While the Second World War rages, the teenage Mahito, haunted by his mother's tragic death, is relocated from Tokyo to the serene rural home of his new stepmother Natsuko, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to the boy's mother. As he tries to adjust, this strange new world grows even stranger following the appearance of a persistent gray heron, who perplexes and bedevils Mahito, dubbing him the "long-awaited one." 2024 Golden Globe winner for Best Animated Film. Best Picture Award at the Florida Film Critics Circle, Best Animated Film at the New York Film Critics Circle. Best Animated Film and Best Score at Florida Film Critics Circle, and Best Animated Film at the Alliance of Women Film Journalists’ EDA Awards event, Best Animated Award at the LA Film Critics Association Awards, and the Best Animated Film Award at the Boston Society of Film Critics.