“Wolf Children” is a nature film that is an ode to family. Or - is it - a family film that is an ode to nature?

Wavering of identity is a key theme in Mamoru Hosodoa’s fantasy fable. But the anime itself is never less than certain that the answers to all questions lie in love... in all of its many, many forms. 

“Wolf Children” tells the story of a woman that falls in love with a werewolf (more or less), and has two half human/half wolf children with him. After he dies suddenly, she is left to raise the siblings alone. 

Hosoda uses the - quite literally shifting - identities of the children as a metaphor for changing self-definition…

To my child,

You may never exist. Or maybe, through some miracle, a partner will come along that will help bring you to the world. Either way, I want you to know some things.

The first and most important is that I love you and will never stop loving you. Even if you never come to be, I will keep the idea of you alive in my heart and soul. Perhaps that's dramatic. I don't mind. I want you to exist, even in this increasingly hateful dystopia ravaged by climate change and greed. I would let you know first thing that my love for you will override that world. I would fight hell and back to make you feel safe,…

As parents here will tell you, raising kids can be a laborous job. So you can imagine the burden and how difficult would be to raise werewolves children. This concept could easily go on so many different directions, from comedy to even horror, but Mamoru Hosoda chooses instead to go for a fantastical and very endearing tale of motherhood and identity.

The animation does a great job capturing the tone of the film, picturing the wolves not like gruesome, horrible looking monsters but real-looking animals, with the little kids being overly cute that will make more than one go and say "awww." Another thing that caught my attention was the way it was animated, like it had this digital, almost…

Anime Marches On! 2018 Challenge
1/5 from the 2010's

I was quite taken with Mamoru Hosoda’s marvelous “Summer Wars”, so I figured I'd kick off my Anime Marches On! challenge with his much praised follow up. I'm glad I did. An excellent film, beautifully rendered and told...and given extra weight for me by watching this through a parent's point of view.

The film is narrated by Yuki, who tells the story of her mother Hana…a college student who falls for a mysterious guy in her class, only to discover he's a lycanthrope. Hana’s acceptance and unconditional love for him is at the core of who she is, as well as the film itself. The couple soon have children (Yuki and…

A film like Wolf Children just may not be feasibly told in the realm of live-action films. Good animation takes you somewhere else and does things not possible any other places, as any art should be harnessed to its full potential and made with intentions of breaking barriers and achieving full immersion. Wolf Children is the most mesmerizingly cute and splendid family drama ever created but on the other hand it’s the most tear inducing and heartbreaking one too.

What would your mom do for you? Everything.

Welcome your genuine self, support others, find your own path and along the way do what makes you content. It’s a lovely message.

The animation is gorgeous especially backgrounds, characters are less detailed…

“Wolf Children” is a nature film that is an ode to family. Or - is it - a family film that is an ode to nature?

Wavering of identity is a key theme in Mamoru Hosodoa’s fantasy fable. But the anime itself is never less than certain that the answers to all questions lie in love... in all of its many, many forms. 

“Wolf Children” tells the story of a woman that falls in love with a werewolf (more or less), and has two half human/half wolf children with him. After he dies suddenly, she is left to raise the siblings alone. 

Hosoda uses the - quite literally shifting - identities of the children as a metaphor for changing self-definition…

I was prepping myself for how sad it would be, and yeah that whole first 28 minutes, with the relationship starting, and living in the city, trying to raise 2 rambunctious children, gosh it's so sad/adorable/and relatable at the same time. Hell this movie even has an "Up montage!"

And when we get to the countryside and them living that life now, its kind of like a quick sigh of relief from all the crying you did as you know watch some slice of life incidents with these kids getting older, mainly going to school and figuring out their own paths in life. And at the heart of it all is the mother "Hana", god she's so kind and hard-working…