Renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's new Oscar-winning animated feature, "The Boy and the Heron," premiered in Shanghai on March 28, with his longtime collaborator and friend, Toshio Suzuki, sharing emotional insights behind the production and reflecting on their illustrious past.

Studio Ghibli executive and producer Toshio Suzuki speaks at the Chinese premiere of "The Boy and the Heron" in Shanghai, March 28, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse]

"When finishing this film, Miyazaki said to himself, 'This really is my final film,'" recalled Suzuki, 75, a Studio Ghibli executive and producer who traveled to Shanghai to support the film's release in China, scheduled for April 3. Believing they were creating Miyazaki's last film, they spared neither time nor expense, taking seven years to complete "The Boy and the Heron."

This effort, encapsulating the experiences and reflections of Miyazaki's life and regarded as the "movie of his lifetime," won another Oscar for the 83-year-old animator at the 96th Academy Awards earlier this year. It was his first win since "Spirited Away" in 2003.

While "The Boy and the Heron" has had little to no promotion in Japan and many other markets, the situation is different in China. Motivated by a fondness for the country and that Alibaba Pictures signed a cooperation deal with Studio Ghibli in January to collaborate on various projects, Suzuki chose China for the film's first promotion activities. Due to his age and health concerns, it's inconvenient for Miyazaki to travel. Nevertheless, he recorded a video with Suzuki to greet Chinese audiences, reflect on his previous visit to China, and announce Suzuki's attendance at the premiere. The two visited China four decades ago, alongside their late friend and collaborator Isao Takahata, who passed away in 2018.

Suzuki recounted that during their visit to the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, he and Miyazaki were impressed by animated shorts like "Baby Tadpoles Look for Their Mother" and "Buffalo Boy and the Flute." The refined and meticulous production of these Chinese animations made a profound impression on them, prompting Miyazaki to remark, "Reaching this level of craftsmanship is truly difficult."

"The Boy and the Heron" tells a story in which, following his mother's death and his father's remarriage, a headstrong boy named Mahito Maki ventures into a dreamlike world shared by both the living and the dead. After years of hiatus, Miyazaki "prepared himself for the possibility of dying during the making of this film" and projected his own personal experiences onto the protagonist, Mahito, reconciling with past regrets.

Studio Ghibli executive and producer Toshio Suzuki poses with actors Liu Haoran, Da Peng, and Zhu Yawen, who are part of the voice cast for "The Boy and the Heron," and with the audience, for a photo at the film's premiere in Shanghai, March 28, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse]

In the film, Suzuki inspires the character of The Grey Heron, as shared at the premiere. Other friends and collaborators of Miyazaki are also hidden within, including Isao Takahata as the Granduncle. Takahata's long collaboration and inspirational influence on Miyazaki were significant, and his passing during production was a huge blow to Miyazaki. A pivotal scene involves the protagonist's handling of the Granduncle's legacy, a difficult decision for Miyazaki, symbolizing his final farewell to Takahata in this film.

Miyazaki's animations have captivated generations of Chinese audiences. In recent years, several beloved classics by Miyazaki have successfully reached Chinese screens, including "My Neighbor Totoro," "Porco Rosso," "Laputa: Castle in the Sky," and "Ponyo." The Academy Award-winning "Spirited Away" was particularly successful, grossing 488 million yuan ($69 million) in the Chinese market. On April 30, "Howl's Moving Castle" will also hit China's big screens. Additionally, a Studio Ghibli-endorsed immersive exhibition in Shanghai will open on April 12 and run until Oct. 31.

An IMAX poster for "The Boy and the Heron." [Image courtesy of IMAX China]

"Wow, I have worked with Hayao Miyazaki for 46 years, and we are so close," Suzuki said of his partnership and friendship with the animation maestro after viewing retro video footage at the premiere. "But I would rather look forward than back. I will continue to walk with him down the road, as always, until one of us dies."