In the world of animation, there have been many filmmakers to shape the genre; but to me if there is one that stands above the rest it would be none other than Hayou Miyazaki. The Japanese filmmakers have crafted some of the most cherished animated films of all time; with My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away being prevalent examples of this. However, in 2013 it seemed that Hayou’s journey in animation had come to an end as the famed creator announced his retirement from filmmaking. It seemed that Miyazaki and his studio, Studio Ghibli, would pass into legend-but that would not be the case. After working on a short film in 2016, Miyazaki announced that he was coming out of retirement and the work of Studio Ghibli would continue. Since then Miyazaki, and several Ghibli alumni, began working on a new film and after much anticipation, this new movie has arrived in the form of The Boy and the Heron.

Based on the 1937 novel by Genzaburo Yoshino, The Boy and and Heron tells the story of a boy named Mahito who travels to a fantastical world of spirits in order to find his mother; all the while being accompanied by a gray heron who is less than enthusiastic about the journey. Along with its literary connection, The Boy and the Heron serves as a pseudo reflection to Miyazaki’s own life as several aspects about the movie parallels the filmmaker’s own experiences. Between Miyazaki’s return and (supposedly) being one of the most expensive Japanese films ever made, there was a lot riding on this new animated feature. Going into the movie, I was excited as anyone to see this new Miyazaki film and what it had to offer. After experiencing it for myself, I can say that The Boy and the Heron is a stellar, conflicting and inventive return for the acclaimed filmmaker.

When it comes to Studio Ghibli, their films can either be whimsical or serious in nature-and The Boy and the Heron is definitely among the more serious entries in the studio’s tenure (though it does have its lighthearted moments). The movie has been touted to be thematically driven in its storytelling, and from my experience that was indeed the case. The plot establishes Mahito’s conflict quickly and sets up the adventure in an unexpected manner. Yet when the plot finally gets to the main journey, I felt that the plot deteriorates a bit in its direction. The story was still engaging, but I felt like it needed more time to expand the world it was crafting. As for the themes, the plot was impressive with its ideas but I felt that some of its concepts got lost in the shuffle (though this could change with more viewings).

Studio Ghibli has catered many ensembles rich with character, and their latest movie was no different as it was filled with characters who were both engaging and enjoyable. In the case of Mahito, the young hero was investing and (to an extent) different from the heroes seen in previous Ghibli films. As for Mahito’s counterpart, the Heron was enjoyable but I felt his character, as well as his chemistry with Mahito, needed more time to develop. As for the supporting cast, the film featured a moderate set of characters. Additions such as Mahito’s foster mother Natsuko and the mysterious Lady Hime were solid in their roles, but just like Heron these characters needed more time to stand out.

When it comes to animation, Studio Ghibli has never disappointed. In the case of The Boy and the Heron, this film not only lived up to the studio’s standards but even exceeded its predecessors in many ways. While each film has their own style of animation, The Boy and the Heron’s ability to utilize several techniques showed that Miyazaki and his team have never lost a step, but have refined their sense of presentation. As for the music, returning to conduct the score was none other than Joe Hisaishi who conducted several of Studio Ghibli’s films. The music was among the best scores I have heard this year as it was as immersive as it was beautiful; and it was the perfect companion for a film such as The Boy and the Heron.

The Boy and the Heron is a true crescendo for Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. While some of its ideas could get lost in execution,, the movie remained captivating with its storytelling and cast of characters; and along with its stunning animation and music this animated feature is a stellar cinematic experience to say the least. Despite his absence from the big screen, Miyazaki showed why he is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in history with The Boy and the Heron as the movie pushes the boundaries of animation and cements the quality of Studio Ghibli films.