Just rewatched The Boy and the Heron

Originally saw it in theaters, had mixed feelings about it. This time, I absolutely loved it. I think it's brilliant. I love that it doesn't hold your hand; compared to other ghiblis, it reminds me most of Spirited Away: this huge amazing world you are just thrown into with the main character.

I loved that there is so much subtlety to the film and symbolism, yet there is obviously a very fleshed out story behind it all; you can enjoy the film without understanding it, yet understanding it elevates it even more.

Also loved how nothing is black and white in it. So many moments, scenes and characters doing good and bad, kind and cruel things.

Not going to write out all my interpretations because I want to sleep, but I wanted to share my love for this film since when I was just looking up theories about it and such on reddit I found a bunch of people that don't like this movie, say it's beautiful nonsense, blah blah blah - many from this ghibli sub, but I have to wonder how people can think this movie sucks while still loving his other films? To me it was very similar his other films, but honestly felt more mature.