I really am not a fan of how modern audiences can't seem to accept that you are allowed to be confused at the theater. A lot of the most innovative and unique films of the past decade have recieved negative thoughts on the grounds of a confusing plot. I'll be the first to admit that there were several moments in this film where I was confused on what happened, how something worked or how we got to a point, but that is ok. I pulled out the message of the film, I felt the things I was supposed to, and I was entertained the entire time. People complain about screenwriters being too blunt with their writing, (telling and not showing), but when a master like Miyazaki uses extreme subtly and purposefully hides things from the audience, it's slandered as plotless. I sure hope studios are seeing this film for what it is, it would be a shame if avante-garde stories like this one disappeared from the big screen.

It’s also very much about how Miyazaki’s son denied receiving the keys to the kingdom to carry on Miyazaki’s legacy. Especially through the lens of grand uncle is Miyazaki, and mihato is his son. This is basically Miyazaki’s goodbye. There is no heir, no one is continuing it. Very sad and moving.

For me the story started to make sense when I thought of the Tower Master as Miyazaki and it being a biography of his legacy and how he wanted to leave it to an heir, but ultimately gave up knowing that life is more important than creating a perfect world(ghibli).

I was impressed by Robert's voice acting, he truly has a knack for it! The sad thing is, this might be one of the last traditonally animated films we'll ever see again.

Imo, this movie is the deepest Miyazaki movie. On the surface, it's a mix of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. but to me, it's a love letter from Miyazaki to us. He's telling us to create beautiful worlds untainted by malice. That block that Mahito kept at the end is his studio and his movies, a powerful reminder to all of us

Watched this film last night and I struggled to find how I felt about it. I'm glad there's someone else finding value in the pacing of the plot -- "liquid" was such a good way to describe it. Plot slides from one thing to the next without a lot of explicit acknowledgement of what just happened or what was just revealed. In some ways that makes sense for Mahito -- you can see how much his mother's death numbs him. He does react to anything, he doesn't show explicit emotion in the way that a lot of young Miyakzaki protagonists do. But I LOVED that he showed genuine discomfort when his stepmom made him feel her pregnant belly, like the idea of New Life made him visibly sick, because he was still processing the concept of death. So picking apart the places where Mahito really shows emotion is where you can find the character growth that otherwise isn't explicit: losing his mother, crying when he reads her journal, meeting her younger self and being able to let her go. Also, being uncomfortable with pregnancy, then seeing beauty and preciousness in the wara wara, then being angry when those unborn souls die at Himi's hands -- that's how he processes and eventually accepts having his new sibling. It's been a long time since I've seen a Ghibli film for the first time, especially a more fantastical one (Wind Rises felt rooted enough in reality). Since then I've been really invested in western movies and western ideas of what a plot should look like. And I feel like there is a lot to love and appreciate about The Boy and the Heron once you let go of those preconceptions. The movie did not satisfy me on the initial watch but having given myself time to marinate on it, I think it bears a rewatch. Thank you for this video, I had not even considered the autobiographical nature of the characters and am looking forward to watching with that in mind. Thank you for validating and affirming some of the elements I had been feeling uncertain about. There's a strong part of me that knows I can love this movie, and seeing someone else love it so passionately is really reassuring.

This film made me feel like I was in the middle of a dream: experiencing chaotic stories that feel perfectly logical in the context of my sleeping mind. I was so impressed by this - think about how perfectly orchestrated a movie must be to go from disorganized mess to effectively communicating that.

Isao Takahata was essentially to Studio Ghibli and passed away as this movie began. I felt a lot of the grief in the film was symbolic of the studio’s personal loss especially in the form of the Tower Master having to tell everyone to go on and create without him. It felt like the boy, the heron, and the Tower Master were the three main founders of three studio but one was leaving the work behind forever. Having that lens going into the film made me appreciate it so much more.

I’m sorry but how is that Robert Pattinson as the grey heron he was TOO good

I will never forget the scene when Mahito is descending on the beach. The piano, and all those ships on the horizon, all going on the same direction, I almost cried and I don't even know why. After leaving the cinema, I realized it was quite similar to the planes scene in Porco Rosso, when Marco saw the trail of planes going upward, moreso having in mind Kiriko's words, the ships are the dead. This movie is a masterpiece and I have to rewatch it.

i was tearing up within the first scenes. there will never be another like Miyazaki

Saw it this weekend with my kids, who have grown up on his films. We all loved it. And the theater was packed! It was nice to watch it with a crowd that laughed with delight at this film. I have to see it again to take it all in. But it was like the apotheosis of everything he's done for five decades.

I was absolutely confused watching this movie, and I was thinking I missed so much because I didn't understand enough Japanese culture. However, I've realized it was because I didn't have enough knowledge on Miyazaki himself and what he's gone through making this films. I thought the art was beautiful, I saw connections between this and his previous movies, and the message was to create your own world away from malice, which is one superficial glance of the film, but it's so much deeper. The story is not only of the process of understanding emotions for a young child, but also Miyazaki's legacy as an astounding animator. It's absolutely astonishing, and I'm so glad I got to see it. Thank you for the video, and growing my understanding.

I saw this movie last night and couldn't find within myself a way to describe it. Today I was telling someone about it, and found myself becoming emotional and felt like I might cry.

I’ll also say this might be Joe Hisaishi’s best score for a Ghibli film. And I ADORE his other work. Something about the music in this one is just different somehow, and I love it so much

Very nice. I watched in theaters and of course loved the animation but I felt a bit lost after. I knew there were deeper concepts at work in story I couldn’t quite describe as elegantly as you did here. This was a great synopsis of some of those. I talked to several others fans who have seen it and felt like they missed something. Truly a legendary storyteller I am glad I get to live in this world at this moment to appreciate his work. When I hear someone say they didn’t get it I’ll refer them here. ❤

His art style is so, so good.

Hella weird but it was so much fun to watch and the emotions hit where they need to hit

This movie confused me in many ways, and still does, but I hadn't considered some of the angles you mention here. I still dont think I'd agree that it's a masterpiece, but you've opened up new ways for me to think about it when I go for a rewatch.

I love the trope of the old figure trying to pass on his beautiful creation to the younger prodigy.

I watched this movie and came out of the theatre confused. I couldn't tell if I liked it or not (I see others here feeling the same way). I have a habit of taking some things at face value, and this movie is definitely the most subtle Miyazaki film I've ever seen. I definitely need to watch it again, maybe even a few times, because there was a lot I liked and even more that made me really think. I don't think I've ever walked out of a theatre feeling like I did after this movie- like there was a huge underlying metaphor connecting the whole thing that I just wasn't picking up on. Major beats in the story made me feel a lot of emotion that I just couldn't pin down! The thing that struck me the most was just how intentionally stiff, dull, and muted everything is at the beginning. Especially Mahito. For the majority of the time during the beginning, Mahito doesn't emote, he barely talks, he's completely numb. What felt incredibly profound to me were these little moments of big emotion we see in him for brief moments, when he's caught off guard: surprise and wonder over the first shot of his bow, overwhelming grief when reading his mother's book. Most off all, there were tiny subtle flashes of childlike behavior that caught my eye. Mahito's numbness and suppression of his emotions makes it easy to forget that he's still pretty young, so when his naivety and youth shows through it's a surprise. Looking back, this film was great. I definitely recommend giving it a watch (or 5)

I went to the theater with my husband to watch this movie. I was crying from beginning to end... the reasons were pretty diverse. One, was the powerful emotions that exploded on the screen via masterful animation. The beginning part where Mahito is running through the crowds... I felt his emotions directly and it caused me to tear up. Second, it was the themes of this movie. There's a lot going on. Loss, grief, moving forward... etc... I'm not sure if it's because my father passed away a few years ago and right now, I'm struggling emotionally and physically due to my brother's mental disorders/abuse... and healing from all of this (with therapy). I could really feel Mahito's struggles and related a lot to his struggles. I believe his struggles are something everyone faces at least once in their lives. The part that was heartbreaking for me was when the heron tells Mahito "you never saw your mother die" (or something like this), when he is trying to convince Mahito that his mother is alive. It was a cruel bit, but this is also what many people who experienced a death in the family go through during grief.... it's denial. I also wasn't around when my dad passed away and I thought he could be alive somewhere and this is all a big joke. I wonder if that was what Mahito was feeling. Miyazaki has become a master of asking hard questions... and not treating the audience like they are stupid. He doesn't give a straight answer and lets the audience answer them for themselves. The movie makes you ask yourself questions and think hard about how we cope with loss or difficult situations.

My only gripe with the film was the abrupt end. Symbolically it works in that sometimes phases of life arent transitions but clear and suddenly cut shifts. I just found it way too jarring in the theater, I felt slammed into a wall and it took me out of the movie at the last second. Otherwise I enjoyed it and we saw the sub. Serious hats off to the original VAs, especially the parakeet king. They fit perfectly and the intensity of the king and his realization that his world is ending due to the “apathy” of its creator only to attempt to force it to remain, leading to its complete collapse… there are so many good pieces of the story and it is one I’ll be stewing on for a long time. I have a feeling it will hit especially hard ten or twenty years from now when I have more of the life experiences to understand the grand uncle where as now I’m more Mahito.

This was a masterpiece, it had me feeling like a 12 year old watching spirited away for the first time again. Loved everything about this film.

I wish this anime film will be nominated at least for Best Animated Film in next year's Academy Awards. I was really disappointed when Kimi No Nawa was not nominated in 2017. It's time Japanese anime get recognized in Hollywood. The only time an anime film won an Oscar was Spirited Away in 2003.

Saw it last night. It was not at all what I expected. I thought that it would be tonally similar to Spirited Away with a protagonist full of life. Chihiro's emotional arc was palpable in every way. Instead, we are presented with a young boy whose depression is felt not only in his lack of emotion, but in the grayish decor of the first act. That said, this serves as an excellent contrast to the fantastical world that he willingly enters in the second act. We start to feel his tenacity, pressing onward towards his objective by his own accord in a lively setting. The world around him takes shape as he finds the will to persevere. His companions are all very memorable, each with their own distinct personalities. There are some technically mesmerizing scenes similar to Ponyo. Absolutely breathtaking. The sheer number of elements presented on the screen is unforgettable and unique to Miyazaki.

Big fan of video essays. This is wonderfully done! Well paced and thought out.

the bird shit everywhere all the time was absolutely sending me and my dad when we went to see it

I’m Japanese and I felt this movie was like a long picture at Miyazaki’s museum. It’s like a picture rather than a typical story so it takes some time to consume or understand this movie. At first, I couldn’t get it but day by day, I remember this movie and I realized that this movie was a masterpiece, Miyazaki described his life and what a life was with his full of imagination. I want to watch the movie again to appreciate it.

i whent to see it, it was in a jappenese but by the end I did not realise I was reading the subtitles it was absolutely beautiful.

This film is perhaps my favorite film ever, glad to hear someone else appreciates it too!

Why does this video's thumbnail look exactly like Karsten Runquist's Boy and the Heron video

Hey, I know you're a small channel but this is nearly the exact same thumbnail used by Karsten Runquist in his 'The New Studio Ghibli Movie Is Weird... (The Boy and the Heron)' video which was released two months ago. Maybe its better if you used an original thumbnail.

The sound in this film is excellent! And the visuals are stunning. So happy we saw it in the theater. I recommend it if you can do it….

I was shocked at how good this movie was.

I want to buy it on dvd already lol , really wished there was more young artists making imaginative creations like this

This movie could really be my favorite ghibli movie, or even one of my favorite movies ever. Im dying to go see it again

Great video!! It was such a joy to see this movie in theaters.

I appreciate this video, it was helpful in processing my own thoughts on the movie. I haven't been able to get this movie out of my mind since I saw it in theaters, and I am still unsure of my opinion on it. When the movie ended, I sat all the way through the credits, thinking. The animation, character designs and visual world building were of course mesmerizing; Miazaki was somehow able give us fresh, unspoiled designs, while also visually calling back to call many of his previous films, quite a feat. It was the themes and structure I struggled with following. I admit, I did not think about the autobiographical angle, but now it makes perfect sense to me for Mahito and the Granduncle to represent a younger Miazaki and the present Miazaki, providing two bookending perspectives on his life's work. What was hard for me to connect with was Mahito's own personal journey. He was generally hard to read emotionally, which left me feeling like his journey was a little incomplete at the end of the film.The structure was so different from Miazaki's previous films, it almost seemed to be able to move onto the next beat without reflecting on the last, which also made the themes unclear to me. I am understanding the metaphors as they relate to Miazaki's life more, but as for my own take away? I'm still not sure. Maybe if I think of the structure more as a devised theater production rather than a single writer writing a single story. This movie was certainly darker in tone, lacking some of that quintessential Ghibli innocence and idealism. Honestly, I think it needed to be longer, I would have liked to sit with the characters a bit more, as I feel like a never really got a handle on any of them. All this to say, I definitely need to rewatch this movie a few more times to fully appreciate it, I think. In many ways it was classic Miazaki, and in some ways it was a brand new one.

Mahito reminded me of shinji from eva. And the movie's symbolism talking about life and death from the viewpoint of a child is both beautiful and terrifying as it would be for a kid. We can only explain concepts when we have the language for it. But imagine trying to explain the deepest concepts of both life and death using only the imagination of a child.. That's what this is.

Personally i saw a lot of parallels between Miyazaki's own career as an animator and "passing" his legacy onto his hesitant son. Maybe im looking way too far into it but I almost feel like Miyazaki is the great grandad and his son is Mahito. He wants his son to continue on with his profession of animation but his son was never really all that excited to do it. I think this movie would make sense tonally to be his actual last film, but I know he always says the next film is his last haha.

Hayao Miyazaki is the goat of Animation ❤❤

I saw all of the negative reviews, and so I went into the theater prepared to be confused and underwhelmed. Not only was it not confusing, it was poignant and thoughtful, easy-to-grasp and a visual tour de force! This is, without a doubt, the BEST Miyazaki film. It is his magnum opus, and I could not be more pleased. If this is less than a masterpiece to you, you are wrong. Go make your own art.

Just beautiful! Please tell me if I'm not the only one that cried?! 💓😭 Loved every moment of it!❤❤❤

One of my new all-time favorite films

This is absolutely phenomenhal work man!

I watched this film twice. I left the theatre the first time confused. Thought I would give it another watch, and it was worth it. I agree this film was a masterpiece. Once you give into the film, and allow it to be profound instead of meticulously judging it, you start finding meaning in it for yourself. I think its ambiguity works in its favor.

As a big fan of studio Ghibli, this is a masterpiece

This movie was so surreal to watch. I was absolutely captivated, especially as a long time Miyazaki fan. Also a more accurate translation of the original title (kimitachi wa dou ikiru ka) is “how (or in what way) you (all) live” rather than “do”. This definitely is much more representative of the story since it is, as you said, most likely a representation of Miyazaki’s career can’t be replicated by a successor. Instead, he is almost asking, “how will the next generation view the world/represent it” perhaps through art.

Watched it last night, I left the cinema and everything felt like it was on a different frequency, very surreal and beautiful. It is more and more likely that it could probably be his final and I think ultimate masterpiece.

I had chills the whole movie I thought Mahito was just such a phenomal character, and I loved the way his character was developed. I have a couple gripes but in general it was just beautiful and a very fitting last movie for Miyazaki it really is him doing all of the things that he is best at and killing it.

This is a movie I can absolutely see the criticisms and why people don’t like it. But man I absolutely loved it, I need to rewatch it but I have a strong feeling this will be in my top three Miyazaki films easy.

It's been a week, and I'm still thinking about this film's gorgeously sincere emotional journey and fantastically crafted imagery. I need to see it 5 more times. I enjoyed listening to your thoughts on the movie and Miyazaki's career. A lovely, as well as concisely written video essay :)

What strikes me is so masterful about this film is the art does not need to hold "meaning" or be explained to you, and that's why many Western audiences struggle. It was clear by the first act that this was not going to be a straight narrative format where the hero "wins" anything in the end. Ultimately, this was a love letter to Miyazaki's craft and his fans.

Strangely familiar thumbnail

This movie felt like an acid trip

It def felt like a message for its home audience, I think the nods to the Meiji era with the great granduncle and the major transition period that was the end of WW2, encapsulated in the loss of Mahito's mother, concluding with his rejection of that vision and the acceptance of his loss, were all a very personal message.

This film put me to sleep but in a good way! From the music to the sounds, it was a symphony of relaxation. I am def using this piece if I have problems falling asleep.

Your thumbnail is REALLY similar to the thumbnail Karsten Runquist used for his video on this movie. Did you take any inspiration from him?

Going into seeing this film, my heart wanted something a bit more cathartic and triumphant. But that was the selfish fan in me. What I wanted...instead this film was moody, contemplative and not entirely clear. But also rich and beautiful and personal. And I am very pleased to have been challenged, very please to be asked by Miyazaki to think and ponder on the allegories and symbolism. To think on the nature of purposeful living and the shape of legacy. This was the fist of his films I was able to see upon release, in theaters and I am grateful to have done so. Great video, mate.

I'd like to note that this movie is also a reflection on the abuse of the studio's artists and the regret/grief felt around that. The birds largely represent that, unable to flourish due to his heavy handed approach to directing. This aspect is perhaps less talked about, but this film was the most hands off Miyazaki has ever been. From my understanding, there was no crunch, animators weren't allowed to do overtime, and the usual iron grip on style homogeneity was loosened, allowing for some really fascinating shots and style choices that better fit their respective scene's mood and tone. This movie is an acknowledgement that abusing people to make beautiful art is destructive and ultimately not worth it, proven by the fact that this movie may be the studio's best work. Anno himself commented that Miyazaki has rendered himself naked in making this movie, the vulnerable ruminations of an artist nearing the end of their life. The movie is deeply moving and everyone should see it.

The more surface level element of Mahito overcoming the grief and loss from losing his mother hit me like a truck. I was already tearing up by the end and that end credits song sent me over the edge and I would have sobbed my eyes out if I wasn't in a cinema.

Thanks for the video! This is great!

Just saw this film. It was really good! The plot was unique, the animation was phenomenal, and the voice acting was good! The pacing was slow, but I think that's what this film needed with how much was going on. There WERE parts that were confusing (not as bad as Howl's Moving Castle), but they explained what needed to be explained and that's what's important.

I feel like this was awesome for people following Miyazaki's work to see what he had to say these last 7 years. Its not as simple and direct as previous movies, nor was this another Spirited Away or Howl's moving castle. This was forcing the audience to think about loss and to see what they would come up with, just as the Grand Uncle had left a question to Mahito to ponder to see what he would arrive at. The feeling at the end of the movie is what Miyazaki wanted to give the world. We're left with these feelings that glaze our minds ever so gently to remind us about the complexities of a life lived over the years. A story that everyone can relate to in one way or another.

Great video! There is one part in the middle where the music over powered your voice but other than that this was perfect!

This is also one of the few films where he actually had a protagonist that was a boy instead of a girl

There's something fascinating about portraying raw, messy, and unhinged feelings through a medium that is incredibly meticulous and deliberate by nature.

I personally didn’t find the movie too hard to follow. In fact, I was completely alone at the theater when watching this movie. Maybe it was because of the day, the hour, and the fact that it has been in theaters for weeks in my country. But being alone allowed me to be comfortable and completely focused on the movie. And gosh, it was stunning. I left with the feeling that it wasn’t a life changing movie, such as “Only Yesterday”, but rather it was seeing something very personal for Miyazaki. A milestone (if perhaps his last step, we don’t know). But it was a historical movie, outstandingly beautiful, and I think with a clear message, specially with the direct translation of the title: you are the maker of your own life. Your legacy only matters while you’re alive, cuz that’s the only frame of time where you can mold your own story

Just saw it bro I’m so pleased ❤

It is a masterpiece. My second favorite after Spirited Away. I love Mahito's coming of age, his love for his mother and Natsuko, the wisdom of the grand uncle, how the film is left open to various interpretations, the homage to previous Ghibli films, the stunning animation, and *spoiler* the twist at the end where he realizes that he met his mother in the past. Score is magnificent as well, of course.

For me, the story was a symbolic representation of the difficulties of not only grief but abandonment and puberty in young boys when they lose a significant figure in their life. Like how Alice in Wonderland was written as a satirical critique of Victorian England conventions, so is The Boy and The Heron with WW2 Japan, with the heron representing the mischievous draw to manhood, the pelicans representing unbridled pride in war and destruction without an end, and the great-uncle representing the sad longing for lost innocence.

Great video helped me understand thanks!! Next watch should be more funn

Thank you so much! Great analysis. ❤

loved this movie, and loved how it confused me at times and forced me too talk with friends about it. I really got the same feeling of this movie as the first time i read the never ending story

Nice analysis. Your explanation that the two characters are versions of Miyazaki helps to explain a lot.

Heron is a soothing cinematic momento

Herons and cranes have been a important part of Japanese art for centuries often being found in Rinpa art.

Wonderful movie. I'm extremely glad I got to take my mom with me to see it. That combination resulted in some very strong feelings about the story

another great analysis like always 🔥

Just watched the film for the first time and really appreciate your take on it. I don't always grasp ideas and concepts so well so i really love listening to other people's experiences and understanding of films, especially when it comes to the more unconventional storytelling of Miyazaki. I'm watching it again tonight and will be going in with more of an understanding of the messaging and themes, thus making it an ever more enjoyable watch!!!

personally I loved how abstract the movie was. It felt difficult to grasp the true meaning, because to me there were heavy elements of cosmic horror. I was left sitting in the theatre not sure what I just saw, but liking how it made me feel and think to figure it out. Honestly I expect this from Ghibli movies, but this one felt especially heavy. In a way that I appreciate.

I love it, its definitely going to take a couple more watches to understand, it is some of the most futuristic, innovative, magestic, anime out there

Haven’t been able to stop thinking about this movie since watching it earlier today

finally, a youtube film analysis that isnt 2 hours long and actually makes a point

Great review! This was a great film - full of emotion and beautiful imagery. It feels like awhile since I’ve seen a movie that had a truly brave hero who doesn’t just rest in his victim status, but rather faces and overcomes the things that haunt him.

I cried at the end of this movie

I haven't seen any other Miyazaki movies but now I want to watch the rest of them. Boy and the Heron was a fascinating movie that had me engaged from the first minute to the end.

I'm linking this video in the bibliography for a college project I'm working on about Miyazaki :)

Absolutely love how the film conveys its ideas. While watching everything felt right but I couldn’t put my finger on what it meant, and I was still processing it an hour after the film was over. Personally I took it as a warning how creating worlds consumes your life. The alternate world is opportunity and ideas before they manifest, acting as a sub layer to the real. The repeated use of stars, birds and life (souls), all things that inspire us to create. Granduncle lived to create and inspire but it ultimately detached him from reality. While I completely agree it could be directed to a younger Miyazaki but I think it could be his way of telling everyone, your life is more than enough, you don’t need to create worlds.

Great video. Thank you for getting right to the point and not faffing on about irrelevant stuff. This was very insightful.

I really enjoyed this film, was really impressed by the while team who helped produce this masterpiece

"Unhinged" was the only word I could use to describe what I was seeing while watching the movie.

I just got to watch the movie today, and all throughout it, all I was thinking was "how nostalgic this is of older Ghibli films." It's music would make me tear up like it would with Fireflies, or Spirited away. But even down to that polar opposite feeling of goofiness, like... the dad just being bombarded by these monstrous parakeets that cannot be explained by any reality he would know. And all he reacts with "Well, that shits weird! Onwaaaard!" Then to the absolute hilarious exaggerated expressions in moments that should be a bit serious. You can feel the love and effort of all that made those films in this one.

Me and my family went to theatres to see this movie, and to see this movie in theatres was truly one of the most calming, chaotic, beautiful, ugly, and overall just transcendent experiences I have ever had. The complete immersion into one of Miyazaki’s worlds is one experience that I don’t think I could trade for pretty much any other cinematic experience, and though my other family members may have thought it overly confusing, or just were not accustomed to the eccentricities of Japanese animation, we could all agree that in this movie was something truly magical, even if some of my family may not have enjoyed the movie.

After viewing the film for the first time this past weekend, it was evidently clear it was going to take a few more watches to gather everything up, and I will be more than happy to do so. A truly beautiful film by a once in a life time creator.

The best Japanese film director since Akira Kurosawa passed away

I couldn't stop crying at the end because it was so symbolic of the pre existence.

I feel like the magical world trying to teach Mohito to grieve happens too quick. He lost his mother in a traumatic way in the war; it's still wartime - his dad is happily making warplane parts. A friend pointed out this could be happening in the same year. Even if it's a couple of years, is a kid not allowed to mourn and feel sad? We never see Mohito before the death, so him being quiet but otherwise helpful, exploring his new home, seemed pretty natural to me. I just thought that's how he is, a reserved kid. Now dad bonking his dead wife's sister so soon after his partner's death on the other hand...🤨

i watched it and my bf and I left the theater kinda disappointed, on the drive home we were talking about how beautiful the animation was and how interesting the ideas and characters were, but we felt like all those ideas never really came together into an over arching theme. both of us are huge Ghibli fans but nothing really resonated with us this time, no central idea. I really wanted to like this movie, did I "watch it wrong" ?