Being lonely is probably one of the worst feelings that we can feel. Yes, I'm an introvert and you'll probably wonder why loneliness would bother me, well for me, loneliness isn't just the absence of the presence of other people but also the fact that you know no one will be there at your side when you need it. There are many times I'm alone, but I don't feel lonely because I know there are people out there who care for me. I rather be alone than be with who made me feel lonely. However, not everybody is fortunate to have people they can rely on, and at some point, the MC of the movie I watched yesterday experienced that.
It's my first time watching a movie directed by Mamoru Hosoda so I have no idea what to expect. I've heard a lot of good reviews about his other anime movies, but I never had a chance to check them out. However, I happened to stumble upon this in my feed, and this time I really got curious about its concept and characters, so now be with me as I share with you my review of the story of the boy who became part of the two races—the beasts and the humans, in The Boy and the Beast.
About the Anime
The Boy and the Beast (Bakemono no Ko) is an anime movie that aired last July 15, 2015. This hour and 59-minute movie was directed by Mamoru Hosoda and was animated by Studio Chizu. This an original fantasy movie that explores the themes of loss and family, and this later on had a manga and novel adaptation.
Losing her mother after a road accident, it seems Ren had also lost his father that day. He despises living with his mother's relatives, so he fled away from them and wandered on the busy streets of Shibuya. Filled with both anger and sadness, he continues to wander until he meets a mysterious man—no, not exactly a man but a beast-man named Kumatetsu. He asked Ren if he could be his apprentice which he initially rejected. However, after being chased by policemen, Ren was desperate to escape and unknowingly he followed Kumatetsu to Shibuten—a world where various beasts thrive.
Their relationship at first was rocky both because of Kumatetsu's harshness and Ren's stubbornness. Kumatetsu is certainly far from an ideal master because of his inexperience in dealing with people other than himself. Like Ren, he also grew up with no one to take care of him other than himself. Can these two lonely souls fill in the void that had been carved up their hearts? Or will they let their egos continue feeding darkness to that void until they're left with nothing but loneliness?
Its concept really fascinated me because it's been some time since I last watched a fantasy anime. The plot follows the usual shounen-like backstory—the MC losing a mother or both parents then a master will raise them. The first half of the story followed a steady and gradual progress of their relationship as a master and apprentice which later on evolved into something more familial. I really like how they portrayed the gradual build-up and improvement of their relationship. It may be the usual love-hate relationship, but I liked how they delivered those scenes humorously and touchingly.
However, I don't know if it's just me, but I found the pacing in the later parts fast and really rushed. I know it's probably a way to balance out its slow start, however, I felt it would have been delivered well if it were delivered in a gradual pace—especially the part where he went back to human world. I think that those scenes would have more depth if they're slowly unfolded. Worse, it gets more rushed as the end gets near. That part has the main conflict and I think it shouldn't be rushed. Also, the introduction of the real villain in the last minutes felt off. Of 'course there are subtle hints that he'll end up like that, but I just don't find them that convincing.
Anyway, despite the rushed end, I was still satisfied with its end, however, how it was delivered was certainly a different matter. From the beast to the human characters, all of them were somehow portrayed in a quirky and relatable way. Their struggles were something I can relate to, and that's one of the aspects I like about this movie. Also, I was, at some point, hooked up on how those characters achieved their character development. They aren't that complete change for the best, but I find it heartwarming to watch how they unconsciously improved as the movie went on.
As for its art style, it isn't like the new ones that are full of details, but it effectively delivered the emotions that the characters ought to portray. Although the visuals aren't that stunning, I still find it memorable. Most of the character designs weren't meant to stand out—except Kumatetsu's of 'course. With his subdued red fur that complements his brightly colored katana, he's really an eye-catching character and that design certainly fits how he should have been remembered. The colors that were used were mostly subdued or pastels, and they're easy on the eyes and surprisingly comforting. The animation was also nice, and it definitely made me enjoy watching those fight scenes.
Meanwhile, its soundtrack is as fine as its art style. It doesn't have that many songs in it, but the way they're able to utilize the background sound somehow made up for it. I was amazed at how they're able to use them to amplify more the emotions—especially that whale part! I really felt goosebumps while listening to its sounds, and it's somehow both enthralling and creepy to hear. Also, the ending song did match well with the overall story of the anime, and it really kept me until the end of the credits.
Overall, my rating for this anime 8.5/10! The premise and plot were promising, but it fell short on how the end was executed. As I said, the last parts felt really rushed, but anyway, aside from that I enjoyed watching it. Certain parts somehow featured romantic subplot, which I thought at first was quite trivial—considering what the story was all about—but it turns out their connection is one the important things that will guide the MC to be the better version of himself.
I like that kind of romance, although it is so subtle, it's so meaningful and I'm really satisfied with how the end also hinted a promising development in his life—romance included hehe. So if you're up for a fantasy movie that has a bunch of relatable characters, a pinch of romance, and a ton of heartwarming scenes then this review is your sign to check out one of Mamoru Hosoda's movies, The Boy and the Beast.
Before I end this review, I'll share with you its trailer, so—
Have you watched this anime already? Or is this your first time encountering it? If you have comments about this anime feel free to share them. That's all for now, minna-san! I hope you enjoyed reading my review.
Arigatou and tanoshinde ne~
The pictures that didn't have source were screenshots from the movie while the last picture was edited in Canva.
