ANI-MOVIES, *Wolf Children

Studio Chizu's first anime movie under their label after they had done The Girl Who Leapt Through Time with Madhouse was Wolf Children an original story that continues Japan's regret of hunting wolves to extinction over a century ago as reflected in anime like Wolf's Reign. Mamoru Hosada directed both movies, but this was one that started Studio Chizu with character designs by Gainax founder Yoshiyuki Sadamoto who had just previously worked on Summer Wars. Wolf Children is a supernatural tale set in modern day that highlights how important the role of a mother plays in people's lives. Maquia was a good example of maternal praise, but the mother figure here should win Mother of the Millenium for all her efforts as she's the perfect example of how difficult it can be for a single parent raising a family.

College student Hana lives on her own and falls for an unnamed man who later reveals to her that he is a werewolf, and probably the last one in Japan. The two of them have a daughter named Yuki and eventually a son named Ame. The wolf man is killed after chasing a bird in his beast mode, so Hana moves and her children to a place near the mountains which is where their father claimed to come from. Hana has to fix a ramshackle old house all on her own and learn to grow her own crops since they don't have enough money for groceries. Fortunately, the neighboring farmers come around to helping her in her efforts and she manages to get a job. Meanwhile, Yuki and Ame are learning to keep their lycanthropic heritage to a minimum as they can shift between human and wolf forms but realize they need to keep that a secret, so the locals won't start chasing after them with silver bullets. Yuki goes on to become an accepted student among her peers, while Ame has trouble fitting in. A new student named Sohei discovers Yuki is a werewolf after she loses her temper around him, but he comes to respect her and keeps her secret. Ame on the other hand leaves elementary school and begins to commute with the other animals in the mountain which is directed by an old fox Ame calls Sensei. Yuki eventually decides to live as a human while Ame embraces his wolf side and becomes a protector of the forest with Hana being proud of both of them, even though the film never reveals how Yuki explains to the neighbors that her son is missing.

The main message of Wolf Children is perseverance and the willingness to endure hardships for the ones you love. Yuki is probably the single greatest mother in all of anime considering everything she does to protect her children. She has to move to a new environment, learn agriculture, get a professional job, and repair their old house mostly all by herself, plus still being a loving mother without ever becoming mad at them. There are stunning moments of pure joy that the small family have when they're on their own, specifically the scene where the children experience snow for the first time and run free through the hills as wolves while still keeping their human child mentality. Despite some of its dramatic overtones, this is a great family feature with excellent pacing that totally ensnare you. Mamoru Hosada is another one of the animators that people refer to as the next Miyazaki, similar to Makoto Shinkai, but Hosada's particular passion for coming-of-age stories have left their mark, particularly with his further productions of The Boy And The Beast, Belle, and Scarlet. Wolf Children is an emotional experience that will tug at your heartstrings and won't let go even after the end.