Confusing Mess or Narrative Chess? The Boy and The Heron

[@Missaribla]

As a nobody from the internet, I'd watch a part two. Thank you for some actual analysis and not just a summary.

[@littlejimmycratner]

The movie is incredible. And gets more awesome the the more you watch it and more you think about it.

[@Cheattoe]

I’m just so happy I wasn’t the only who watched the movie and was like “…. What did I just watch?” Like I enjoyed the movie but I didn’t like the plot

[@DieFarbeLila88]

Oh god, same 😭 I was so excited because it was the first time that I watched a ghibli movie in cinema and I have to say - I was super bummed out.

[@herodaresfire4512]

Defintely took multiple viewings to understand.

[@KhaliBarnard]

Amazing analysis!!! I never read how How do you live, so listening to you compare the themes from the book to the film helps me understand the depth of this wonderful movie so much more. And YES to part 2!!

[@mp3magnet]

As recent NHK documentary about this film suggests tribute to Isao Takahata who died in 2018 and was a key partner to Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli. Particular a figure of granduncle like you said is based on him. What was interesting is the huge influence Takahata had on the creative decisions and advice Miyazaki would get from Takahata despite their funny relationship. Miyazaki clearly missed Takahata while making this film. Perhaps this is why “the boy and the heron “ feels over engineered and lacking pure emotional impact of the older films. Again, thanks for your assays. Very impressive work as usual.

[@dearestdimple]

Thanks for sticking around! :)

[@ayanamiayachanJ]

@@dearestdimpleLady Himi reminded me of Haku/Kohaku from spirited away.

[@jakeghelfi]

Excellent work. Subscribed and waiting for part 2!

[@SteveJubs]

Yes, part 2 please!

[@KaseyBailes]

Part 2 plz! Because this movie sent me on an-still ongoing-odyssey with the story of The Snow Queen (Hans Christian Andersen) and its 1957 Soviet animated adaptation!

[@KaseyBailes]

As for other of his films, I think Porco Rosso is an underrated masterpiece

[@emilyekeylime]

As always, so well done and well researched! This movie was a cluster and I was very confused when it was over. This video essay helped me a lot and made me appreciate the film much more. I’d absolutely watch a part 2 with your last theory!

[@TheOtakuArtist]

Very interesting take, makes the movie make a bit more sense - love your ghibli videos! I'd love a part 2!

[@JamesBuckel]

Following in hopes of a part 2; really well done, thank you for a beautiful analysis of the strangest ghibli masterpiece

[@thethreels2944]

Having already watched the movie, watched several other video essays about it and then read the book, I think this is a very good and interesting analysis! You gave perspectives that were new to me, and you presented them well. I'd noticed that the movie followed the book's themes, but I didn't realise just how closely and specifically. However, there's a word that I feel is sorely missing in this video, and that word is "interpretation". I'm probably nitpicking a bit right now, but throughout the essay, you refer to the movie's different interpretations as "theories" and discuss whether they're "true" - but that's not how art works. An interpretation of a movie can totally contradict the writer's intention and still be completely valid. In this case, for example, I'm not completely convinced that Miyazaki deliberately put each of the lessons from HDYL's essays into tBatH, but I still think it's a meaningful and worthwhile interpretation that's supported by the text. I personally think the multitude of interpretations is part of what's so magical about art, so the distinction seems important to me. Anyway, keep up the good work. I'll be subscribing, and I'd definitely watch a part two!

[@TekniKali-Mo]

30:22 yis plz ^_^ but only at a pace that's healthy for your mental state and only if it's what you want to be creating 💛 Lovely analysis, but I will agree with a few other commenters that the background music seemed a smidge on the louder part. That pales in comparison to depth of your research though... Well done, looking forward to more 🎉🌻

[@claytonwestphal682]

I would love a part 2

[@StoneSailsSculpture]

Im not sure why people found this movie confusing. I found it obvious to the point Im extremely confused people didn't get it. Can someone explain?

[@micahiwaasa9304]

Oh my god. Rare youtuber who doesn't say Ghibli with a hard G! (Nice vid also.)

[@TheDragonJournals]

I think it was too close to autobiography while still too close to fantastical to be enjoyable. I could point out this aspect or that aspect that referred to an event/passion/worldview from Miyazaki's life

[@stewartclawson]

Please make the part 2

[@Ms-Fortune]

Part 2!! Part 2!!

[@StephenDinosaur]

I got the feeling that this film was created by a man who is coming to terms with his own mortality.

[@99goosebumps16]

yes i want to watch part 2 please.

[@molamolafish666]

Well fuck. Guess I'm gonna have to read this book now. But I'm afraid it's gonna make me cry lol. But really this video makes me want to go back and watch the film again. I would love to see a part 2

[@majastaaf6352]

Part 2 please!

[@marimari41271]

u ate with the title

[@melindawolfUS]

If you have to do this much homework to understand a film, then it ISN'T a standalone film, it's one small part of a multimedia project. I found the film so confusing and unpleasant I couldn't finish it. That was a first for me for a Ghibli film.

[@artiemedley9369]

And THAT'S why Nimona or Across The Spiderverse should've won.

[@opossum_oprincess]

the background music is a little to loud

[@alexhauser5043]

I hate to say this, but It's not one of Miyazaki's better films. It's not thematically incoherent, but the first third of the film is a bore. It probably has the weakest soundtrack of any Studio Ghibli film.