Wolf Children 4K 2012

You know, Japanese animation is an amazing thing, capable of producing both the most absurd and indecent things, as well as works that are striking in their beauty and depth. ‘Wolf Children’ definitely belongs to the latter category.

You can say all you want that anime zombifies children, corrupts morals, and brings evil into the world, but just one film like Ame and Yuki redeems the sins of hundreds of failed works.

Is it possible to create such a fragile, man-made harmony on screen? A world that may be located somewhere close to us and at the same time so unattainable. Full of joy and patience towards loved ones, love and loyalty to the object of one's love. But most importantly, filled with admiration and respect for the nature that surrounds us. All this is combined in an incredible way in Mamoru Hosoda's creation.

And if a superficial glance sees only another fantastic tale about werewolves, a more attentive viewer will see a coming-of-age story. In the children's painful realization of whether they are humans or wolves, viewers will hear the questions that torment them: “Who am I in this world?” and “How do I find my place?” “What do you do if you are not like those around you?” “Are you right in choosing your path?”

And just think, when touching on such serious questions, the director does not resort to some indigestible philosophical parable. No. He shows us in an accessible, simple, and ingenious way that by listening to ourselves and treating the world around us with love, we are capable of making both ourselves and others happy.

This is a very bright, very inspiring, almost exemplary piece of Japanese animation, which I sincerely recommend to everyone without exception, both fans of the genre and staunch skeptics.