Metaphor in the Boy and the Heron ~ The Meaning of Ghibli ~

When I saw the Boy and the Heron, I had a take on the film's metaphor that my friend group told me was worth sharing. So here we are, 2 months and 40 minutes later with my attempt at explaining what is now my favorite Ghibli film. Many scenes were recreated from memory and I'm sure I made mistakes, see Errata below, but I did my best to put forth my sincere thoughts! If you are among the many who didn't 'get' the film, I hope this gives you a place to start!

Errata:
Leto gave birth to ARTEMIS and Apollo not Athena, this is totally my mistake. I blame the video game Hades for not having Leto as a character.

Barthes is pronounced 'Bart', not especially an error so much as an Americanization, but a couple people pointed this out. To be honest, I tried to say it as Bart, but I kept messing up and ultimately just kept the takes which felt like they got the sentiment most correct.

The image comparison for Kiki's parent's house includes an image I found in a thumbnail I swore I saw in the film, but upon reexamining the film, I could not locate this image. I do still think there are parallels with Kiki in the pelicans, though it's definitely one of the least referenced films in Boy and the Heron. I think that's kind of interesting, considering Kiki also touches on the process of creation in its metaphor, but TLDR, the comparison image listed as from Boy and the Heron should not be there. I stand by my overall point about the references.

Films is misspelled at 16:46.
Sustenance is misspelled at 27:50.

Any other errors will be added here.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:40 Metaphor
08:02 Approaching The Boy and the Heron
11:30 Resemblances
16:43 Of Films and Film Production
22:13 Explaining The Boy and the Heron
31:47 The Authorial Metaphor
34:23 How Do You Live
35:41 One Last Idea
39:20 Conclusion

Sources:

"‘The Boy and the Heron’ Review: Hayao Miyazaki Has a Question for You"
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times Nov 21, 2023

"The Boy and the Heron Producer Says the Anime Is the Most Expensive Japanese Film Ever Made"
Hayley McCullough, CBR, Aug 19 2023

"Japanese Lawmakers Debate Low Wages in the Anime Industry"
Alex Dudok De Wit, Carboon Brew Feb 2022

"Against Interpretation"
Susan Sontag, 1966

"Death of the Author"
Roland Barthes, 1967

"How Do You Live"
Genzaburo Yoshino, Translated by Bruno Navasky, Introduction by Neil Gaiman 2021

"Sharing a House with the Neverending Man"
Steve Albert, 2020

"The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness"
Dir. Mami Sunada, Dist. Toho Co., Ltd. 2013

[Holyfishsticksironman]

“Create beautiful worlds untouched by malice” reminds me of the line from Princess Mononoke “see with eyes unclouded by hate.”

[ideatorx]

I like to remember that the universe has been around for 13.8 billion years and I was lucky enough to be here to experience all that Miyazaki offered us, because once he's gone it will never return again. Its a perfect moment in time. A truly blessed space to be in and something the boy and the heron recognizes and deals with sincerely. How lucky are we all to experience his 13 blocks, and its our duty to live through his work, to bring heart and sincerity and wonder to our world through ourselves.

[Nailfut]

Something I haven't seen many people discuss is Mahito's mother farewell. He asks her to come with him, but she knows she must return to her timeline, so Mahito reminds her that that road will lead to her death, so, she gives the most honest and heart-breaking answer possible, which, to me, is the true meaning of the movie:"Giving birth to you will be my greatest joy".

Miyazaki is telling us that he has finally found the answer, he's overcome that internal struggle that's been plaguing his soul for decades:"In spite of all the ups and downs, all that matters is the joy of giving life, to art, to a son etc., because it will be worthy enough".

Miyazaki isn't reflecting on his legacy nor he's obsessed with finding a successor. He's telling us do go and create, to give life as he has done all this time, with no fear for what will come next, because it will all be worthy regardless of the consequences.
That's why, to me, this is the most sincere and positive movie he's ever done.

[thegreata]

This video essay was more than an explanation of the art, but rather a work of art itself. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this, and I hope you keep this going.

[enas]

That scene when Mahito notes the blocks are made of the same marble used for graves instead of wood that he objects to & the great uncle’s remark on his observation is one of my fav parts of the film. The great uncle only knows how to destroy himself in a world that is consuming itself by trapping himself in a dream world that shelters him from real life where he cannot find true sustenance; love found in real connections with others. The inhabitants of the other world only consume into their void & therefore create imbalance. Kiriko sustains herself by the tiny statues she appoints by her bedchamber through memory & uses it to protect Mahito similarly to how Haku tells Chihiro to consume food from the world she is in so she doesn’t disappear or needs to remember her real name in order to get back to her own real world. In order not to be consumed by a void you must create balance by having a real connection to the world you’re in. If Tahata’s approach to film making is laced in death, grief & loss, Miyazaki’s approach is laced in life & sustainability. Miyazaki’s last name literally means a shrine, which in a way laments itself in the metaphors he uses as spiritual conduits such as the tower throughout his films.

[Oppurtunafish]

Interesting to note that Future boy Conan was being exhibited at the Ghibli Museum from May 2023, not long before Boy and the Heron was released in Japan. No doubt the studio wanted people to reflect on, and if they hadn't seen it, discover, Miyazakis directorial debut

[deokchillin]

I finished the movie an hour ago and was bawling throughout. While I interpreted the movie as a reflection on death and grief, and there was this catharsis throughout the ‘rescuing’ scene of himi where mahito gets a chance to be able to do what he always wanted to do. When he referred to his scar and pointed towards his head, I thought he was referring to the mental pain but the 13 blocks and the gutting of the fish were some of the many points which I couldn’t add in. This perspective makes a lot more sense! Truly truly enjoyed your video!

[MarshyMarsh]

Not gonna lie, this video made me cry. Miyazaki and his films have inspired me so much, especially when I create art. And to see him at the end of his era, reflecting on his career through one of his most beautiful films (I've seen The Boy and the Heron 3 times now because the images are just stuck in my brain lol) legit brought me to tears.

[t.rae.storyteller]

Okay I'm crying now. This is one of those rare video essays that is art within itself. Ghibli films have offered so much inspiration to me as an aspiring writer, and the boy and the heron is no different. So much of it seems to speak on the overlap of creativity and grief, or at least that was my takeaway. I want to watch it again now, with all your interpretations in mind. Thank you.

[AdlersShadows]

11:30 I have the exact same Epiphany but not due to my own thinking. I am not smart like that.

My 4-year-old son doesn't talk much. He is autistic. I didn't even know if he understood that we were going to go see another "Ghibli film". But Totoro ponyo and spirited away are his favorite.

When they were crawling to the tower my son said
MAMA they're going to find Mae.
I am tearing up writing this because I realize how much my little boy sees things and make connections. For so long I thought there wasn't much going on in there but recently it's been moments like this where I have found my little boy is constantly observing and viewing the world and making connections. He saw the connection before I did before I even understood!. He has always been doing this he just might not have to words to tell me yet ❤️

[ionutalex]

even if you never make another video this channel deserves to live on forever

[fremendruin]

As someone who lost his ex, his dad, and his grandparents to illness in the last 5 years, the Boy and the Heron really brought out emotions. The backgrounds were also very impressive in referencing surrealism and Impressionism styles. Definitely, it’s one of Miyazaki’s best works.

[thirzel]

Wow, this is the best film critiques I have ever heard. How elaborated, well documented, how well delivered and what a sensitivity in presenting it in this way. Thank you. I enjoyed every moment of it.

[yohanalexander]

I had the same notion when I finished watching the movie. I see the great uncle as Miyazaki himself trying to find a successor and failed. Realizing no one could or will succeed him, he finally relented and advised Mahito (us?) to move on. When I saw the tower crumbled I don't know why my thoughts and feelings went to the Studio Ghibli itself crumbling or at least crumbling in Myazaki's eyes or even just his fear. I personally think Ghibli is not over yet. It will take only one genius person to revive Studio Ghibli in the future which we cannot see now because of the blinding light of the sun that is Miyazaki himself over there.

[theinformedvegan]

I can't speak to your prowess in animation but certainly my whole family can speak to your incredible video essay skills. I watched this video last night after going to see the movie with friends and family, and sat down my whole family tonight to show them this video essay. We are all left with such a grounded, momentous feeling. Thank you for creating this video essay and I'll continue to share it with everyone I know!

[chiri-theoden]

What a wonderful analysis. Something I noticed that lines up with your reading of Grand Uncle as Miyazaki and the tower world being the world of Ghibli is that when the animals are brought into the world by the uncle, they transform into these magical, spirit-like beings that Ghibli/Miyazaki are known for -- and by the same token, they turn back to normal once they've left his world, showing how his creative power transforms ordinary things into beings of pure fantasy.

Also, and this might be a stretch, but they very faithfully animated bird poop in the real world scenes, while I don't recall any bird poop in the "ghibli world" scenes. If I'm correct in that observation, it could be another small touch to show how Ghibli/Miyazaki have tried to create an idyllic world through their films. (Probably explaining that horribly, but hopefully you get the gist!)


I hope you have more videos like this! I love the way you view media; especially when you started dropping Sontag quotes and correcting the record on what Death of the Author really means. Keep it up!

[Jxudo]

I've gone to see this film twice. I was not expecting any of this, I can't get over the emotions this film gave me.
I knew it was going to be amazing because it's his, but I wasn't expecting everything else. I cried more at this movie than any other I've ever seen.
Miyazaki has been a part of my life for 28 years. This film was like a very dear old friend saying goodbye.

[nikolasgarcianikomanga]

When I watched the wind rises I thought "This can't be H.M. Last movie, is too plain", and when I watched The Boy and The Heron everything came to clarity, this movie is a farewel, is a tribute to Ghibli and specificaly to the legacy of one of the most beloved artist of the last centtury. Saying good bye to people is hard but opposite to Mahito, we wont forget the memories we had with the art and stories from Master Miyasaki.

[hatchlingdm]

This was a remarkable video essay and I’m in tears at your final interpretation. I build fantastical worlds every day as part of my career, but being in a creative industry with dwindling integrity has taken its toll on me this year. I hope I can keep creating beautiful games despite being surrounded by insincerity.

[zaphyy]

Absolutely incredible video. I admit that when I first left the theatre I was deeply confused but I think the mystery of finding out what the film means to us is one part of its beauty. I plan to rewatch it with some friends later in the week. The final message/conclusion you had was beautiful and really resonates with what I've experienced in my life the past few years. In a way, Miyazaki is showing us one way in regards to how to live.