The Boy and the Heron, the newest Studio Ghibli movie and possibly Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, has treated us to a very slow reveal. For a long time, all we saw from the movie was a poster with a mysterious heron on it. Next, we saw some beautiful stills that carried all the hallmarks of a Studio Ghibli movie created by Hayao Miyazaki. Now, the movie has released has released several trailers to help whet our appetite. The Boy and the Heron‘s US teaser trailer sets its American theater release date. But most importantly, we finally get to see some of The Boy and the Heron in action across the movie’s US and international trailers. The might of nature, the existential threat of death, and a stunning soundtrack? Yep. Sign us up for this latest Studio Ghibli movie.
The Boy and the Heron’s Official US Trailer
The Boy and the Heron isn’t ready to surrender all of its secrets in this teaser trailer, though. Haunting music guides us through flashes of different scenes. We see a heron, of course, and follow our protagonist as he delves deep into yet another surreal and magical Miyazaki world. There’s even a brand new adorable Studio Ghibli creature for us to coo over.
The Boy and the Heron‘s teaser trailer notes, “Where death comes to an end. Life finds new beginning.” It could be ominous… or hopeful. Isn’t that what a Miyazaki movie is all about?
More Footage of the Studio Ghibli Movie Revealed in International Trailers
In addition to the footage from the US trailer for The Boy and the Heron, new scenes from the movie have been revealed in the French and Korean trailers for the film. Take a look below.
Korean trailer of The Boy and the Heron (Hayao Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli).
— Catsuka (@catsuka) October 2, 2023
It also reveals new footage from the film. pic.twitter.com/rjJSG5YAyl https://t.co/C6PzLVTwz0
French trailer of The Boy and the Heron (Hayao Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli).
— Catsuka (@catsuka) October 2, 2023
It reveals new footage from the film. pic.twitter.com/t4CaxoKBn9
To further celebrate The Boy and the Heron‘s release in South Korea, a music video from artist Kenshi Yonezu, titled “Spinning Globe,” was also released. This music video features a ton of new footage from Miyazaki’s latest Studio Ghibli movie.
The Boy and the Heron‘s Synopsis
In addition to new footage, the trailer for The Boy and the Heron reveals precious insight into the Studio Ghibli movie’s plot. It notes:
A young boy named Mahito yearning for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. A semi-autobiographical fantasy about life, death, and creation, in tribute to friendship, from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.
We do love a good tribute to friendship—and the themes of life, death, and creation are guaranteed to make us cry. It’s a good thing we don’t have to wait too long for this movie to arrive in theaters. This movie was also introduced initially as Hayao Miyazaki’s final Studio Ghibli movie. Of course, there have been many “final” Studio Ghibli movies before, but if this is in fact the last, we’re sure we’ll see that reflected in the content as well.
The Boy and the Heron‘s Release Date
The Boy and the Heron will be released in movie theaters on December 8. The new Studio Ghibli movie will play in regular and IMAX theaters.
Originally published on September 6, 2023.