Every Parent Must Watch This Heart-Warning 95%-Rated Fantasy Anime From 'Mirai' Creator
This is more than just an anime, it's a whole world full of light and wisdom that will remain in your heart forever.
Wolf Children is the work of Mamoru Hosoda, the director of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Mirai, both of which continue to top lists of the best animations of all time, while the former remains mostly overlooked.
It is not just a beautiful fairy tale, but also a poignant and wise parable that speaks to anyone who has ever pondered love, responsibility, and the difficult gift of letting go.
What Is 'Wolf Children' About?
The story begins with Hana, an ordinary student who falls in love with a mysterious young man. He reveals that he is the last descendant of the extinct Japanese wolf and possesses the ability to transform into a beast.
Hana accepts him, and the couple has two children, Yuki and Ame, who inherit their father's dual nature. After her husband's tragic death, Hana is left alone with her children, who cannot yet control their transformations.
To ensure their safety and freedom, she leaves the bustle of the city behind and moves to an abandoned house in the remote countryside.
'Wolf Children' Is a Purely Authorial Work Based on the Personal Experiences of Mamoru Hosoda
Wolf Children was the first project released by Studio Chizu, a personal studio founded by Hosoda to promote creative freedom. In this anime, the director acted as the sole creator, serving as the author of the concept, screenwriter, and director.
He drew inspiration from his own life. At the time of the movie's creation, Hosoda and his wife were only planning to have a child, so he closely observed his friends' families, asking about their experiences.
This allowed him to avoid clichés and create an incredibly authentic portrayal of motherhood where sublime happiness is inseparable from everyday hardships and anxieties.
'Wolf Children' Is a Touching and Sincere Tale of Family, Love, and Coming of Age
Despite its fantastical premise, Wolf Children is first and foremost a masterpiece of the slice-of-life genre. Hosoda poetically captures the routine of maternal chores: weeding the garden, cooking, and taking care of the kids.
Through the repetitiveness of everyday life, viewers sense the passage of time and the preciousness of every moment. The fantasy serves as a subtle metaphor for growing up and choosing one's own path.
The director offers no easy answers, respectfully and tenderly showing how Yuki and Ame seek and find their own unique paths, guided by their wise and loving mother.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Wolf Children'?
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Wolf Children has 95% from critics and 92% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.1/10.
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On Letterboxd, Wolf Children scored 4.1/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Wolf Children'?
Wolf Children is available to stream on HBO Max.
