Art of the Boy and the Heron

by Hayao Miyazaki

Celebrate the artistry of visionary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki with the official art book The Art of the Boy and the Heron.

In Studio Ghibli’s Academy Award®–winning fantasy adventure film, The Boy and the Heron, young Mahito loses his mother and is plunged into a journey of discovery led by a mischievous gray heron. This gorgeous art book is filled with hundreds of pieces of concept art, storyboards, character designs, backgrounds, key animation, and more that illuminate the inventive vision of acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki.

This book features commentary and interviews from the incredible team that shaped this film and past Studio Ghibli masterpieces. Readers will gain insight into the extensive production process and the painstaking work that went into the creation of this film from supervising animator Takeshi Honda, art director Yoji Takeshige, background artist Noboru Yoshida, and many more. The book also includes the director’s original memos proposing the creation of the film, the full script, and many other intriguing details.

Genres: Art

328 pages, Hardcover

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Hayao Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 駿) is a celebrated Japanese animator, filmmaker, screenwriter, and manga artist, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of animation. He is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, the animation studio responsible for producing many of Japan’s most beloved and internationally acclaimed animated films. Over the course of a career spanning decades, Miyazaki has developed a reputation for creating visually rich, emotionally resonant stories that often explore themes such as nature, pacifism, flight, childhood, and the human condition.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.

Reviews

[Cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Thank you Edelweiss and Hayao Miyazaki for providing an ARC of this book]

Sometimes I forget how wonderful art is. How much we can enjoy the things people create especially when they made it with love and passion. And I definitely forget how hard it is to make an animated film with such beauty. The flowers, the landscapes, the characters, the birds…

I think Hayao Miyazaki has one of the most interesting minds in the world. I would love to be able to see the work in all of his movies. And not only Hayao Miyazaki, but all the artists that are behind this: Noboru Yoshida, Takeshi Honda, Shinya Ohira, Katsuya Kondo, Atsushi Okui, Noriko Takaya, Yui Onodera, Yoji Takeshige, Minori Takayama, Masashi Ando, Yoichi Nishikawa, Kazuo Oga, Hiroomi Yamakawa, Akihiko Yamashita…

I’m amazed by the way they represent what they have in their minds so perfectly and fluently that it seems natural, that it seems real.

Thank you so much!

[Mathou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex work, far from being explained

Studio Ghibli offers this collection of art books after each of its films.
In it, you’ll find preparatory sketches by Master Miyazaki, his production launch speech, as well as fascinating interviews with various contributors.
Don’t expect to find answers about the film’s interpretation, or any behind-the-scenes "secrets." Ghibli does not seek to break the magic that surrounds its creations.

What we are offered is a unique document that gives us a more intimate look at the work. We discover changes, colors, sketches, and images from the film — all presented in a beautifully bound, high-quality book.

I think I’ve just put my finger in the gears, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up buying the entire collection!
The Ghibli universe is truly a place of beauty and art that continues to make my heart flutter!

[Elijah]

That stone meant a lot to Miyazaki, his animators knew, and it took the whole staff, many people from many departments, to make it work, which, in my interpretation of the film, is exactly right.

[AKD · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous artwork, wonderful book! prized possession. i will reread this time and time again