The Boy and the Heron or as it's more aptly titled in Japanese, How Do You Live?, is a very heartfelt and reflective story that feels like a mix of Annihilation and Alice in Wonderland, in what is possibly Hayao Miyazaki's final film.
In some ways this movie felt like a tale of two stories, and I found that to be intentional as I believe that The Boy and The Heron is described as a pseudo autobiography for Miyazaki as he comes to terms with his own mortality and the uncertain fate of everything he worked for and built in his life.
Having read some of the original manga by Shirow Masamune, and watched a little of Standalone Complex (I really need to get around to watching that eventually), it's very apparent that this film was directed by Oshii Mamoru and his kind of ethereal style and flair really helps to set this version of the material in a different lens compared to even other entries in the same franchise. From the shot selection, to the soundtrack and sound design and the lingering on images and words, there was a lot of 90s anime goodness to re-experience.
To me as a viewer, it felt like there were two distinct eras within the film that I want to focus on: the first half which establishes a myriad of worlds for Mahito to visit and learn about; and the final act where Mahito's ancestor searches for a successor to carry on his legacy and preserve what he built.
As perhaps the most famous and iconic name in Japanese animation, many of us grew up on the fantastical worlds of Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, and in that same way this movie recaptures that magic and feeling from when I first watched those films. The stunning landscapes and animation invoke memories of the prior two movies I mentioned, and the cute little mascot characters immediately made me think of the Soot Sprites and Forest Spirits; it felt like Hayao Miyazaki knew exactly how to draw me in, that Studio Ghibli is better than it ever has been.
However the tone shifts subtly but quite dramatically once we arrive at the tower, and we meet the figure who has been talked about the entire movie: Mahito's Great Grand Uncle, who I assume is intended to be a representation of Miyazaki himself. Everyday he stacks a collection of blocks and reveals that he has been doing this for many, many years and hopes that Mahito will become his successor, lest everything he worked his whole life for fall apart and forgotten. All the worlds, characters, and creatures he envisioned and molded will just return to the mundane or disappear entirely. Mahito's ancestor offered him control of his tower several times, even tempting him with 13 blocks to build his world, (perhaps a subtle nod to The Boy and The Heron being Miyazaki's 12th movie at Studio Ghibli, so one more for him to continue on his work and legacy) and believes that Mahito can build out his ideal world too.
You can tell that Miyazaki likely experienced or even maybe still feels these feelings of apprehension about his legacy and studio. The most important thing and taboo within the movie was disrupting the birth of a potential successor, as he stated that only a blood relative could take control of the tower. Only a direct descendent could take control of Ghibli after he's gone. However, even amongst that fear, Mahito's Great Grand Uncle knew that he had to let everyone return to their own times, that no matter what may happen, good or bad. Although there is the possibility of everything falling apart once Miyazaki passes, I believe that The Boy and The Heron attempts to find solace in the fact that these stories and worlds left real, indelible marks on the people who watched and experienced them. In the end, although Mahito elects to return home and his great grand uncle's tower and worlds revert to nothingness, Mahito manages to take one of the blocks with him, with the Heron saying that everyone forgets eventually, but maybe Mahito will remember.
The movie ends abruptly after Mahito and his step mother return to their normal lives, with no indication to whether Mahito remembers his time in the tower, or if he even has the block anymore; as if to say that everyone takes a little piece of worlds that Miyazaki built with them and we can only see what they will do with them or if they'll ultimately be forgotten with time.