Director: Mamoru Hosoda,
Starring: Aoi Miyazaki, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Takao Osawa, David Matranga, Haru Kuroki, Jad Saxton, Yukito Nishii, Micah Solusod, Amon Kabe, Alison Viktorin, Momoka Ono, Lara Woodhull, Takuma Hiraoka, Jason Liebert,
Running Time: 117 Minutes
Certificate: 12
When you consider that Mamoru Hosoda started his directorial career with Digimon, then it’s kind of surprising that the man is now considered the deserved successor to the Miyazaki throne. Hososa has already crafted two spectacular animations in the form of THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME and SUMMER WARS, with his latest, WOLF CHILDREN, being every bit as remarkable as his previous work. Taking on a werewolf love story, the actual romance is dispensed with early on through tragic and ambiguous circumstances. This is a love story between a mother and her two children, as well as exploring the different paths children take in the course of their lives.
Hana is a young woman at University who ends up falling for a stranger who just happens to be a werewolf. Unlike traditional werewolves though, he is in complete control of his powers. The couple have two children, but after the tragic death of the mysterious wolf man, Hana is left to raise the children by herself. If raising two children along wasn’t enough, they also lack the ability to control their transformations. As with any parent, Hana is left with a multitude of difficult situations in which she must restrict her children in order to keep them safe, but also realises she holding them back. It’s a no-win situation, and one that is easy to relate to.
As the children grow up, the daughter leans toward her human side while her younger brother takes comfort in the woods that surround their home. Seeing the beautifully plotted character arcs is the key to WOLF CHILDREN’s success. WOLF CHILDREN is a very quiet film that gets to grips with the internal struggle of its protagonists through visuals more than dialogue. Seeing the son, Ame, running freely through the forest captures the sheer elation he feels, before cutting to the mother and showing her pain at possibly losing her son. The constant struggle between holding on to loved ones and letting them go is a very powerful theme, and Hosoda handles it with a non-judgmental tone that explores every angle.
The setting, focus on children, and themes centred on families, made this a film that is similar in many ways to MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO. It has just as much charm and beauty, but the added pathos makes it more appealing for a slightly older audience. Every scene is animated with clarity and great attention to detail, with each shot feeling alive. The subtle voice work from both original and English language dubs serve the visuals and script well. Anyone looking for a heartfelt, thoughtful, and patient film should look no further than this instant classic.
WOLF CHILDREN is released on DVD and Blu-ray on 23rd December via Manga Entertainment.
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