The Boy and the Heron is a 2023 Japanese animated fantasy film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The film follows a boy named Mahito Maki who moves to the countryside after his mother’s death and discovers an abandoned tower near his new home. The film is described as a “big, fantastical film” and follows themes of coming of age and coping with conflict and loss. The film was released in Japan on July 14, 2023, by Toho, and grossed over 300$ million worldwide, making it the fifth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. The film won Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and the Japanese Film Academy.
Memrise, a language learning app, is launching a course inspired by this Japanese film The Boy and the Heron, which encourages repetition to recognize kanji characters and sounds. The course is short but features similar Ghibli-themed courses like Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle. Memrise CEO Steven Toy explains that foreign films serve as a bridge between cultures, and Studio Ghibli has inspired many people to learn Japanese and Japanese culture. The app aims to help fans learn alongside their favorite films.
Now dig in to the deatils of The Boy and the Heron Sparks Language Lessons.
Table of Contents
Overview
Let’s first have a look on the plot of The Boy and the Heron Sparks Language Lessons.
During the Pacific War, Mahito Maki loses his mother, Hisako, in the firebombing of Tokyo. His father, Shoichi, marries his late wife’s sister, Natsuko, and they evacuate to her rural estate. Mahito encounters a grey heron leading him to a sealed tower, the last known location of Natsuko’s architect granduncle. After a school fight, Mahito injures himself, but Natsuko saves him with an arrow. Mahito is deceived by a watery imitation of his mother, which dissolves at his touch. Mahito pierces the heron’s beak with his arrow, revealing a flightless creature, the Birdman, living inside it. A wizard orders the Birdman to guide Mahito and Kiriko as they sink into the floor.
Mahito descends into an oceanic world, where he is rescued from attacking pelicans and a megalithic dolmen. They catch and sell a giant fish to bubble-like spirits called Warawara, which fly to the world above to be reborn. A pyrokinetic young woman, Himi, protects Warawara from predation by the pelicans. Kiriko mediates peace between Mahito and the Birdman, and Mahito plugs the Birdman’s beak, restoring his flight.
In a dream, Mahito meets the wizard, Natsuko’s granduncle, who requests Mahito to succeed in the custodianship of the world. Mahito is freed from captivity by the Birdman and they climb the tower to pursue the Parakeet King, who tries to build a better world. The world collapses and floods, and Mahito, Himi, and the Birdman escape, reunited with Natsuko and Kiriko.
Memrise x Studio Ghibli Language Course
Memrise, a language learning app, is launching a course inspired by the Japanese trailer of The Boy and the Heron. The course encourages repetition to help users recognize keywords by kanji character and sound. Memrise CEO Steven Toy stated that foreign films serve as a bridge between cultures, offering audiences an opportunity to connect and engage with languages they wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to. Studio Ghibli has inspired many people to learn Japanese and about Japanese culture, and Memrise aims to help fans build on this inspiration and provide opportunities to learn alongside their favorite films. English-speaking fans can follow up with the English dubbed trailer released by GKIDS.
Cast
The cast includes:
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Christian Bale will voice Shoichi Maki, a character that may reflect his signature intensity and depth.
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Dave Bautista has been cast as The Parakeet King, bringing a strong and commanding tone to the role.
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Gemma Chan is voicing Natsuko, likely offering grace and emotional balance to the character.
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Willem Dafoe will play Noble Pelican, a role that suits his unique and expressive voice.
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Karen Fukuhara takes on the role of Lady Himi, expected to deliver a performance that is both gentle and powerful.
FAQs
Here are some FAQs for the Memrise x Studio Ghibli Language Course:
1. What is the Memrise x Studio Ghibli Language Course?
The Memrise x Studio Ghibli Language Course is a collaboration between Memrise and Studio Ghibli, designed to help users learn Japanese through iconic moments and phrases from Studio Ghibli films. It combines language learning with the beloved animations, making the learning process fun and engaging.
2. What level of Japanese is this course suitable for?
The course is designed for beginners, though learners with some basic knowledge of Japanese can also benefit. It starts with simple phrases and gradually progresses to more complex sentences.
3. How is the course structured?
The course is divided into multiple lessons that correspond to themes and scenes from Studio Ghibli movies. It uses visual aids, audio clips, and interactive exercises to help users retain new vocabulary and grammar.
4. What Studio Ghibli films are featured in the course?
The course includes language learning materials inspired by iconic Studio Ghibli films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke. These films are woven into the lessons to make learning more engaging.
5. Can I access the course for free?
The course is available through the Memrise platform. While Memrise offers some content for free, full access to the Studio Ghibli course requires a subscription to Memrise Pro.
6. Does the course include Kanji?
Yes, the course introduces Kanji alongside Hiragana and Katakana. However, it starts with basic characters and gradually builds up to more complex Kanji, ensuring learners are not overwhelmed.
7. Is the course available on mobile devices?
Yes, the Memrise app is available for both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to learn on the go. You can access the Memrise x Studio Ghibli Language Course anytime, anywhere.
8. How long does it take to complete the course?
The length of time it takes to complete the course varies depending on your learning pace. On average, learners can expect to spend several weeks progressing through all the levels, with some users taking months to fully complete the course.
9. Will I become fluent in Japanese by taking this course?
While this course provides a solid foundation in the Japanese language, achieving fluency requires continued practice and exposure to the language. The Memrise x Studio Ghibli Language Course is a great starting point and complements other forms of language study.
10. Can I track my progress?
Yes, Memrise allows you to track your progress, review words and phrases you’ve learned, and see your improvement over time. The app uses spaced repetition to help reinforce your learning.
11. Is this course suitable for all ages?
Yes, the course is designed to be enjoyable for learners of all ages, making it a fun and interactive way to learn Japanese, especially for Studio Ghibli fans.
Final Thoughts
The Boy and the Heron is a 2023 Japanese animated fantasy film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The film follows Mahito Maki, a boy who moves to the countryside after his mother’s death and discovers an abandoned tower. The film, released in Japan on July 14, 2023, grossed around 300$ million worldwide, making it the fifth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time.
Memrise, a language learning app, is launching a course inspired by the film, encouraging repetition to recognize kanji characters and sounds. The course is short but features similar Ghibli-themed courses like Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle. Memrise CEO Steven Toy believes foreign films serve as a bridge between cultures, and the app aims to help fans learn alongside their favorite films.
