Hayao Miyazaki deserves a shrine here on Best Seat on the Couch, and The Boy and the Heron is his final masterpiece and bookend to an illustrious career—or would be, if he actually confirmed his retirement. There's like 5 different metaphorical through lines and yet another stacked English voice cast in this Ghibli film, but perhaps the strongest message that comes through is an allegory for Miyazaki himself, and how a couple of characters in this film could be representative of how Miyazaki feels about his career, his art, and his legacy, now that it's coming to an end. It's a beautiful, emotional, thought-provoking film that is a must-watch for a Miyazaki-Ghibli film. Content warning: SPOILERS, strong language.