Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most prominent Japanese animators cum filmmakers cum manga artists of all time, and all of his projects are the living proof of that. But while the 82-year-old co-founder of Studio Ghibli may have started his career as an animator six decades ago in 1963 and earned international acclamation as a master storyteller, his movies weren’t able to break records in the US up until recently.
And by ‘recently’, we refer to his most recent fantasy adventure anime movie, The Boy and the Heron. This film not only broke records in American cinemas for the first time but also set a whole new level of competition for other animators with its sparkling success!
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron Breaks Records In The US
Although Hayao Miyazaki’s Japanese animated films have previously survived at American Cinemas pretty finely, none of them has had such vast success as the recently released The Boy and the Heron.
As per the tweet posted by @DiscussingFilm on X, the movie not only opened at #1 in the United States with a whopping $12.8 million, but it also became the first-ever film from Miyazaki to have broken the record to become #1 at the US box offices.
Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘THE BOY AND THE HERON’ opens at #1 in the US with $12.8M.
First ever Miyazaki film to become #1 at the US box office.
Read our review: https://t.co/iaAQBWgNEU pic.twitter.com/KwwgshhhTU
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 10, 2023
The Boy and the Heron features the story of a 12-year-old boy named Mahito, who struggles with life after moving to a new town after the loss of his mother. However, a little later, he encounters a talking heron who informs him that his mother is still alive. Thus, in search of her, he discovers and enters an abandoned tower that takes him to a whole new, different, and magical world.
To put it in a nutshell, the film revolves around the themes of growing up in a world affected by war and loss all the while serving as a semi-autobiographical reflection on life, death, and the actions and consequences of the creation. All in all, Hayao Miyazaki‘s imaginative storytelling skills have been on full display in this movie, making it as interesting as it could be.
Fans React To The Boy and the Heron‘s Exceptional Success
After hearing about the massive success of Hayao Miyazaki’s recent hit and the records The Boy and the Heron broke at American cinemas for the first time, fans have been geared up to praise the animator for such an incredible success of finally being truly recognized and appreciated.
While some, who hadn’t watched the movie before, are now more hyped up about seeing it than ever, others, who have already watched it, pile up to share their honest reviews on the film. Taking to X, here’s what they have to say:
This movie was peakkk
— Eli (@sameoldeli) December 10, 2023
Saw it with my brother and sister last night and you know what guys, I think this Miyazaki has some real promise in him. pic.twitter.com/k5sQcOrwAV
— kaley (@loonalovegood25) December 10, 2023
It was good. I plan on a second viewing tomorrow.
— Cory G (@EthanM1834) December 11, 2023
My first ever studio ghibili movie watch in theatres. Really enjoyed the experience.
— Griffin Quigley (@quigley46) December 10, 2023
Could’ve made more with a bigger release!!!
His movies deserve better treatment in the US— Stella Sassier (@stella_sassier) December 10, 2023
We will be there pic.twitter.com/nLdEvWM1Aa
— Tosin (@AdewolaTosin) December 10, 2023
Can’t wait to watch pic.twitter.com/i7um0KSaKC
— Tosin (@AdewolaTosin) December 10, 2023
i’m definitely going to see it
— mrs. venus ✨ (@iJaadee) December 10, 2023
From all these comments, one thing is evident: Hayao Miyazaki is one of the best animators cum filmmakers to ever exist, and people who think otherwise should rethink their decision after watching The Boy and the Heron!
