"How Do You Live?": A moving story and its reviews

"How Do You Live?" - A Deeper Look at Hayao Miyazaki's Latest Work

On July 14, 2023, the long-awaited latest work by director Hayao Miyazaki, "How Do You Live?", was released in theaters nationwide. This work was animated by Studio Ghibli and distributed by Toho. It is an original anime work with one episode and 124 minutes in length, and was created by director Hayao Miyazaki himself. Here, we will take a closer look at the appeal and background of this work, as well as its evaluation.

Overview

"How Do You Live?" is a work that depicts a theme that director Hayao Miyazaki has been working on for many years. The story is set in Japan after World War II and depicts the process of a boy growing up. The protagonist, a boy, loses his family due to the effects of the war and searches for a way to live in difficult circumstances. In the process, he meets various people and begins to think deeply about his own way of life.

story

The story begins with the protagonist, a young boy, after losing his family in the war. He is taken in by his relatives and begins life in a new environment. However, life there is far from peaceful. The boy searches for the meaning of life as he deals with his relationships with the people around him and his own inner conflicts.

In the middle of the story, the boy discovers a secret place. It is a place filled with memories of the war, and there he learns about past events and people's thoughts. This discovery has a profound impact on his heart, and it becomes the trigger for him to search for his own path in life.

In the end, the boy finds his own way in life and overcomes difficult circumstances. In the process, he receives support from many people and learns to believe in his own strength. This story deeply depicts the misery of war, the strength of humanity, and the meaning of life.

character

The protagonist, a young boy, is deeply scarred by the experience of losing his family in the war. However, he strives to overcome those scars and find his own way in life. His process of growth will deeply move the audience.

The story also features many characters who support the boy. Each of them has a different background and has a different impact on the boy. In particular, an elderly woman whom the boy meets at his relatives' house shows deep affection for him and becomes his emotional support. Many other characters enrich the story, including an elderly person with memories of the war and friends who are in the same difficult situations as the boy.

Visuals and Music

The visuals of "How Do You Live?" are drawn with the beautiful drawings and colors that are unique to Studio Ghibli. In particular, the scenes in the secret places filled with memories of the war are an exquisite blend of realistic depictions and a fantastical atmosphere, and have the power to draw the audience in. In addition, the natural landscapes and cityscapes are also depicted with great attention to detail, enriching the worldview of the work.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of the film. The composer is Joe Hisaishi, who is well known for his work with Studio Ghibli. His beautiful melodies deeply express the emotions of the story and move the hearts of the audience. The music in the scenes depicting the boy's growth is particularly moving and touching.

Theme and Message

"How Do You Live?" depicts the misery of war, the strength of humanity, and the meaning of life. Through this work, director Hayao Miyazaki appeals for the importance of not letting the memories of war fade away and passing them on to the next generation. It also depicts the difficulty of finding one's own way of life even in difficult circumstances, and the value of doing so.

The theme of the work is "the meaning of life." As the boy grows up, he tries to find his own way in life. In the process, he receives support from many people and learns to believe in his own strength. This theme deeply moves the audience and has the power to make them think about their own way of life.

Recognition and Awards

"How Do You Live?" received high praise immediately after its release. It was especially praised for the depth of its story, the development of its characters, and its beautiful visuals and music. Director Hayao Miyazaki's powerful message also touched many audiences.

This work has won numerous film awards, especially in the animation category, where Studio Ghibli's technical skill and artistry have been highly praised. Director Hayao Miyazaki himself has also received many awards in recognition of his achievements as a director.

Recommendations and how to watch

"How Do You Live?" is the latest work by director Hayao Miyazaki and is one of Studio Ghibli's greatest works. This work, which depicts the misery of war, the strength of humans, and the meaning of life, will deeply move the audience. In particular, the scenes that make us think about our own way of life will resonate with many people.

To watch this film, you can enjoy it at the cinema on a large screen with high quality sound. It is also available on DVD and Blu-ray, so you can watch it at home. It is also available on streaming services, so you can watch it at your own convenience.

Related works and recommendations

If you enjoyed "How Do You Live?", we recommend other works by director Hayao Miyazaki. In particular, "Spirited Away" and "The Wind Rises" are also deeply moving works that depict war and human strength. Also, other works by Studio Ghibli are attractive for their beautiful images, music, and deep themes, so be sure to check them out.

I also recommend other war-themed animated works. In particular, Grave of the Fireflies and In This Corner of the World are deeply moving works that depict the misery of war and the strength of human beings. Please be sure to watch these works as well.

Conclusion

"How Do You Live?" is the latest work by director Hayao Miyazaki and can be said to be Studio Ghibli's masterpiece. This work, which depicts the misery of war, the strength of human beings, and the meaning of life, will deeply move the audience. In particular, the scene that makes you think about your own way of life will resonate with many people. Please watch this work and experience the emotion.