The Boy and the Heron: Special Exhibition
Marking the release of director Hayao Miyazaki’s new film 'The Boy and the Heron' (also known as 'How do You Live?' in Japanese), the museum dedicated to anime powerhouse Studio Ghibli presents a behind-the-scenes look at the hand-drawn animation that contributes so much to the movie’s charm. In the production process of 'The Boy and the Heron', virtually all of the drawings used were pencil-drawn onto paper, while backgrounds were hand-painted with poster colours. The result is a production in which the presence of Miyazaki and his team of artists and animators is tangible. At this point in the 21st century, the reality is that even most 'hand-drawn' anime productions involve extensive use of digital tools, making ‘The Boy and the Heron’ something of a rarity. This special exhibition presents the original drawings used in the film’s production process, revealing that in the form of still frames too, Ghibli’s creations possess expressive power. This showcase is divided into three parts, and will tentatively run through to May 2025: check the Ghibli Museum website for details. Note: Ghibli Museum tickets are not available at the door. See this feature to learn how to get your tickets in advance. Text by Darren Gore