Metaphor in the Boy and the Heron ~ The Meaning of Ghibli ~

Densetsu Media・2 minutes read

The West Coast premiere of Hayao Miyazaki's "The Boy and the Heron" was met with mixed interpretations, with many viewers finding it cryptic and laden with deeper meaning. The film invites metaphorical interpretations, touching on themes of balance, consumption, creativity, and sincerity, ultimately encouraging viewers to embrace beauty and heart in their creative pursuits.

Insights

  • The film "The Boy and the Heron" invites deep interpretation and metaphorical analysis, drawing parallels to Greek rationalist approaches to myths and emphasizing the importance of deriving non-literal meanings from art.
  • Studio Ghibli's "The Boy and the Heron" symbolizes a reflection on Miyazaki's works and the world of Ghibli itself, embodying themes of balance, inspiration, and the essence of creativity, urging viewers to embrace sincerity and beauty in their creative pursuits.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of metaphor in art?

    Metaphor in art allows for non-literal interpretations, adding depth and complexity to the work. It can convey abstract ideas, emotions, or themes that go beyond the surface narrative, inviting viewers to engage with the piece on a deeper level. By deriving meaning from metaphor, audiences can explore different perspectives and uncover hidden layers of symbolism within the artwork, enhancing their overall experience and understanding of the creative work.

  • How does the concept of the death of the author impact narrative interpretation?

    The concept of the death of the author suggests that the meaning of a narrative is not solely determined by the creator's intentions. Instead, it emphasizes that multiple interpretations of a work are valid, not just the author's perspective. This approach allows for a more open-ended and inclusive understanding of art, encouraging viewers to engage with the work in their own unique ways and derive personal meanings from it. By recognizing the autonomy of interpretation, audiences can appreciate the richness and complexity of narratives beyond the confines of the creator's original intent.

  • What challenges does Studio Ghibli face in terms of succession?

    Studio Ghibli faces challenges in terms of succession after Hayao Miyazaki, particularly with prominent directors like Isao Takahata passing away and Goro Miyazaki expressing dissatisfaction with his work. The studio must navigate the transition to a new generation of filmmakers while upholding its legacy of creating iconic and innovative works. Finding directors who can carry on the spirit of Studio Ghibli and maintain its reputation for quality storytelling and animation poses a significant challenge, especially in an industry marked by low wages and a trend of capitalizing on established intellectual properties. The studio's ability to address these succession challenges will be crucial in shaping its future and preserving its unique creative vision.

  • What role do animals play in the metaphor of balance in consumption?

    Animals in the metaphor of balance in consumption highlight the need for moderation and sustainability in human behavior. The film portrays pelicans consuming warawara as a desperate and violent act, contrasting with parakeets' consumption, which is depicted as comical and scheming. This distinction underscores the importance of consuming only what is necessary and avoiding excess, as gluttony can lead to ecological disaster. By symbolizing different approaches to consumption through animals, the film encourages viewers to reflect on their own consumption habits and strive for a balanced and harmonious relationship with the environment.

  • How does "The Boy and the Heron" serve as a call to action for viewers?

    "The Boy and the Heron" serves as a call to action for viewers to embrace beauty, sincerity, and heart in their creative endeavors. The film's deeper meaning goes beyond Hayao Miyazaki's life story, emphasizing empathy, sincerity, and creativity as essential values in the creative process. By encouraging audiences to rewatch the film with a focus on allusions to Ghibli films and analyze the world's meanings through Miyazaki's life and creativity, the film inspires viewers to engage with art in a more profound and meaningful way. Embracing Miyazaki's creed of creating worlds without malice and full of beauty, the film invites audiences to reflect on their own creative pursuits and strive to infuse their work with sincerity and heart.

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Summary

00:00

Miyazaki's "The Boy and the Heron"

  • In October 2023, the West Coast premiere of Hayao Miyazaki's "The Boy and the Heron" took place at the Grauman Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
  • Eric Beckman, head of the film's US distributor GKIDS, introduced the film, quoting Guillermo Del Toro who had done the same at its international premiere in Toronto.
  • Attended with a group of six friends and family, all of whom enjoyed the film, with over half finding it cryptic and holding a deeper, elusive meaning.
  • The film was compared to "Spirited Away" by some, with differing views on its significance, with the narrator considering it Miyazaki's crowning achievement.
  • The internet is filled with reviews describing the film as confounding, mystifying, and inaccessible, prompting the narrator to share a metaphor found in the film.
  • Metaphor is explained as deriving non-literal meaning from art, tracing back to Greek rationalists who interpreted myths in non-literal ways.
  • Susan Sontag's essay "Against Interpretation" discusses how metaphorical interpretations can create new meanings, sometimes erasing the original intent of the art.
  • Roland Barthes' concept of the death of the author emphasizes that narrative is open-ended, with multiple interpretations valid, not just the author's.
  • Neil Gaiman's introduction to "How Do You Live" highlights the harmony between raw text and interpretation, creating something more through metaphor.
  • The film's inspiration, Genzaburo Yoshino's book "How Do You Live," differs significantly from the movie, with the film inviting interpretation due to its inexplicable yet coherent events.

13:37

"Boy and the Heron: Ghibli's Self-Referential Reflection"

  • The film references itself through the book "How Do You Live" found by Mahito, which is not related to the film's events but features an illustration of a car going to the countryside, unlike the book's content.
  • Mahito's move to the country in the movie is a significant event, contrasting with the book's content, and his design and visual style are unusual for a Ghibli work.
  • The film alludes to "Future Boy Conan" by Miyazaki, with similarities in design elements like the ship, tower, and character actions, indicating it as part of Miyazaki's canon.
  • The Boy and the Heron is a Ghibli film reflecting on Ghibli films, symbolizing the 13 Miyazaki canon and the world of Ghibli as a magical realm.
  • The nature of filmmaking, particularly in the Japanese animation industry, involves creators like Miyazaki, producers like Suzuki, and distributors, each with distinct roles and goals.
  • The balance between quality and profit in filmmaking is crucial, with examples like Suzuki pressuring Miyazaki for the ending of Spirited Away due to budget constraints.
  • Miyazaki's success in creating iconic works contrasts with challenges in the animation industry, including low wages and a trend of capitalizing on established IP.
  • Studio Ghibli faces challenges with succession after Miyazaki, with prominent directors like Takahata passing away and Goro Miyazaki expressing dissatisfaction with his work.
  • Characters in Boy and the Heron symbolize real-life figures in Miyazaki's world, with Mahito representing a young creator driven by creativity and sincerity, and the Great Uncle embodying the master of the world.
  • The Heron in the film initially appears as an antagonist but motivates creators like Mahito, representing the role of inspiration and guidance in the creative process.

26:40

Consumption, Creativity, and Balance in Film

  • Pelicans consuming warawara is seen as a desperate and violent act, while parakeets' consumption is comical and scheming.
  • Mahito's eating with Himi and Kiriko symbolizes warmth and sustenance, linking consumption to modern society and obtaining sustenance.
  • Gluttony is consuming beyond needs, while balance involves giving and receiving sustenance.
  • Animals in the metaphor highlight the need for balance in consumption to prevent ecological disaster.
  • The Parakeet King aims to save the world by inspiring the Great Uncle, with Himi symbolizing creativity and passion through fire.
  • The Great Uncle represents the source of power and creativity, while the Parakeet King acts as a distributor.
  • The relationship between the pelicans, parakeets, and heron reflects different roles in the filmic process.
  • The 13 blocks symbolize the core supporting the magical world, with Mahito hesitant to add his own block.
  • The film's deeper meaning is explored beyond Miyazaki's life story, emphasizing empathy, sincerity, and creativity.
  • The Boy and the Heron serves as a call to action for viewers to embrace beauty, sincerity, and heart in their creative endeavors.

40:22

Miyazaki's Allusions: World of Beauty and Meaning

  • Rewatch the film with a focus on allusions to Ghibli films
  • Analyze the world's meanings through Miyazaki's life and creativity
  • Embrace Miyazaki's creed of creating worlds without malice and full of beauty
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