MANILA, Philippines—Hayao Miyazaki’s latest masterpiece, ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ is set to captivate Philippine audiences starting January 8, marking the debut of a Miyazaki film on the big screen in the country.
Fans have eagerly anticipated this deeply personal project, marking Miyazaki’s return to feature filmmaking after a decade. The film earned critical acclaim during its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where award-winning auteur Guillermo del Toro introduced and praised Miyazaki’s work.
Del Toro commended Miyazaki’s technical finesse and described the film as an exquisite, contemplative masterpiece. ‘The Boy and the Heron’ recently received the Best Animated Film award from the New York Film Critics Circle, holding a 96% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rolling Stone hails Miyazaki as a master, emphasizing the film’s meditation on grief and growing up. Deadline.com praises Miyazaki’s commitment to 2D animation, calling every frame a hand-painted canvas. The Hollywood Reporter applauds the film’s animation, describing it as a distinct work of art and praising its storytelling.
Image Courtesy of Studio Ghibli.
‘The Boy and the Heron’ achieved a historic feat by opening at No. 1 in North America, breaking box-office records as the first original anime title to top the charts. The film earned Miyazaki his first Golden Globe nomination and is also nominated for Best Original Score.
Images Courtesy of Studio Ghibli.
The anime also opened at No. 1 in Japan, with the biggest opening weekend for a Miyazaki film. It led the box office in South Korea, Taiwan, and France, breaking the record for the biggest opening day in 2023. The film features a star-studded voice cast, including Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, J-pop star Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, and Takuya Kimura of former J-pop boy band SMAP.
Embark on a mesmerizing journey with ‘The Boy and the Heron’ in Philippine cinemas starting January 8. Distributed by Warner Bros. through Encore Films, it’s the first Miyazaki title to grace local theaters. Immerse yourself in a world of magic, adventure, and wonder! #TheBoyandTheHeron