Hayao Miyazaki Takes The Crown“The Boy and the Heron” wins Golden Globes Best Animated Film Award!

In a big win, at the 81st Golden Globe Awards, Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece, "The Boy and the Heron" (Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka), secured the Best Motion Picture - Animated category. The film faced tough competition, including Makoto Shinkai's "Suzume," Universal Pictures' "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," and Disney's "Elemental and Wish."

While the film and its acclaimed composer Joe Hisaishi secured a nomination for Best Original Score - Motion Picture, the ultimate win eluded them. The song "Peaches" from "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" also vied for Best Original Song - Motion Picture but fell short of victory.

The Golden Globe Awards marked only one milestone in the film's remarkable journey. Nominations for the London Critics' Circle's 2024 awards and recognition from the Florida Film Critics Circle, where it bagged the Best Picture award, further solidify its impact.

Notably, "The Boy and the Heron" made history as the first animated feature to claim the Best Picture accolade from the Florida Film Critics Circle. The Alliance of Women Film Journalists also honored the film with Best Animated Film in its EDA Awards.

International acclaim continues for Miyazaki, with a nomination for Best International Filmmaker at the Astra Film & Creative Arts Awards. Domestically, the film earned the coveted Best Animation award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards and the Boston Society of Film Critics.

Boasting a stellar performance in the Japanese box office, the film grossed an impressive 8.66 billion yen (approximately US$61.4 million), securing its place as the third highest-grossing domestic film in Japan in 2023.

In the United States, "The Boy and the Heron" made a groundbreaking debut, claiming the top spot in its opening weekend with earnings of US$12,836,313. Variety hailed it as the "first original anime production" to achieve this milestone in the U.S. box office.

Adding to its list of firsts, the film marked Studio Ghibli's inaugural simultaneous IMAX release and continues to captivate audiences in Dolby Atmos, Dolby Cinema, and DTS:X screenings.

Miyazaki, credited with the original work, direction, and script, showcases his storytelling prowess, while Joe Hisaishi's enchanting composition adds a magical layer. Kenshi Yonezu's rendition of the theme song, "Chikyūgi" (Globe), further elevates the film's emotional resonance.

"The Boy and the Heron" stands not only as a cinematic marvel but also as a testament to Miyazaki's enduring legacy and Studio Ghibli's unwavering impact on the global animation landscape. So, if you haven’t watched this masterpiece, what are you waiting for?