First reviews of the mysterious new Studio Ghibli movie

The first reviews of the long-awaited but mysterious new film from Studio Ghibli How do you live?now officially titled The boy and the heron internationally, have emerged online.

Animation icon Hayao Miyazaki’s latest entry has drawn significant attention to the fact that she (apart from a poster of a bird-like creature) has had no promotion, including including no trailer, photo or even a synopsis.

Released in Japan today (July 14), those who managed to catch Miyazaki’s first film since 2013 The wind picks up have delivered their first verdicts – and they are decidedly mixed.

Related: When Will Studio Ghibli’s Latest Film Be Available In The UK & US?

The BBC’s Matt Schley notes that How do you live? is “full of Miyazaki’s obsessions, quirks, and thematic preoccupations”.

“There are the usual visual treats, like cute-yet-weird creatures, gorgeous food, and gravity-defying flights of fancy – mostly hand-drawn and moving with the fluidity and sense of weight that characterizes the work of the artist. master animator,” he adds.

Comparing it thematically to previous classics such as Kiki’s Delivery Service And Taken away as if by magiche described it as “a coming-of-age tale in which a child must overcome his selfishness and learn to live for others”.

It is in these themes that Anime News Network‘s Richard Eisenbeis says in his review that the film excels, with a “powerful narrative” and “stunning animation”, while praising composer Joe Hisaishi’s score.

Related: Studio Ghibli Movies On Netflix Are Really Worth Watching

However, he also called the film “extremely predictable”, suggesting that it is “obvious from the start what the thematic shape of the film will be”.

Still, the reviewer predicted it could “become a classic in decades to come”, and while it’s not “the absolute pinnacle of Miyazaki films, it’s still an excellent one – and certainly not a bad for Miyazaki”.

Full frontalMatteo Watzky similarly praised the “technically stunning” animation, while suggesting that “narratively the film is difficult to assess”.

“Crossing both old and new ground, it illustrates how the director’s creativity is a deep well that never seems to dry up,” he added. “It may be absurd, but at this point I just want to wish for another film in this vein, which would build on its strengths, continue to take the new roads it opened up and correct some of its defaults.

Related: Studio Ghibli My Neighbor Totoro return to London – how to get tickets

“It’s hard work, and as written I don’t think it will work for everyone – I’m not even sure it worked for me. But that difficulty and ambiguity might be its best quality, the ultimate showcase of Miyazaki’s talent, nuance and imagination.”

Invisible Japanis portrayed by Noah Oskow How do you live? as “Miyazaki’s personal film through and through”, but added, “It seems to have no desire to be a breakout hit or have mass appeal.

“What it does have, however, is a deeper message for an unknown world and the young people who will have to live there.

“If this is Miyazaki’s last film, I can only thank him for this message – and for his many decades of creating some of the best animated films in the world.”

How do you live? is out now in Japan, with US and UK releases yet to be confirmed. Almost every Studio Ghibli movie is now available to stream on Netflix.