Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” Won Best Animated Feature Film at the 2024 Oscars!

In a triumphant moment for anime enthusiasts worldwide, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and the Heron” won the title of “Best Animated Feature” at the 2024 Oscars. This marks Miyazaki’s second Oscar win in this category, and it comes after a 21-year wait for anime to claim the prestigious award once again.

Competing against formidable contenders such as Disney’s “Elemental“, Blue Sky Studios “Nimona“, Arcadia Motion Pictures “Robot Dreams“, and Sony Pictures Animation’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse“, “The Boy and the Heron” emerged as the winner.

The Culmination of Miyazaki’s Career?

“The Boy and the Heron” is believed to be the final film from the venerable Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. Inspired by Genzaburō Yoshino’s 1937 novel “How Do You Live?” the film weaves a loosely autobiographical narrative centered around a young boy during World War II, embarking on a quest to find his mother in a mysterious fantasy world.

While there have been indications that Miyazaki may not be actively planning further feature films, Ghibli’s vice-president Junichi Nishioka denied rumors of Miyazaki’s retirement, asserting that the 83-year-old director is “already coming into the office with new ideas, as of September.

Legacy and Recognition

Hayao Miyazaki remains as one of the most high-profile Japanese animators globally, with an impressive track record of awards. This includes winning the best-animated feature Oscar in 2003 for “Spirited Away” and receiving two additional Oscar nominations for “Howl’s Moving Castle” in 2006 and “The Wind Rises” in 2014.

“The Boy and the Heron” is not only a triumph in terms of critical acclaim but also a feat in production. According to the film producer, it holds the distinction of being the highest-budget film ever produced by Japan, and its creation spanned a seven-year period.

Miyazaki’s influence is further underscored by the inclusion of three of his movies in Japan’s Top 10 highest-grossing movies. Those being: