/godzilla-minus-one-makes-vfx-oscar-record-number-of-non-english-language-movies-oscar-winners-1235854658/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| align="center" | <ref>{{Cite news |title=At 83, filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki earns historic Oscar for ''The Boy and the Heron'' |url=https://apnews.com/article/best-animated-film-2024-oscars-346ebe9c9392126031969ff51044a4a2 |last=Yamat |first=Rio |date=2024-03-10 |access-date=2024-03-10 |work=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311010819/https://apnews.com/article/best-animated-film-2024-oscars-346ebe9c9392126031969ff51044a4a2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

==Impact==
After the film's release, the novel ''How Do You Live?'' was temporarily in short supply due to the "synergy" with the film. The publisher decided to reprint the book, while the volumes were listed in large quantities on [[Mercari|Mercari marketplace app]]. On July 20, [[Iwanami Shoten]] announced on its official Twitter account that the total circulation of the book had reached 1.8 million copies, making it the number one book published by Iwanami Bunko in its history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisuke |first=Asano |date=2023-07-27 |title=｢君たちはどう生きるか」映画効果で同名小説が再注目 フリマアプリにも大量出品 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230727-ZJPP7YM5HNDEJJ5TGLHBVNKMSM/ |trans-title=The film ''How Do You Live?'' has brought renewed attention to the novel of the same title, which is now being sold in large quantities on flea market apps |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=[[Sankei Shimbun]] |language=ja |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801025449/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230727-ZJPP7YM5HNDEJJ5TGLHBVNKMSM/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''{{'s}} Gavin J Blair felt that ''The Boy and the Heron'' is a significant contributor to the recent revival of [[Japanese popular culture]] in the West, alongside ''[[Godzilla Minus One]]'' (2023), the first season of ''[[One Piece (2023 TV series)|One Piece]]'' (2023), and the first season of ''[[Shōgun (2024 TV series)|Shōgun]]'' (2024).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Gavin J. |date=February 16, 2024 |title=Berlin: Toei Animation's Yoshi Ikezawa on Ambitious New CGI Feature ''Hypergalactic'' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/hypergalactic-toei-animation-yoshi-ikezawa-berlin-interview-1235823410/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216210026/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/hypergalactic-toei-animation-yoshi-ikezawa-berlin-interview-1235823410/ |archive-date=February 16, 2024 |access-date=April 3, 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup?modal_open=kimitachihadouikiruka ''The Boy and the Heron''] at [[Toho]] (in Japanese)
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{Rotten tomatoes}}
* {{Anime News Network|movie|24638}}

{{Hayao Miyazaki}}
{{Studio Ghibli Films}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of accolades received by The Boy and the Heron|Awards for ''The Boy and the Heron'']]
|list =
{{Academy Award Best Animated Feature}}
{{BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film}}
{{Japan Academy Film Prize for Animation of the Year}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{Ōfuji Noburō Award}}
{{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film}}
{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Feature}}
{{Satellite Award Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature Film}}
}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Boy and the Heron, The}}
[[Category:2023 anime films]]
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