It has only been two weeks since The Boy and The Heron was dropped in Japanese theaters but the latest Studio Ghibli film is already on its way to becoming the country's highest-grossing movie. The animated feature, which serves as Hayao Miyazaki's final film, has already sold over 3 million tickets and earned almost $33 million at the domestic box office.
The Boy and The Heron, or Kimitachi wa Do Ikiru ka ("How Do You Live?"), was announced in 2017. However, Studio Ghibli did not confirm its release date until December last year. A poster depicting the titular heron would be the only promotional content for the film as the animation studio decided against any kind of promotion.
Amazingly, that didn't stop fans from watching (and rewatching) the film. Mantan Web (via Anime News Network) confirms that The Boy and The Heron has already sold over 3.05 million tickets since its release. Moreover, the feature has earned 4.69 billion yen (approximately US$32.99 million) as of Monday.
It is an impressive feat considering that the Studio Ghibli film had no trailers or posters prior to its premiere. Even the synopsis and casting details for the movie were not revealed until the day of its release. On the other hand, it is also the first Ghibli movie to get a simultaneous IMAX release and reportedly exceeded US$1.7 million from 44 IMAX screens. Needless to say, it just proves the power that Hayao Miyazaki's films has over its audiences.
The Boy and The Heron was the highest-grossing movie at the Japanese box office on its opening weekend. It is currently the second-biggest opening for a Studio Ghibli film after Howl’s Moving Castle made $14.2 million on its opening back in 2004. The latest feature is also on its way to becoming the highest-grossing film in Japan, a title that is currently held by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mugen Train.
What Is The Boy and The Heron About?
The Boy and The Heron is inspired by How Do You Live?, the 1937 novel by Genzaburo Yoshino. However, the film itself has an original story that is not connected to the book. Although both focus on a young boy's journey, that's where the similarities end.
In the movie, a young boy named Mahito Maki moves to a new town after the death of his mother. There, he finds an abandoned tower where he meets a talking grey heron. After their encounter, Mahito enters into another world in hopes that he can meet his dead mother again.
For now, The Boy and The Heron has not yet been given an international theatrical release date. However, it will have its international premiere as the opening film at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 7, 2023. Hopefully, the announcement for its international theatrical release will be made soon.
