Thursday, January 8, 2026

The Boy and the Beast

The Boy and the Beast (Mamoru Hosoda, 2015)
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Rating: AQ=6, AP=6 / Comfy Combo
Scale O=3, Scale P=3, Scale Q=3, Scale R=2, Scale S=2

Anime, Coming of Age, Action, Adventure

I've never thought what it would be like to be raised in a world of gods with a god as my guardian and mentor. It's a fun concept. The story is charming--I loved watching the characters grow and really wanted to see them succeed and gain each others' respect. The Boy and the Beast also expresses what humanity has and lacks through the characters of  Kyuta/Ren and Ichirōhiko in a way I've not quite seen before. And the ending is bittersweet and beautiful. I love the idea that your mentor, teacher, father, loved one, lives on in your heart as a sword--your strength.

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