#ako

the boy and the heron has a wisdom none of miyazaki's other final films do. it illuminates so much imagery from his previous movies as the themes that shaped his career and his personal life. it finally closes the never-ending chapter of his childhood traumas, and it's a folk tale for his family and animation industry descendants, whether or not they carry on his torch or light their own fires. and hayao is both mahito and the old man because after decades playing god in his high tower, he's finally choosing to go home.