the boy and the heron

The Boy And The Heron Comes To 4K Blu-Ray This July

5 Comments | anime, Blu-Ray, hayao miyazaki, studio ghibli, the boy and the heron | By | | 2 minutes of reading

While it might seem inevitable that Hayao Miyazaki‘s latest would hit physical disc this year, what’s different is the format we’re talking about. The Boy And The Heron has been announced for DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K — the first Miyazaki film to be offered in a resolution that high.

It’s true; none of the other Ghibli notables have hit 4K disc yet. Whether that’s because of rights issues or not, we don’t know, but this one’s new enough to have 4K as an option right from the start. There will be three editions of The Boy And The Heron available, each with two discs: DVD and Blu-Ray, 4K and Blu-Ray, and a limited edition Steelbook (with 4K and Blu-Ray).

Each version will contain both the original Japanese track and a new English track starring the voices of Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh. Special features will include feature-length storyboards, interviews with composer Joe Hisaishi and producer and Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, a drawing featurette with supervising animator Takeshi Honda, a music video for the film’s theme song from J-Pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu, teasers and trailers.

The Boy and the Heron follows young Mahito, who, after losing his mother during the war in a hospital fire, moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastical world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world and the truth about himself.

Look for The Boy And The Heron in stores everywhere online (because every retailer is getting rid of their home video section) July 9.

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Avatar of Against The Odds
Against The Odds

Take a look at me now

499 messages 21 likes
#1 May 03, 2024

Miyazaki's films have always held a special place in my heart. From the whimsical landscapes of Spirited Away to the fantastical creatures of My Neighbor Totoro, each frame bursts with imagination and wonder. The Boy and the Heron hitting 4K Blu-Ray feels like a chance to revisit that childhood magic in the highest possible fidelity.

While I adore the original Japanese voice acting, the English cast with names like Bale and Pugh is certainly intriguing. It'll be fascinating to see how their interpretations breathe new life into these characters. Plus, the bonus features like storyboards and composer interviews offer a glimpse into the creative process behind this soon masterpiece

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Avatar of Jerston
Jerston

New Member

478 messages 1 like
#2 May 03, 2024

The Boy and the Heron's story about a boy's connection with nature resonates deeply with me. Miyazaki's films often explore themes of environmentalism and the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world. Seeing this film in stunning 4K resolution will undoubtedly amplify the beauty and wonder of the natural world depicted on screen.The inclusion of a featurette on the animation process is particularly exciting. Witnessing the meticulous detail and artistry poured into each frame will further emphasize the respect Miyazaki and his team have for the natural world they portray.

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Avatar of Kenough
Kenough

Forever is not Kenough

721 messages 22 likes
#3 May 03, 2024

4K is cool, but honestly, I'm just glad this movie is finally coming out on physical media. Streaming services are great, but there's something satisfying about having a physical copy to add to my shelf. Plus, those special features sound like a treasure trove for any Ghibli fan.

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Avatar of Lividmanda
Lividmanda

New Member

77 messages 3 likes
#4 May 03, 2024

While I appreciate the accessibility of 4K, there's something special about watching Ghibli films on Blu-Ray. The classic format feels more fitting for the timeless quality of the animation. Still, I'm curious to see how the story translates to the higher resolution.

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Avatar of Fox Brews
Fox Brews

Scribe

450 messages 0 likes
#5 May 03, 2024

Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, and Florence Pugh? Wow, that's an all-star cast! I'm usually a purist for the original Japanese audio, but this English dub might be worth checking out. Might be a fun way to experience the film in a new light. This is why I prefer dub over sub

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