Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki was supposed to retire ten years ago, but he just can’t stop making movies. (Lucky us!) His newest animation is a semi-autobiographical animated fantasy about life, death, and creation, in tribute to friendship.

The Boy and the Heron tells the heartwarming story of Mahito, a 12-year-old boy who is trying to find his place in a new town after his mother’s death. His life takes a magical turn when a talking heron tells him that his mother might still be alive. Filled with hope, Mahito explores an old tower and finds himself in a different world. Through his adventure, he learns more about himself and how to cope with his feelings of loss. The film, although inspired by a 1937 novel by Genzaburo Yoshino, still maintains Miyazaki’s signature and touching craft.