After successfully acquiring the North American theatrical distribution rights to Hayao Miyazaki’s How Do You Live, GKIDS has announced that Studio Ghibli’s upcoming animated movie will be getting a brand new title. Scheduled to arrive in US theaters later this year, Miyazaki’s directorial comeback will be released internationally with the title of The Boy and The Heron.
“Hayao Miyazaki is a living legend in filmmaking, as evidenced by his Academy Award win for Spirited Away and his two Oscar nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle and The Wind Rises,’” GKIDS president David Jesteadt said in a statement. “It’s been ten years since the world has seen a new film from Miyazaki-san, and GKIDS is so proud and honored to unveil his latest, highly anticipated masterpiece in North America.”
What to Expect in Hayao Miyazaki’s Next Studio Ghibli Movie?
Producer Suzuki Toshio confirmed that Miyazaki’s How Do You Live won’t be based on the 1937 Japanese coming-of-age story by Genzaburō Yoshino, despite sharing the same title. The novel is one of Miyazaki’s favorite books, which was why it was initially thought to be the source material for the movie. However, Suzuki confirmed the film will instead feature an original story. In a previous interview, Studio Ghibli executive Toshio Suzuki described the project as a “big fantastical film” being worked on by 60 animators.
This marks Studio Ghibli’s first movie release without any marketing. Even though Suzuki is confident that this new release strategy will pique the audiences’ interest more, Miyazaki recently expressed his concerns regarding the outcome of the film’s lack of trailers, posters, synopsis, and other promotional content.
Miyazaki is best known for directing moving and classic animated films including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo. Fans are now able to celebrate his films through Studio Ghibli’s recently opened theme park, which features attractions and rides inspired by Miyazaki’s work.