Gkids, the U.S.-based distributor of the other Studio Ghibli movies, has acquired the North American rights to Hayao Miyazaki’s final film. Previously known as How Do You Live (Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka) it is set to release as The Boy and the Heron.
The highly anticipated film has been shrouded in mystery since the movie was announced. And when I mean mystery I mean MYSTERRYYYY. Miyazaki, who has become a household name all over the world due to his innovative and unique art and way of storytelling, made the decision to not drop any trailers, synopses, or advertisements. All he did was drop a cover.
With the U.S. title change, we do have some clue as to what the story is about. And knowing Miyazaki, it’s going to be a story about boundless change grounded in the years upon years of storytelling magic that he has created. And admittedly, there’s something exciting about entering something completely blind, especially because Gkids is going to follow in Studio Ghibli’s footsteps and will not be releasing “any further details or marketing materials at the moment” according to Variety.
Personally, I’m going to be following in Gkids footsteps. I’m going to keep myself ignorant of the book it’s reportedly based on, Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 YA book “Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka.” And I’m going to keep myself away from reviews and first reactions. Inevitably something might slip through. But until then we’re going to be living in anticipation of what Miyazaki will be bringing to the table with The Boy and the Heron, especially with Joe Hisaishi making a return as well.
