Following its acquisition of the film’s North American theatrical distribution rights, GKIDS has announced that Studio Ghibli’s upcoming animated feature is getting a new title overseas.
Dubbed the final work of legendary “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke” helmer Hayao Miyazaki, the film was released as “How Do You Live” in Japan today with a single poster being the only promotional material of the film issued prior to release – no trailers, synopsis or anything.
The film will be released internationally with the title “The Boy and The Heron” and is scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters later this year with an English voice cast to be announced at a later time.
With the film now out in Japan, details have finally emerged about the story which takes place during the Second World War. The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Mahito Maki (Santoki) who is moved to a countryside town with his father and aunt, a place where he doesn’t fit in.
He soon discovers a mysterious abandoned tower in the woods nearby and, with the help of a talking grey heron, enters a fantastical alternate world of magic.
The Japanese voice cast includes Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Ko Shibasaki, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura, Karou Kobayashi, and Shinobu Otake.
Source: GKIDS
