Summary of the Key Points:
– Animated films often begin with a parental death to set the stage for character growth.
– This method is common in Disney movies and works well in fairytale storytelling.
– The concept is also seen in many Hayao Miyazaki films, like “The Boy and the Heron.”
H3 Hot Take:
Get-ready-for-the-tears animated movies, step aside. The ‘vamos-aughts-my-beloved-parent-just-died-and-I-must-grow’ narrative is skidding-slipperier-than-Bambi-on-ice into 3D applications too. Talk about a lethal dose of real-world sorrow for your 3D popping joy. This storytelling strategy, affectionately known as Parent-got-slayed-by-plot-convenience, gives the much-needed character growing spice, thanks to the darling animators at Disney and Mr. Hayao Miyazaki. Now, buckle up survivors, ready your 3D glasses and tissues, and wait for the surprise – the potentially-heartbreaking rollercoaster journey in the boy and the heron’s tale. Movie magic or therapy session? You decide.
H1 Skwigly Animation Magazine Review:
The Boy and the Heron & Miyazaki: Coming of Age Through Grief
H2 Character Growth Through Disney and Miyazaki’s Despair-Driven Dynamics
Universally, the death of a parent as a plot device in animated films is a familiar trope. Often seen in Disney movies, audiences are conditioned to anticipate a tragic event at the story’s beginning. This approach to storytelling effectively propels a character out from under their protective shell, initiating their journey of growth.
This recurring narrative thread is also often woven into the films of Hayao Miyazaki, who is famous for his plotlines centered around the development and maturation of youthful characters. His latest addition to the acclaimed Ghibli catalogue continues this tradition, employing the early separation of child and parent. Yet with The Boy and the Heron, it is clear that Miyazaki does not always rely on fatality to create such division.
This theme shows up differently across Miyazaki’s works, influencing his characters in various ways. It suggests a wide emotional spectrum reflecting the nuances of handling grief and traversing the path to adulthood.
Independence Upon Loss
In The Boy and the Heron, a parent’s death ignites the story. We are introduced to this tale through intense imagery of a burning hospital and a child desperately calling for his mother. Similar opening scenes set the tone for the captivating tale of Castle in the Sky which revolves around two orphans. Conversely, in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, a parent’s death occurs slightly later, destabilizing the main character’s sense of reality.
Nausicaa becomes resolute in avenging her father, the late king of the Valley of the Wind, and upholding his beliefs. She strives to foster harmony among humanity within the post-apocalyptic world, mimicking the peaceful coexistence observed in her father’s valley.
Character responses to loss can range from being determined, like characters from Castle in the Sky,Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbour Totoro, and Ponyo, to feeling utterly scared and overwhelmed as depicted through the journeys of characters in Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron.
Stepping into Adulthood
Studio Ghibli films often portray young characters tackling independence and all its harsh realities in diverse ways. These characters encounter different life situations that contribute to their personal growth.
Miyazaki has a tendency to incorporate elements of hard work in his storytelling. He uses this to depict the pride one can derive from earnest effort, and how happiness can still be found despite systemic exploitation.
For instance, characters like Mahito from The Boy and the Heron join a lineage of Ghibli kids working hard through their journeys. This reflective exposure to the life-death cycle transforms his perception of death, pushing him towards his own growth.
Mahito’s ability to connect with a younger incarnation of his mother, a aspect of this fantastical world, lends him a deeper understanding of her and reaches a sort of closure. This emotional journey, coupled with his newfound perception of death, aids his transformation across the film.
The Multifaceted Journey of Coming-of-Age
Though Miyazaki’s films share recurring themes, his characters’ circumstances and learnings vary significantly, illustrating the numerous ways one can navigate the path to adulthood. Some stories focus on voluntary withdrawal from home, while others depict the harsh reality of forced separation.
Through his imaginative storytelling, Miyazaki explores the complexities of life, presenting hard-hitting life lessons softened by the fantastical elements of his narratives. His films, a delicate balance of whimsy and deep meanings, capture the heartaches and triumphs of the coming-of-age journey.
Make sure to catch The Boy and the Heron in UK theatres from the 26th of December 2023
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/the-boy-and-the-heron-miyazaki-coming-of-age-through-grief/