Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement for the umpteenth time to create The Boy and the Heron, and his return was marked with an Oscar. While Spirited Away is widely celebrated as the most popular Ghibli movie, The Boy and the Heron is no less of a wonder. In fact, Miyazaki has poured his heart and soul into the making of the film.

The Boy and the Heron stands apart from the usual Ghibli films that have a warm and cuddly atmosphere. Instead, it focuses on loss and grieving. Many have called it Hayao Miyazaki’s most autobiographical film.

The Boy and the Heron breaks away from the mold of Studio Ghibli films The Boy and the Heron depicts how Mahito’s life is affected by war | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli protagonists are often hopeful, inspiring, and incite a spell of warmth inside viewers. However, The Boy and the Heron...