In The Box Office Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Opens Strong in Japan

The co-founder and president Toshio Suzuki disclosed at an event in Tokyo that Hayao Miyazaki was a little concerned about the no marketing for the film The Boy and the Heron due to Studio Ghibli’s plan. Suzuki went on to defend his method: “In my opinion, in this age of so much information, the lack of information is entertainment. I don’t know if this will work. But as for me, I believe in it.”

Miyazaki had nothing to worry about though as The Boy and the Heron was reviewed on Friday in Japan and earned $13.2 million (1.83 billion yen) according to ComScore. In IMAX, it opened to $1.7 million from 44 screens, which set a new 3-day record for IMAX screening in Japan. No Western media has reviewed The Boy and the Heron, but Japan’s media has reported that the film has a “truly astounding” experience with beautiful visuals and deep philosophical messages.

The Boy and the Heron will be released in North America by GKIDS later this year. There has been speculation that the international premiere of The Boy and the Heron would be held at the upcoming Venice Film Festival where Miyazaki’s other films have their first showing outside of Japan.