The Boy and the Heron

[Drunk Monk]

This might be Hayao Miyazaki's final work. 

[Drunk Monk]

Another visionary work from Miyazaki, although a bit formulaic for him. He’s got some themes that are constantly echoing in his films - the displaced loner child is relocated by circumstance to a rural place where he discovers a magical world with hyper cute and disturbingly malevolent beings, and we’re old women that are like dwarves with heads that are way too big for their half-sized bodies. Weird tiny totems. The backgrounds are as much and richly illustrated as ever. This film is less coherent, more existential, with many scenes that don’t make too much sense but are glorious to watch. There’s some confusing characters that look alike - the protagonist’s dad remarries his wife’s sister after he is widowed. On top of that, the wife moves back and forth through time, appearing at different ages, which gets confusing. 

I enjoyed it but it left me shaking my head trying to decode it all. At some point, I gave up and just let it wash over me. 

Solid voice cast.

There’s lots of bird poop. I wonder if Miyazaki had or has a budgie. 

Only D00M recommended if you’re into anime.