The language learning app Memrise is launching a language course inspired by the The Boy and the Heron Japanese trailer. The course encourages repetition so that users can recognize keywords by both the kanji character and sound. Although short, the course features a range of similar Ghibli-themed courses, including Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle. Memrise CEO Steven Toy statement announcing the new course reads:
Foreign films are a bridge between cultures, and offer audiences an important opportunity to connect with each other, consider ideas and encounter languages they wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to engage with. Time and time again, we’ve seen evidence that film is a motivator for language learning, and Studio Ghibli, as a studio that is beloved by audiences all over the world, has inspired many people to begin learning Japanese, and about Japanese culture. We at Memrise want to help fans build on that inspiration, and give them opportunities to learn alongside the films they love.
After getting to grips with Memrise’s The Boy and the Heron language course, English-speaking fans can follow this up with the recent English dubbed trailer released by GKIDS. The cast was previously announced and includes:
- Christian Bale as Shoichi Maki
- Dave Bautista as The Parakeet King
- Gemma Chan as Natsuko
- Willem Dafoe as Noble Pelican
- Karen Fukuhara as Lady Himi
The Boy and the Heron has already begun its international rollout. The film dropped in Australia and New Zealand on December 7 and premieres in the United States on December 8. The film is described:
A young boy named Mahito
yearning for his mother
ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.
There, death comes to an end,
and life finds a new beginning.
A semi-autobiographical fantasy
about life, death, and creation, in tribute to friendship,
from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.
Memrise isn’t the only one trying to bring over the Ghibli magic. An interview from The Legend of Zelda live-action director also cites its influence on his upcoming film adaptation.
Source: Press Release
© 2023 Studio Ghibli ©2015-2023 GKIDS, INC.
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