Plot: What is this story about? A young boy named Mahito, missing his mother, travels to a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death ends and life begins anew. A semi-autobiographical fantasy of life, death and creation, paying homage to friendship, created by Hayao Miyazaki. Who makes The Boy and the Heron: Crew List A behind-the-scenes look at the crew and production team of The Boy and the Heron. The film’s director, Hayao Miyazaki, most recently directed Lupine III, The Castle of Cagliostro and Princess Mononoke’s 20th Anniversary.