Renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, "The Boy and the Heron (How Do You Live?)," opened in South Korea on October 25th, captivating movie enthusiast with over 255,000 attendees and a commanding 71.4% box office market share to secure the top spot.

After creating beloved Studio Ghibli works like "Spirited Away," "Howl's Moving Castle," and "Princess Mononoke," Miyazaki's return with a feature-length animation after a decade, and another reversal of his retirement decision, garnered worldwide attention.

Miyazaki, in his youth, treasured Genzaburo Yoshino's novel "How Do You Live?" but in his film, "The Boy and the Heron," initially conceived as an adaptation of the book, he weaves it into a multifaceted narrative that delves deeper into his own adolescence.

Due to the increased interest in Genzaburo Yoshino's novel "How Do You Live?" in Korea, it has risen to the third position on the bestseller list for the youth category at Kyobo Bookstore as of the 26th.

Released as "How Do You Live?" in both South Korea and Japan, "The Boy and the Heron," which premiered in Japan in July, received polarized reviews.

Some praised it as a masterpiece that fused Hayao Miyazaki's autobiographical story and his distinctive artistic world, while others found it excessively complex and dull.

Having been featured at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and garnering generally favorable feedback from Western critics, the film is set for release in the United Kingdom and the United States on December 8th.

It is said that the original work required the highest production budget among previous Studio Ghibli works, with a record-breaking 5.1 billion yen, surpassing even the story of Princess Kaguya, making it the most expensive production in Japanese film history.

The film begins with the flames of the Tokyo air raids during World War II, causing Mahito to lose his mother.

Afterward, he moves to the countryside where his father's munitions factory is located- a backdrop that resonates with Hayao Miyazaki's own childhood.

His father worked as a factory manager at his grandfather's munitions factory, and young Miyazaki also experienced rural life during the war, leading to a relatively comfortable existence despite the wartime conditions.

Mahito's father, who aims to make a fortune and show off his wealth during the war, is portrayed as a pragmatic character.

However, Korean viewers can't help but feel uncomfortable watching Mahito embark on adventures for his father, as if a thorn is stuck in their throat.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, this film, much like "The Wind Rises," employs subdued, somewhat desaturated color palettes.,

The colors, however, are distinctly special.

In the movie, there's a grey heron that aids Mahito, and the heron's wings feature Miyazaki's signature pale blue-gray borders.

Just like Miyazaki's other films, this one meticulously renders architectural details and even individual dishes on shelves with great care.

As the backdrop of Mahito's story shifts from reality to a supernatural realm, the film unfolds with even more vibrant colors and boundless imagination.

Woojin Shim
Grade 12
Asia Pacific International School