The Boy & The Beast Review

The latest feature film from award-winning Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, Wolf Children): When Kyuta, a young orphan living on the streets of Shibuya, stumbles into a fantastic world of beasts, he's taken in by Kumatetsu, a gruff, rough-around-the-edges warrior beast who's been searching for the perfect apprentice. Despite their constant bickering, Kyuta and Kumatetsu begin training together and slowly form a bond as surrogate father and son. But when a deep darkness threatens to throw the human and beast worlds into chaos, the strong bond between this unlikely family will be put to ultimate test-a final showdown that will only be won if the two can finally work together using all of their combined strength and courage.

The Boy & The Beast is truly Mamoru Hosada greatest work to date. What makes The Boy & The Beast such a successful film is the well written story, the fleshed out characters, brilliant score and amazing animation. As stated in the synopsis above the story follows Kyuta a young orphan boy who lost his mother and his father disappeared. This leaves Kyuta refusing to live with his mother's family and runs away. Now on the streets Kyuta encounters a beast name Kumatetsu who offers him a new life as his student. I won't go into further more details of the plot due to spoilers. However I will say that I was surprised how the relationship of Kyuta and Kumatetsu took an emotional turn as the film goes on. The relationship between Kyuta and Kumatetsu is a very heartwarming. Here we have two different personalities but at the same time they very much alike. Regardless of the constant arguments, differences you find out these two need each other. Kyuta needs a family, guidance and a place to stay. Kumatetsu needs to grow up and learn responsibility.  The film has three thematic points it once to get across. One theme is the importance of family. Family necessary doesn't come from bloodlines but from people who care about you. Kyuta mother died and his father was a no show but Kumatetsu took him in and shows that bonds can come from anyone or anything. The second theme is purity and darkness. Mamoru Hosada uses the two world greatly. The animal world views humans as this imperfections and have darkness in their hearts that can turn them into monsters. Kyuta battles this theme during the 3rd act and the way it's presented is fresh to see. The final theme explore is growth. All characters in this film even supporting cast have at least some change towards the ending of the film. Kyuta and Kumatetsu are not the only ones who grow in this film. Supporting cast remembers such as Kaede who is Kyuta love interest in his older years, gets a full backstory and conclusion to her obstacles by time the film is over. The film succeeds in capturing the spirit of the themes, setting up a great concept of two worlds and pulls it off in two hours. My only nitpick will be the 3rd act conflict felt shoehorn in there. One particular character turn to darkness felt random especially after he was good throughout the first two acts.

I saw this film in English Dub and this might be Funimation best to date. Each actor really brought there A game for there respective roles. Luci Christian did an excellent job capturing Young Kyuta. She nails the adolescent innocent, emotional depth Kyuta feels of his parents absent is a touching. Eric Vale who plays older Kyuta was the perfect match of capturing a struggle between light and darkness and showcasing the internal struggle of Kyuta wanting knowledge for self and his responsibility to Kumatetsu. latest feature film from award-winning Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, Wolf Children): When Kyuta, a young orphan living on the streets of Shibuya, stumbles into a fantastic world of beasts, he's taken in by Kumatetsu, a gruff, rough-around-the-edges warrior beast who's been searching for the perfect apprentice. Despite their constant bickering, Kyuta and Kumatetsu begin training together and slowly form a bond as surrogate father and son. But when a deep darkness threatens to throw the human and beast worlds into chaos, the strong bond between this unlikely family will be put to ultimate test-a final showdown that will only be won if the two can finally work together using all of their combined strength and courage.

The Boy & The Beast is truly Mamoru Hosada greatest work to date. What makes The Boy & The Beast such a successful film is the well written story, the fleshed out characters, brilliant score and amazing animation. As stated in the synopsis above the story follows Kyuta a young orphan boy who lost his mother and his father disappeared. This leaves Kyuta refusing to live with his mother's family and runs away. Now on the streets Kyuta encounters a beast name Kumatetsu who offers him a new life as his student. I won't go into further more details of the plot due to spoilers. However I will say that I was surprised how the relationship of Kyuta and Kumatetsu took an emotional turn as the film goes on. The relationship between Kyuta and Kumatetsu is a very heartwarming. Here we have two different personalities but at the same time they very much alike. Regardless of the constant arguments, differences you find out these two need each other. Kyuta needs a family, guidance and a place to stay. Kumatetsu needs to grow up and learn responsibility.  The film has three thematic points it once to get across. One theme is the importance of family. Family necessary doesn't come from bloodlines but from people who care about you. Kyuta mother died and his father was a no show but Kumatetsu took him in and shows that bonds can come from anyone or anything. The second theme is purity and darkness. Mamoru Hosada uses the two world greatly. The animal world views humans as this imperfections and have darkness in their hearts that can turn them into monsters. Kyuta battles this theme during the 3rd act and the way it's presented is fresh to see. The final theme explore is growth. All characters in this film even supporting cast have at least some change towards the ending of the film. Kyuta and Kumatetsu are not the only ones who grow in this film. Supporting cast remembers such as Kaede who is Kyuta love interest in his older years, gets a full backstory and conclusion to her obstacles by time the film is over. The film succeeds in capturing the spirit of the themes, setting up a great concept of two worlds and pulls it off in two hours. My only nitpick will be the 3rd act conflict felt shoehorn in there. One particular character turn to darkness felt random especially after he was good throughout the first two acts.

I saw this film in English Dub and this might be Funimation best to date. Each actor really brought there A game for there respective roles. Luci Christian did an excellent job capturing Young Kyuta. She nails the adolescent innocent, emotional depth Kyuta feels of his parents absent is a touching. Eric Vale who plays older Kyuta was the perfect match of capturing a struggle between light and darkness and showcasing the internal struggle of Kyuta wanting knowledge for self and his responsibility to Kumatetsu. John Swasey takes Kumatetsu and runs for the touchdown. Swasey gives a fun, energetic performance and serious when it needs to be. Other talent such as Bryn Apprill, Monica Rial, Alex Organ, Ian Sinclair, Sean Hennigan, Morgan Berry, Austin Tindle, Brittney Karbowski and Josh Grelle all deliver great performances as well. The acting is fun, energetic and serious and hits the emotional depth when it needs too.

Finally the direction and animation is goregous. Mamoru Hosada has his own style and identity which I really enjoy with his anime. He has his own stamp that says this is mine. The shots, world design and character design are great to look out. The great use of bright colors, inspired locations and more practical use more than CGI will have anime fans appreciate the great detail he put in. The Boy & The Beast is a great film that has something for everyone. Like the Funimation slogan goes you should be watching and this anime is one you should definitely be watching.