Published on 11:44 AM, June 04, 2023

Studio Ghibli to release Miyazaki's final masterpiece with no trailer or image

Photo: Collected

Good news for Studio Ghibli fans, Hayao Miyazaki's final "How Do You Live?" will be released in Japanese theaters this summer. However, the makers have used a unique strategy, they are not going to release its trailers or new photos until the film is released. 

The makers are going to keep the specifics under wraps.

The plot follows Junichi Hondas, a high school student negotiating the intricacies of life. It is based on a 1937 Japanese novel. In contrast to Ghibli's magical narratives, this picture dives into the reality of human existence, evoking comparisons to Miyazaki's "The Wind Rises." 

While the North American release date is unknown, it's safe to assume that the film's popularity will lead to an eventual international distribution.

Here's a synopsis of the novel's plot: "How Do You Live?" introduces Copper, a fifteen-year-old boy dealing with the recent death of his father. As he looks out over Tokyo, he begins to ponder serious concerns about existence itself. The story alternates between Copper's voyage and his uncle's journal entries, revealing fundamental truths about the world we live in.

Toshio Suzuki, the film's producer, just announced that there will be no more trailers, pictures, or promotions for "How Do You Live?" Ghibli's only official material will be an enigmatic teaser poster featuring a bird. With this billed as Miyazaki's farewell film, the excitement around its release is bound to create magic on-screen.