The Boy and the Heron Reveals US Release Date in First-Ever Trailer

After much anticipation, GKIDS finally announced the US release date of The Boy and the Heron, Hayao Miyazaki’s latest anime film.

The film’s US release date was announced alongside the release of the anime’s first proper trailer which finally gave fans their first look at this film which, up to this point, has been shrouded in mystery.

This is because Studio Ghibli went with an unusual promotion strategy for the new Miyazaki anime movie.

Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron Gets First-Ever Trailer

Practically every movie and show today gets at least one trailer for promotion. But Studio Ghibli did not release a trailer for Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron (or How Do You Live? in Japan) before it was released in Japanese cinemas.

Despite getting only a poster as its sole promotional material, the film became a box office hit in Japan. This makes sense given how beloved Hayao Miyazaki and his movies are in Japan.

While it initially seemed that the movie would also get no promotion for its US release, distributor GKIDS shifted strategy a bit as it released the film’s first-ever trailer, which you can watch here:

Unlike Miyazaki’s previous film – The Wind Rises – which had a more grounded story, the trailer for The Boy and the Heron revealed that it has some fantastical elements despite its World War II-era Japanese setting.

Along with the film’s fantasy elements, the new trailer also gave fans a taste of the movie’s incredible animation.

Based on this preview, fans of Studio Ghibli should be excited about this film’s release.

ALSO READ: Where to Watch and Stream the Ghibli Films Free Online

GKIDS Announces The Boy and the Heron Official US Cinema Release Date

Fans won’t have to wait too long for the film to release as GKIDS also confirmed in the trailer that The Boy and the Heron will be released in the US and Canada on December 8.

Before the film’s general release, there will be special preview screenings on November 22 in North America. However, there’s currently no word yet on the specific venues for these previews.

GKIDS did confirm through Twitter that the movie will get an English dub, though more details about the language options will be shared closer to the film’s release.

Much like in Japan, The Boy and the Heron will be released in IMAX cinemas in the US and Canada. It will also be screened in regular cinemas on December 8.

Get the latest anime news and info by following us on Twitter @epicstreamanime.

READ NEXT: The Best Studio Ghibli Watch Order